Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences Alumni Awards 2026 winners

Distinguished Advanced Manufacturing Alumni Award

 

Dr Stephan Egerland

MSc Welding Engineering 2010, PhD Manufacturing 2019

 

Dr Stephan Egerland is recognised for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of welding engineering as a globally critical industrial discipline, combining sustained technical innovation with international leadership to shape both industry practice and the direction of advanced manufacturing.

 

At the forefront of research and development, Stephan has consistently translated complex engineering challenges into high-impact, real-world solutions that have advanced the precision, efficiency, and reliability of arc welding processes. His work underpins critical applications across sectors including heavy engineering and energy infrastructure, demonstrating how deep technical expertise can deliver measurable improvements at scale. His ability to bridge scientific rigour with industrial application has established him as a leading authority in the field.

 

His influence extends to the highest levels of global scientific leadership. Through his long-standing contribution to the International Institute of Welding, Stephan has played a central role in shaping international research priorities and standards. His unanimous election as President reflects the exceptional regard in which he is held by the global engineering community and recognises his leadership in aligning scientific advancement with the evolving needs of industry.

 

A committed advocate for knowledge exchange and professional development, Stephan has made a significant contribution to the global research community as an editor, reviewer, and mentor, supporting the next generation of engineers and strengthening international collaboration across the discipline.

 

Dr Stephan Egerland is awarded the 2026 Distinguished Advanced Manufacturing Alumni Award for his exceptional leadership and global impact in advancing welding engineering, exemplifying Cranfield’s highest standards of engineering excellence and international influence.

 

 

 

Distinguished Aerospace Alumni Award

Dougie Hunter BSc MSc MIMechE MRAeS 

MSc Aerospace Vehicle Design 1986

Throughout his career, Dougie Hunter has championed the power of engineering to address some of the most complex challenges in flight. He now acts as advisor and consultant to a number of aerospace businesses.

Dougie trained as a mechanical engineer before completing the Aerospace Vehicle Design MSc at the Cranfield Institute of Technology. He began his career in the structures department of BAE Systems at Weybridge, before transferring to Filton to work on the structure, systems and aerodynamics of Airbus aircraft.

Following several roles in project management and as Deputy Chief Engineer on the A330/A340 programme, Dougie led the launch of the A340-500/600 project, shaping its business case, funding sources, industrial plan and manufacturing strategy. As Chief Engineer UK for the programme, he subsequently led the design and development of the aircraft through to certification. A move to the Toulouse headquarters of Airbus followed, where, as Chief Engineer for the A350, he led the design team through to the initial manufacturing phase.

Returning to the UK as Chief Executive of the Aircraft Research Association, Dougie went on to lead almost a decade of business growth and investment in aerospace research. He subsequently led in composite design and manufacturing as Managing Director of Marshall Advanced Composites and as Director of Aerospace, Defence and Security at the Manufacturing Technology Centre.

Throughout his career, Dougie has maintained a close connection with Cranfield, serving on the University Council and now as Chair of the Cranfield Aerospace and Aviation Alumni Association.

Dougie is awarded the 2026 Distinguished Aerospace Alumni Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to aircraft design and aerospace research, his leadership across the aerospace sector, and his sustained commitment to the Cranfield community.

 

Distinguished AI and Robotics Alumni Award 2026

 

Professor Nick Colosimo

MSc Applied Artificial Intelligence 2022

 

Professor Nick Colosimo is a leading figure in artificial intelligence and advanced engineering, whose work has shaped the strategic direction of innovation across defence, aerospace, and security. Through his combination of technical depth and long-term vision, he has played a central role in advancing how AI and autonomous systems are developed and applied in complex, high-stakes environments.

 

As Head of Group Science & Technology and CTIO Engineering Fellow at BAE Systems, Nick leads the research and innovation agenda underpinning critical national capabilities. His work focuses on integrating AI, autonomy, and advanced systems into real-world applications - ensuring that emerging technologies are not only cutting-edge, but robust, ethical, and operationally effective. His contribution to the UK MOD Defence AI Ethics Panel reflects his commitment to responsible innovation in an area of growing global importance.

 

With more than 120 patents spanning multiple technology domains, Nick’s work has contributed to advancements that are widely recognised across industry and academia. His ability to move ideas from concept to application has enabled the delivery of pioneering solutions in areas where reliability and performance are critical.

 

A committed advocate for collaboration and knowledge sharing, Nick maintains strong links with academia, including his role as Visiting Professor at Cranfield. Through outreach, mentoring, and public engagement, he continues to support the development of future talent and promote wider understanding of AI and engineering.

 

Professor Nick Colosimo is awarded the Distinguished AI and Robotics Alumni Award. His leadership, innovation, and contribution to responsible AI reflect Cranfield’s commitment to advancing technology with purpose and impact.

 

 

 

Distinguished Automotive Alumni Award 2026

 

Pat Symonds

MSc Automotive Engineering 1977

 

Pat Symonds is one of the most influential engineering figures in modern motorsport, whose work has shaped the technical direction of Formula One for almost five decades. Through his leadership, innovation, and strategic vision, he has played a significant role in advancing automotive engineering at the highest level of international competition.

 

Pat’s impact extends far beyond race performance. As former Chief Technical Officer at Formula 1, he helped guide the development of the sport’s future technical regulations, including the introduction of the 2022 ground-effect rules designed to improve racing quality and aerodynamic efficiency. His work on the next generation of Formula 1 regulations has also supported the transition towards more sustainable technologies, including the adoption of advanced sustainable fuels and lower-carbon engineering solutions.

 

What distinguishes Pat’s contribution is his ability to combine technical innovation with long-term strategic thinking. Across a career defined by complex engineering challenges, he has consistently delivered solutions that have influenced not only competitive success, but the wider direction of the sport itself. His leadership has helped establish Formula 1 as both a technology testbed and a driver of broader automotive innovation.

 

Alongside his industry achievements, Pat has remained committed to education and mentorship. As a Visiting Professor at Cranfield University, he has supported the development of future engineers and motorsport leaders, sharing insight gained from decades at the forefront of global competition.

 

Pat Symonds is awarded the Distinguished Automotive Alumni Award. His leadership, innovation, and contribution to sustainable and high-performance engineering reflect Cranfield’s tradition of advancing automotive excellence on a global stage.

 

 

 

Distinguished Environment Alumni Award 2026

 

Professor Opha Pauline Dube

MPhil Applied Remote Sensing 1989

 

Professor Opha Pauline Dube is a globally recognised environmental scientist whose work has strengthened how climate change is understood, communicated, and addressed - particularly across vulnerable regions. Through her leadership and research, she has helped ensure that scientific insight is translated into practical, equitable solutions for communities most affected by environmental change.

 

Her work brings together environmental science and real-world application. By integrating Earth observation data with social and institutional perspectives, Pauline has advanced understanding of climate vulnerability and resilience in ways that are both rigorous and actionable. Her research has informed national strategies and regional collaboration, particularly across the Kalahari Basin, supporting more effective responses to land degradation, climate risk, and sustainable resource management.

 

Pauline’s influence extends to the global stage. Through her long-standing contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, including as a Coordinating Lead Author for the Global Warming of 1.5°C report, she has helped shape one of the most important bodies of evidence guiding international climate policy. Her work has consistently ensured that the perspectives of Least Developed Countries and climate-vulnerable regions are reflected in global decision-making.

 

A committed advocate for collaboration and representation, Pauline has contributed to international scientific leadership through roles with the World Meteorological Organisation and the United Nations’ Global Sustainable Development Report. Her work continues to champion inclusive approaches to sustainability and knowledge sharing.

 

Professor Opha Pauline Dube is awarded the Distinguished Environment Alumni Award. Her leadership, impact, and commitment to climate equity reflect Cranfield’s contribution to science that informs and improves lives worldwide.

 

 

 

Excellence in Achievement Alumni Award for Recent Advanced Manufacturing Graduates

Alexia Williams MBE

MSc Through Life System Sustainment 2024

 

Alexia Williams MBE is recognised for shaping the future of engineering through her leadership in through-life system sustainment and her influence on national skills development, demonstrating how technical excellence and workforce transformation must progress together.

 

Leading engineering teams across international markets, Alexia delivers complex, large-scale solutions that prioritise long-term system reliability and performance. Her work applies through-life engineering principles to ensure that systems are not only designed effectively but maintained, optimised, and continuously improved, creating sustained operational value at scale.

 

Her impact extends beyond industry delivery into national skills policy. As a Trustee of Enginuity and Non-Executive Director at EAL, Alexia contributes to strengthening technical education and addressing critical skills gaps. Her leadership as former Chair of the Skills England Apprentice Panel and current Chair of MAKE UK’s Future Makers Group has ensured that early-career perspectives are represented in shaping the future of the engineering workforce.

 

Alongside this, Alexia is a committed advocate for widening participation in engineering. Through her promotion of apprenticeships and her work to increase diversity in STEM, particularly for women, she is helping to build a more inclusive and resilient profession.

 

Alexia Williams is awarded the 2026 Excellence in Achievement Award for Recent Advanced Manufacturing Graduates for combining technical leadership in through-life engineering with a sustained commitment to developing the next generation of engineers, influencing both industry practice and the future of engineering skills at a national level.

 

 

Excellence in Achievement Award for Recent AI and Robotics Graduates 

Faustin Fanin

MSc Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control 2019

 

Fausto Fanin is recognised for advancing the practical application of robotics and autonomous systems, demonstrating how complex technologies can be translated into scalable, real-world solutions that deliver measurable value across industry.

 

Working at the intersection of engineering and product strategy, Fausto has played a key role in shaping how advanced robotics technologies are developed, positioned, and deployed. His ability to bridge technical and commercial perspectives ensures that innovation is not only technically robust, but aligned with user needs, market demand, and long-term impact. This has enabled the successful deployment of automation solutions within a rapidly evolving and highly competitive sector.

His contribution is defined by versatility across domains. From early work in human-centred robotics to the deployment of autonomous systems and industrial drone operations, Fausto has consistently applied his expertise to new and complex challenges. His involvement in enabling drone operations under emerging regulatory frameworks highlights both his technical capability and his understanding of the wider systems required to support innovation at scale.

 

Bringing an international perspective shaped by experience across Europe and North America, Fausto demonstrates the adaptability and cross-disciplinary thinking essential to the future of AI and robotics.

 

Fausto Fanin is awarded the 2026 Excellence in Achievement Award for Recent AI and Robotics Graduates for demonstrating how advanced robotics and autonomous systems can be effectively translated into real-world applications, bridging technical innovation and commercial deployment in a rapidly evolving field.

 

 

Excellence in Achievement Award for Recent Automotive Graduates 

James Eatwell

MSc Automotive Technology Management 2016

 

James Eatwell is recognised for advancing sustainable propulsion within the marine sector, leading the development of next-generation engine technologies that translate decarbonisation ambition into practical, deployable solutions.

 

Through his technical leadership, James has been instrumental in bringing innovative clean propulsion systems from concept to commercial reality. Overseeing the development of high-performance outboard engines designed to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, his work has enabled more sustainable operations across marine and workboat applications. His ability to bridge engineering innovation with real-world deployment has been central to delivering technologies that perform reliably at scale.

 

His impact is further defined by his leadership of complex engineering programmes during a critical phase of organisational growth. By aligning technical strategy with production delivery, James has ensured that innovation is not confined to development, but realised as robust, market-ready solutions that have helped position his organisation as a credible and forward-looking contributor within the fast-evolving clean propulsion landscape.

 

Alongside advances in current technologies, James has supported the exploration of future propulsion systems, including hydrogen-based solutions aimed at reducing emissions across ports and commercial fleets. This work reflects a broader commitment to developing viable pathways to decarbonisation in sectors where change is both urgent and technically challenging.

 

James Eatwell is awarded the 2026 Excellence in Achievement Award for Recent Automotive Graduates for leading the development and delivery of sustainable propulsion technologies, demonstrating how engineering innovation can drive meaningful progress towards decarbonisation in complex, real-world environments.

 

 

Excellence in Achievement Award for Recent Clean Energy Graduates 

Dr Judith Ishicheli Johnson

MSc Process Systems Engineering 2016, PhD Defence and Security 2022

 

Dr Judith Ishicheli Johnson is recognised for advancing the transition to sustainable aviation fuel, demonstrating how engineering expertise can accelerate the decarbonisation of global air transport.

 

Her work has been instrumental in moving sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from research into real-world application. She played a leading role in a landmark 100% SAF flight test programme for single-aisle aircraft, helping to demonstrate its technical viability at scale. This achievement has contributed to shaping industry confidence, informing regulatory direction, and accelerating progress towards net zero aviation. Her expertise in fuel systems, including the impact of water and ice on performance and safety, has strengthened both engineering practice and the safe adoption of cleaner fuels.

 

Through leadership across international teams and collaboration with manufacturers, fuel suppliers, and regulators, she has helped align innovation with the operational realities of global aviation. In her current work advancing SAF production and quality assurance, she continues to address the critical challenge of scaling sustainable fuel supply.

 

Judith’s contributions have been recognised by both the Royal Aeronautical Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering, reflecting the significance of her work within the global aerospace community. She is also committed to widening participation in engineering, supporting and mentoring individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue careers in aerospace and energy.

 

Dr Judith Ishicheli Johnson is awarded the 2026 Excellence in Achievement Award for Recent Clean Energy Graduates for advancing the development and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel, demonstrating how engineering innovation can drive meaningful progress towards net zero aviation.

 

 

 

Excellence in Achievement Award for Recent Environment Graduates 

Joseph Hearnshaw CITP MBCS

MSc Applied Bioinformatics 2019

 

Joseph Hearnshaw CITP MBCS is recognised for advancing the responsible application of artificial intelligence within highly regulated environments, demonstrating how complex technologies can be translated into secure, practical solutions with meaningful societal impact.

 

Leading AI enablement across government and regulated sectors, Joseph has played a central role in delivering large-scale systems that bridge innovation and public trust. His work includes the development of one of the UK Government’s earliest public-facing generative AI tools designed to provide businesses with accessible, intelligent insights. By turning emerging technologies into usable real-world applications, he has become a trusted advisor to senior leaders navigating the opportunities and risks of AI adoption.

 

His contribution extends beyond delivery into shaping how AI is applied to global challenges. From advancing research during the Covid-19 pandemic to supporting sustainable food systems and renewable energy through applied data science, Joseph’s work consistently demonstrates both technical depth and a clear commitment to ethical innovation. His approach ensures that progress in AI is not only technically robust, but aligned with long-term societal and environmental value.

 

Alongside his professional work, Joseph serves as Cabinet Member for Children and Young People at Milton Keynes City Council, reflecting a wider commitment to public service and community impact.

 

Joseph Hearnshaw is awarded the 2026 Excellence in Achievement Award for Recent Environment Graduates for demonstrating how artificial intelligence can be applied responsibly at scale to address complex societal and environmental challenges, setting a benchmark for impact-driven technology leadership.