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The Department of Materials celebrates the promotions of four academics, recognising their contributions to research, teaching and the wider academic community.

Professor Chun Ann Huang

Professor Ann Huang has been promoted to Professor of Energy Storage Materials.

A Department of Materials alumna, Ann's research focuses on sustainable manufacturing technologies for energy devices and the development of advanced materials for batteries, including lithium-ion, sodium-ion and solid-state technologies. Her work aims to improve the performance and sustainability of future energy storage solutions and has been recognised through European Research Council grants and the Royal Society of Chemistry's 2025 Faraday Early Career Prize.

Dr Reshma Rao

  Dr Reshma Rao has been promoted to Associate Professor of Catalysis and Interfaces. 

Her research focuses on understanding electrochemical reactivity at solid-gas and solid-liquid interfaces to develop more active, stable and selective catalysts. Her work aims to advance electrochemical technologies for producing renewable fuels and chemicals. 

Dr Rao's research has been recognised through several awards, including the Royal Society of Chemistry's 2026 Faraday Early Career Prize (Marlow Prize), the 2023 Clara Immerwahr Award for outstanding achievements in catalysis research, and the Asian Women of Achievement Award 2023 in Science.

Dr Oriol Gavalda-Diaz

Dr has been promoted to Associate Professor in Ceramics.

His research investigates how ceramics and composites used in demanding environments fail, with a focus on understanding how their microstructure and chemistry influence material performance. Using advanced micro- and nanoscale characterisation and testing techniques, his work supports the development of new materials and helps predict their long-term performance. His research has applications in the transport and energy generation sectors, particularly in ceramic matrix composites, layered materials and zirconia.

Dr Sam Humphry-Baker

Dr has been promoted to Associate Professor in Ceramics. 

His research focuses on the processing, microstructural design and performance of ceramic materials for extreme thermal and irradiation environments, with applications in advanced energy technologies. His work includes developing materials for radiation shielding and has led to two patents and collaborations with industrial partners including UKAEA, Petronas and Tokamak Energy.

He was also awarded an ImperiaCollege Research Fellowship in 2017, followed by an EPSRC Open Fellowship.

The Department congratulates all four academics on their well-deserved promotions and wishes them continued success.