The doctoral candidates involved in this project were selected through a rigorous and carefully structured recruitment process, led by the Beneficiaries and the University of Leeds, with authorization to recruit from Associated Partners. International job postings ensured access to a broad and diverse pool of applicants. The recruitment strategy was grounded in the principles of openness, transparency, impartiality, equity, and merit.
We are truly delighted to have assembled such a fantastic group of talented and motivated young researchers. Their diverse academic backgrounds and areas of expertise bring a rich and holistic perspective to the project, significantly strengthening its potential for success.
Hassan Kotb – Doctoral Candidate 1 (TUB)
Hassan Kotb, from Egypt, holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Power Engineering with a specialization in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) from Cairo University. His graduate research focused on analyzing airflow patterns and the transport of airborne pathogens. He has worked as a CFD and HVAC Engineer, applying computational methods to solve complex engineering problems. He also served as a Research and Teaching Assistant at the American University in Cairo, contributing to research on CFD and indoor air quality. His academic interests include thermal comfort, ventilation systems, and the optimization of indoor air quality and pathogen transport in built environments using CFD.
Dorsa Rabizadeh – Doctoral Candidate 2 (NTNU)
Dorsa Rabizadeh, from Iran, is pursuing her PhD at NTNU as part of the HumanIC project. Her research focuses on characterizing the distribution of airborne microbial pollutants in hospital environments. She holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, with a strong foundation in multiphase flows and fluid dynamics. Her background enables her to approach complex systems with engineering precision. She is particularly interested in multidisciplinary research and applying engineering principles to improve public health, industrial safety, and healthcare outcomes.
Vasco Vasconcelos – Doctoral Candidate 3 (WUT)
Vasco Vasconcelos, from Portugal, earned his Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering – Energy and Environment from the University of Coimbra. His thesis, “Turbulence Infodynamics,” reflects one of his interests alongside his passion for the dynamics of buildings, particularly in relation to energy performance and indoor environmental quality. His research emphasises human-centric design, with a focus on thermal comfort and indoor air quality. Drawn to the goals of the HumanIC project, he is committed to applying his expertise to support healthier and more energy-efficient built environments.
Kunal Bairwa – Doctoral Candidate 4 (NTNU)
Kunal Bairwa, from India, is a PhD candidate at NTNU engaged in the HumanIC project. His research explores airflow patterns and ventilation systems in hospital settings. He holds a Master’s degree in Thermal Engineering from IIT Delhi, where he specialized in air purification and HVAC load calculations. His academic and professional experience provide a solid foundation for his current work, which aims to improve ventilation strategies in healthcare environments.
Jixuan Bao – Doctoral Candidate 5 (Aalto)
Jixuan Bao, from China, is pursuing her PhD at Aalto University’s School of Engineering. She holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from Tsinghua University’s Institute of Future Human Habitats (iFHHs), with a background in building technology. Her work emphasizes health-focused building design and includes field research and studies on innovative HVAC systems. She is particularly interested in improving indoor environments through integrated, health-conscious architectural and engineering solutions.
Fang Hou – Doctoral Candidate 6 (KTH)
Fang Hou, from China, is a PhD candidate at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden. Her research focuses on hospital indoor air quality, specifically airflow visualization and control of airborne particles using advanced CFD and Extended Reality (XR) technologies. She completed her Master’s degree at Chongqing University and participated in a visiting scholar program at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Her background also includes engineering experience in Beijing, equipping her with a blend of academic and practical skills that inform her current work.
Rahmat Rizal Andhi – Doctoral Candidate 7 (SOH)
Rahmat Rizal Andhi, from Indonesia, is a researcher and lecturer specializing in 3D modeling, animation, and mixed reality technologies. He holds an Advanced Diploma in Gaming and Animation Technology, a Bachelor’s degree in Informatics Engineering, and a Master’s degree in Digital Media and Game Technology. Since 2008, he has worked extensively in developing immersive environments for education and healthcare. His research in the HumanIC project centers on visualizing the complex 3D environment of the Future Operation Room (FOR) at St. Olavs University Hospital, integrating his technical expertise to enhance healthcare simulations and training.
Tani Angiero – Doctoral Candidate 8 (UC3M)
Tani Angiero, from Italy, is a PhD candidate at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid within the HumanIC Network. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Naples Federico II and a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from Politecnico di Torino. Her research combines experimental fluid dynamics with machine learning techniques to develop real-time, low-order flow modeling in operating rooms. Her goal is to optimize indoor climate in healthcare facilities to improve the well-being of both patients and medical staff.
Denise D`Elia – Doctoral Candidate 9 (FIBHGM)
Denise D’Elia, from Southern Italy, holds a degree in Medicine and Surgery from the University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro. She practiced as a medical doctor in Northern Italy and completed a residency in Infectious Diseases at Udine University Hospital. Her clinical experience includes managing complex infections, particularly among immunocompromised patients and during the COVID-19 pandemic. She further advanced her specialization through an internship at Lausanne University Hospital, focusing on fungal infections and transplant-related pathogens. Her work combines clinical insight with research in infectious diseases.
Muhammad Tayyab Waheed – Doctoral Candidate 10 (UC)
Muhammad Tayyab Waheed, from Pakistan, is a PhD candidate in Sustainable Energy Systems at the University of Coimbra. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (Power) and a Master’s degree in Energy Systems Engineering. His academic journey has been shaped by his commitment to sustainability, particularly in addressing environmental challenges and energy poverty in developing regions. His research emphasizes decentralized energy planning and the use of local renewable resources to enhance energy security and resilience.
Jiyeong Jung – Doctoral Candidate 11 (Leeds)
Jiyeong Jung, from South Korea, is pursuing her PhD at the University of Leeds. Her research focuses on the transient release of microorganisms in healthcare environments. Before joining the HumanIC project, she worked as a climate policy analyst at the Korea Environment Institute (KEI), conducting policy impact assessments on air quality. She also served as an environmental consultant at Samsung Electronics, focusing on regulatory compliance and environmental risk management. Her research interests include indoor air quality, pathogen exposure, and healthcare ventilation systems.