Engineering Success

Engineering Success interviews Dr Margi Vilnay a Lecturer in Structural Engineering at the University of Dundee.

Dr Margi Vilnay is a Lecturer in Structural Engineering and the Director of Public Engagement and Outreach for the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Dundee.

Margi completed her BSc (Hons) followed by a Research MSc (Cum Laude) in Structural Engineering, investigating the protection of historic structures as part of an EU funded project. Subsequently, Margi obtained her PhD from Heriot Watt University looking at assessing the behaviour of reinforced concrete columns under blast loads. Margi then went on to work as a structural engineer in the oil and gas industry before returning to academia. Margi joined the University of Dundee in her current roles in 2020.

Margi holds a postgraduate certificate in higher education and is a senior fellow of the higher education academy. She is a chartered member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and is the Education and Inspiration lead for the local branch. She is also the first woman to be elected Vice-Chair of COMEC (Council of Military Education Committees).

Margi is committed to increasing the number of young people engaging in STEM through public engagement and outreach activities, and in particular, the number of women entering the engineering profession. She has led several initiatives in those areas, including the first International Women in Engineering Day events in Dundee, Mentoring and outreach schemes.

Engineering Success interviews Dr Emma Yhnell a Neuroscientist and Senior Lecturer based in Cardiff, Wales.

Emma is an award-winning science communicator and she is making it her mission to make science more accessible, inclusive and fun for everyone.

Emma is a first generation academic and a regular contributor to local radio and television as well as a commentator for the Science Media Centre. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and changing the minds of people who nervously think science isn't for them.

Emma obtained her BSc honours degree in Biochemistry before completing a PhD in Behavioural Neuroscience and Huntington's Disease. She then obtained a prestigious research fellowship to work with families impacted by Huntington's Disease.

Emma is passionate about teaching and learning and has been accredited with a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Trials from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, completed part-time via distance learning.

A keen public speaker Emma aims to inspire audience's with her infectious enthusiasm and ability to deliver interactive and accessible sessions.

Engineering Success interviews Ayo Sokale a Chartered Civil Engineer, a Presenter and Keynote Speaker, ICE President's Future Leader and ICE Superhero ECO Warrior.

Ayo graduated with a Masters in Civil and  Coastal Engineering from Plymouth University in 2016. She is a professionally qualified Project Manager at the Environment Agency.

Ayo is a Supervising Civil Engineer taking graduate engineers through the professional development process to achieve their professional qualification. She is an active member of her professional institution, The Institution of Civil Engineers, where she is a member of The ICE Thames Valley, ICE Policy and External Affairs and ICE Communication Committees.

Ayo was also nominated for the Top 50 Women in Engineering under 35 (WE50) initiative run by The Telegraph in partnership with The Women's Engineering Society (WES)

Engineering Success interviews Lisa-Jayne Cook an award-winning Refrigeration Engineer and advocate for Diversity and Inclusion.

Lisa is on the Board of Trustees for the Institute of Refrigeration, a member of the Women's Engineering Society, a Director at ACRIB - the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board and a STEMazing woman.

In 2019 Lisa was named in the prestigious WES Top 50 Female Engineers list and works tirelessly to champion women in engineering and to raise the profile of the refrigeration engineering industry. With 22 years experience Lisa draws on her vast knowledge to help the next generation of talent understand engineering and the amazing career opportunities open in the STEM fields.

Dr Nike Folayan MBE is a Chartered Engineer and gained a PhD in electronics engineering from the University of Sheffield.

Nike is a Technical Director at leading Engineering and Consultancy firm WSP, but is more widely known as the co-founder of AFBE-UK (Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers).

AFBE-UK was founded by Nike and her brother Dr Ollie Folayan in 2007 and through it there has been tremendous growth in the inclusion of Black and Minority Ethnic people in Engineering.

Nike is one of the leading voices and advocates for more representation of BME engineers in industry and works relentlessly through AFBE-UK to support under-represented individuals. AFBE-UK has actively supported over 20,000 individuals seeking work in engineering and engineering related subjects whilst also engaging a mix of communities across the UK ranging from companies to engineering institutions and schools, to develop and showcase the engineering talent available within the BME community thereby contributing to the wider engineering talent pool.

Nike has been awarded an MBE for her contribution to Diversity in Engineering.

Engineering Success interviews Simran Dhadda a Content Developer and Presenter.

Simran has a unique hybrid skillset in marketing engineering. Graduating from Imperial College London with a masters degree in Mechanical Engineering she then worked at Airbus, the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer.

Starting her career as a Structural Engineer she then moved into marketing. Simran has had an international career, seconded to New York, Beijing and lived in France experiencing first-hand how engineering is a truly global business.

Simran managed corporate events at Airbus where she travelled to over 35 different countries, working with world class airlines conducting business with different cultures.

She is extremely passionate about promoting engineering, showing what an exciting profession it can be and is now working full time on developing a TV series to do just that!

Engineering Success interviews Ellie Carter a Pilot and STEM Ambassador.

Ellie has always wanted to be a pilot from a very young age. The physics and mathematics of flying always fascinated Ellie. When Ellie was eight she became fascinated with high altitude flight and an aircraft called the U-2. The science of flying at such altitudes was intriguing and she was fortunate enough to meet the aircraft and her crews which propelled her towards her dream.

Ellie became the youngest female solo pilot when she took a day off school to solo gliders on her 14th birthday. She followed this up by soloing powered aircraft three days after her 16th birthday, due to storm Diana preventing her from flying on her birthday. Ellie collected her PPL on her 17th birthday.

Since then Ellie has added various ratings including her tail wheel rating which allows her to fly a 1943 Piper L4 Grasshopper which served in D-Day!

Ellie most memorable aviation moments to date include flying to Belgium, which won her an international aviatrix award, and having an engine failure after take-off resulting in a Mayday and a forced landing into some long grass.

Ellie is currently studying her A levels along with an EMC in carbon neutral propulsion. Her ambition is a career in aviation and is hoping to study Aeronautics and Astronautics, which have been her ambition since she was 10 years old.

Ellie is a speaker for many organisations such as Farnborough Airshow and Youth Education and Support as well as doing regular interviews and podcasts along with going into schools to encourage more girls to consider careers in STEM and aviation.

Engineering Success interviews Alexandra Knight the Founder and Director of STEMAZING Ltd and STEMAZINGKids CIC.

Alex is a Fellow of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers and a Member of the Institute of Asset Management with over 15 years experience in Systems Engineering, Asset Management and Project Management.

She is also a Trustee on the Board of the Women's Engineering Society (WES) and a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at Brunel University London.

Alex is passionate about developing others and promoting the engineering profession. She is an active STEM Ambassador and a mentor for the Women in Brunel Engineering and Computing Scheme. She was announced one of the Top 100 WeAreTheCity Women for championing gender diversity in engineering 2020.

Alex Strongly believes that through STEMAZING she will be able to extend her impact for inspiring people to go into STEM careers and supporting women to remain and progress in their STEM journeys.

STEMAZING aims to inspire and increase diversity and inclusion in STEM.

Engineering Success interviews Georgia Thompson a Civil Engineer at BAM Nuttall and the Co-Founder of D-VERS-TY

Georgia is the communications officer for the Railway Civil Engineering Association, promoting the benefits of railway civil engineering and an advisory board member for I Dare 2 inspire, a social enterprise designed to empower and raise the aspirations of under-represented young people.

Engineering Success interviews Sophie Harker a Senior Aerodynamicist for BAE Systems.

Sophie is one of the youngest engineers to have achieved Chartered Engineer status at just 25 years old.

She works at the forefront of aerospace technology, developing advanced designs and concepts for new generation fast jets and aircraft that operate in space as well as inside the atmosphere.

Sophie has contributed directly to BAE Systems hypersonic capabilities including applying technologies from first hybrid air-breathing rocket engine system (SABRE) being developed by Reaction Ltd, which could revolutionise travel from the atmosphere into space. One day she hopes to go into space herself as an Astronaut.

Sophie is an exceptionally talented engineer with her creative and innovative approach. Her work on hypersonic air vehicles includes building the necessary business cases and defining the product philosophy at each stage of development. She has also led a process transformation programme within the avionics department at BAE Systems, which involved engaging with 400 other engineers to streamline the avionics design process.

In 2018 Sophie was awarded the Bee Beamont award which recognises newly qualified engineers who have made an outstanding contribution to the business in the early stages of their career. She also won the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award and again in 2018 Sophie was awarded the Sir Henry Royce Medal which recognised her research in developing future technologies for the aviation industry.

In 2019 Sophie won the RAEng Young Engineer of the Year and the RAES Young Person's Achievement award.

Sophie is an active STEM Ambassador and features in the Royal Academy of Engineers flagship 'This Is Engineering' campaign promoting careers in engineering.