I am a researcher and Health & Safety professional with a strong academic and technical background in welding fume toxicology, materials engineering, and occupational exposure control. I hold a PhD in Welding Fume Toxicology from Teesside University, where my research made significant contributions to the understanding and mitigation of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) exposure in arc welding processes.

My doctoral work focused on the detection, quantification, and reduction of Cr(VI), a carcinogenic substance widely present in welding fumes. Employing Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and systematic variation of shielding gas compositions, I investigated fume generation across MIG, MAG, and FCAW welding processes. These studies provided practical insights into the relationship between process parameters, oxidation potential, and Cr(VI) formation. The outcomes of this research have been disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, including work on FTIR as a diagnostic tool for airborne Cr(VI) and investigations into fume suppression strategies.

Before undertaking my PhD, I completed a Master’s degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK Surathkal, India). My dissertation examined the corrosion behaviour of ultra-fine-grained stainless steel produced by Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment (SMAT), combining mechanical surface engineering with electrochemical analysis. I also hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, where my final project explored the explosive cladding of aluminium and copper, expanding my expertise in joining technologies and microstructural characterisation.

I am currently based at the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, Teesside University, where I contribute to research and innovation projects on the Hydrogen economy, the circular economy and carbon capture. My work integrates academic research with practical applications, supporting safer and more sustainable industrial practices. I have also gained collaborative experience through research roles at TWI, Cambridge, and Ahmedabad University, where I worked across interdisciplinary projects, strengthening my ability to translate laboratory findings into industrial solutions.

My core expertise includes occupational exposure assessment, risk management, spectroscopic analysis, hydrogen production, utilisation, and storage, as well as materials engineering. I remain committed to advancing research that reduces workplace hazards while enabling innovation in materials and manufacturing technologies.