Switzerland
I am a geomechanics specialist with over 10 years of experience spanning academia, consultancy, and international infrastructure projects. My expertise lies in the characterisation and sustainable management of geomaterials (soils, rock, concrete), with a focus on excavation spoil reuse, circular economy solutions, and environmental compliance. Currently, I serve as an advisor on excavated material management for the Future Circular Collider (FCC) study at CERN, within the Occupational Health & Safety and Environmental Protection Unit. In this role, I oversee external consultants and contractors, prepare calls for tenders, analyse geotechnical data from subsurface investigations, and work closely with design teams to ensure alignment between engineering plans and excavation material strategies. I also contribute to the eco-design of modular treatment plants, supporting sustainable reuse pathways across Switzerland and France. My academic background includes a PhD in Granulometry (University of Edinburgh) and a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (NTU Athens), where I developed advanced material testing and modelling approaches to improve fire-resistant concrete and hydrophobic soils. Alongside my research, I have extensive teaching experience, international collaborations, and a strong publication record. Passionate about bridging research, engineering practice, and environmental stewardship, I thrive in interdisciplinary teams and projects where innovation and sustainability are central.
Serving as the main advisor on excavated material management for the Future Circular Collider study at CERN. My work focuses on developing strategies for the reuse, disposal, and sustainable treatment of excavation spoil. I oversee the work of external consultants and contractors, prepare calls for tenders, and ensure that technical deliverables meet project needs. I work closely with civil engineers at CERN so that the design of the infrastructure aligns with the excavation material management plan. I also analyse geotechnical data from subsurface investigations to better understand the properties of excavated material and develop viable strategies for storage, transport, reuse, and disposal in line with Swiss, French, and EU regulations. In parallel, I contribute to the eco-design of modular treatment plants, supporting circular economy principles and sustainable construction practices. This role combines my academic expertise in geomaterials (PhD, MSCA Fellowship) with my industrial consultancy experience, bridging technical design, project management, and environmental compliance in collaboration with international partners.
Promoted to Lead Geotechnical Engineer after only four months, managing investigations into shallow landslides and erosion processes. Updated laboratory testing protocols for soils, rocks, and concrete to align with NF/EN standards. Acted as an expert advisor on excavated material reuse in embankments (Patras–Pyrgos highway, AKTOR S.A.) and collaborated on tunnel safety design solutions, including a custom siphon flame trap.
My research focused on developing a new type of fire-resistant, fibre-reinforced concrete to improve tunnel lining performance and post-fire structural stability. To study the material across multiple scales, I combined numerical modelling (Discrete Element Method) with advanced experimental techniques including fire testing and X-ray computed tomography. I investigated how fibre size, distribution, and orientation affect the strength and fire resistance of concrete linings, employing full-field imaging pre- and post-fire, a novel approach in the field. I also created a DEM model validated for the first time with quantitative 3D experimental data across different length-scales. As part of the fellowship, I supervised a PhD candidate and an intern applying machine learning for fibre and aggregate identification in XCT images. The project was funded by the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship. I was invited to deliver a plenary talk at DEM 9 (2023, Erlangen, Germany), served on the scientific committee of the ITA-AITES World Tunnel Congress (2023, Athens), and presented a peer-reviewed paper at the 9th Hellenic Conference on Geotechnical Engineering.
My postdoctoral research focused on the hydro-mechanical behaviour of chemically induced water-repellent soils, exploring their potential as an innovative barrier material. I combined experimental testing (ESEM, XCT with a custom saturation cell) and numerical modelling (Surface Evolver) to study liquid bridges in granular media. Alongside my research, I mentored three PhD students (including a manager at Nippon Steel, Japan) and co-supervised an MEng thesis. I presented at E-UNSAT 2020 (Portugal) and a UK travelling workshop where I received the Best Abstract Award. I published two peer-reviewed conference papers and a journal article, was a finalist in the STEM for Britain competition, and developed international collaborations. In parallel, I served on the organising committee of the UK–China International Particle Technology Forum VII, managing editorial tasks, website and promotional materials, industrial sponsors, and logistics for 200+ international participants. I also acted as a guest editor for MDPI Symmetry on a special issue on multi-physics phenomena.
As a Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering, I organised and taught undergraduate courses, prepared new lecture and assessment material, and introduced tabletop experiments and interactive quizzes. I also contributed to teaching in soil mechanics, foundation engineering, civil engineering design, and surveying, supporting both classroom and fieldwork activities. During COVID, I led the development of high-quality virtual lab sessions for geotechnical engineering, ensuring students achieved practical learning outcomes, which earned me a teaching award nomination. I co-supervised an MEng thesis in collaboration with Dr Brinkgreve (TU Delft/Plaxis BV), as well as a summer research placement that resulted in a co-authored publication.
My PhD research focused on the particle breakage of natural sands and manufactured zeolites under controlled loading (oedometer and triaxial compression), combining X-ray tomography with DEM modelling. I developed novel algorithms to achieve the first spatio-temporal tracking of breakage, providing quantitative 3D data for model calibration. The work led to international collaboration with Georgia Tech, presentations at major conferences including Powders & Grains 2017, and recognition with a certificate of achievement for one of my publications. Overall, I published 3 journal papers, 2 peer-reviewed conference papers, and presented at 8 conferences. My PhD was fully funded by EPSRC and the International Fine Particles Research Institute, with additional grants from the Carnegie Trust and Moray Endowment Fund. I also trained for a year at Laboratoire 3SR, Grenoble, and acted as a STEM ambassador, engaging in school visits and science fairs across Scotland.
During my PhD, I worked as a Tutor & Demonstrator for undergraduate modules in soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering. I led laboratory demonstrations on geotechnical testing (Atterberg limits, permeability, triaxial and direct shear tests), supported coursework through report marking and lab handouts, and carried out risk assessments. For these contributions, I received the Best Tutor & Demonstrator Award in Civil & Environmental Engineering, voted by the student body.