PhD Students

Zahida Siddiqui has recently joined the Centre for Research into Environmental Science and Technology (CREST) at the University Centre Shrewsbury as a visiting PhD research fellow. Zahida is an Economist through and through having undertaken her first and second degrees in Economics.  Her MPhil was undertaken at the International Islamic University, Pakistan, and her MSc from the University of Kotli Azad Jammu, Kashmir. Whilst at UCS, Zahida is undertaking her PhD research under the supervision of  Prof Julieanna Powell-Turner (Director of CREST) around the role of green-tech expansion in Pakistan – does it enhance economic growth whilst reducing co2 emissions? 

Ryan has joined CREST as a PhD student researching sustainability in the maritime sector under Prof Julieanna Powell-Turner’s supervision. Ryan’s research work involves investigating low carbon fuel alternatives using life cycle analysis methodology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector. Ryan is also exploring collaborative methods for marine organisations to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions to comply with existing and future legislation.

Before joining CREST, Ryan obtained an MEng in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Chester. During his studies there, Ryan developed excellent physics-based modelling skills through projects such as creating a powertrain model for a formula student vehicle to aid with vehicle design decisions and through developing a turbomachinery model to investigate surge phenomena. During his time at the University of Chester, Ryan was offered a summer research scholarship by the University to work towards experimentally validating a novel solution he proposed for mitigating the effects of surge phenomena in turbomachinery.

Ryan joins CREST with enthusiasm for working on research with a sustainable focus that can contribute towards achieving the vision of a net-zero carbon emission future.

Melissa Spiers works as Project Manager for Severn Wye, where she manages a team of community workers to achieve a sustainable future free from fuel poverty. She has first-class BSc in Zoology, from the University of Exeter, and 9 years of experience working in the third sector for both conservation and sustainability charities. Melissa will utilise her experience working with communities to investigate if climate action can improve rural poverty through social cohesion, end-to-end supply chains, and green infrastructure.

Melissa is studying her MPhil part-time under the supervision of Prof Julieanna Powell-Turner (Director of CREST) and Dr Simone Lowthe-Thomas (CEO of Severn Wye).

Tao is an experienced Senior Lecturer at University of Chester bringing 14+ years’ experience in the UK Higher Education sector. Tao is highly analytical with a proven track record in income generation through programme development and overseas partnerships/student recruitment. Tao is a Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Examiner, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a Certified Management and Business Educator (CMBE). Tao specialises in quality assurance, Postgraduate and Undergraduate programme management with extensive management experience of overseas partnerships in Asian markets. Main teaching areas include Marketing, Strategic Management and International Business. Tao developed a substantial portfolio of external institutional approvals/course validations and examinerships as well as delivered a number of consultancy and enterprise projects. Prior to joining academia, Tao gained practical experience in the market research industry working on recycling and waste minimisation projects.

Currently Tao is undertaking his PhD under the supervision of Professor Julieanna Powell-Turner and Professor Kurt Allman investigating impacts of CSR on Chinese Consumer Purchase Intention of Luxury Brands.