Alumni

Youhong Chen – Lecturer, University of Bath

LinkedIn

How would you describe your experience at Imperial and what you gained from your role while at Imperial?

 I have greatly enjoyed my experience at Imperial. As one of the world’s leading universities, Imperial provides an exceptional environment for conducting high-quality research. During my time there, I had the valuable opportunity to communicate and collaborate with leading researchers in the field of power systems. The experience has been both intellectually enriching and professionally rewarding, and I sincerely hope to have the opportunity to work with Imperial again in the future.

 What advice would you give to people joining the project team or who have an interest in the field covered by EPICS-UK?

EPICS-UK provides an excellent platform for researchers interested in this field. It brings together leading research teams working on real-world scientific and engineering challenges, offering opportunities to engage with cutting-edge developments. The research questions addressed within EPICS-UK are highly relevant to industry and academia alike, and the solutions developed are often world-leading in both innovation and impact.

Akylas Stratigakos – Lecturer in Energy Systems and Data Analytics,  UCL 

LinkedIn, Akylas Stratigakos | Akylas Stratigakos

How would you describe your experience at Imperial and what you gained from your role while at Imperial?

 It was incredibly rewarding! I joined EPICS-UK right after my PhD as a research associate, and I got the opportunity to develop several skills that enabled me to achieve my career goals. Besides conducting research, I co-organized workshops with leading industry and policy stakeholders, mentored students, and gained valuable teaching experience. Overall, it is a highly supportive and diverse environment that fosters academic growth, making it ideal for early career researchers.

 What advice would you give to people joining the project team or who have an interest in the field covered by EPICS-UK?

 Do not hesitate to ask for feedback or advice from the senior team members. People are incredibly friendly and the whole team is invested in helping each other grow.

Zhongda Chu - Professor, School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Tianjin University

LinkedIn, ResearchGate

How would you describe your experience at Imperial and what you gained from your role while at Imperial?

My PhD and postdoc at Imperial were profoundly shaped by my incredibly supportive supervisor, whose expert guidance was a perfect balance of professional challenge and personal mentorship. This was complemented by the vibrant, collaborative environment where ideas flowed freely across disciplines. My colleagues, both brilliant and genuinely friendly, were always willing to share insights or offer support, transforming challenges into shared triumphs. This nurturing and stimulating environment was absolutely essential to my development as a researcher.

What advice would you give to people joining the project team or who have an interest in the field covered by EPICS-UK?

1. Process Over Results: Value the methodology; it builds rigorous habits that ensure long-term success.
2. Get Your Hands Dirty: Learn by doing. Run experiments yourself and engage directly with the work.
3. The PhD Commitment: Think carefully before starting, but once you decide, proceed with total commitment.

Chotiya Mahittigul - Machine Learning Engineer, GridZero.ai

LinkedIn "Please feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn. I get quite a few connection requests, and usually only accept invites from people I recognize, so do make sure to mention that you found me through the EPICS-UK page!" 

How would you describe your experience at Imperial and what you gained from your role while at Imperial?

My experience at Imperial was incredibly enriching. I had the opportunity to work at the intersection of machine learning and power systems, applying state-of-the-art research to real-world energy challenges. Beyond the technical knowledge I gained, the experience also broadened my perspective through collaboration with people from diverse backgrounds — all driven by a shared commitment to addressing the complex issues facing the energy sector. It was both intellectually and personally rewarding, and the best part is that I’ve gained a group of lifelong friends along the way!

What advice would you give to people joining the project team or who have an interest in the field covered by EPICS-UK?

If you’re genuinely interested in this field, I highly recommend joining the EPICS-UK group. It’s a uniquely collaborative environment with leading academics who are both approachable and deeply knowledgeable. Everybody is working on their own area of research, but the group's overall research fits together like a puzzle to solve an overarching problem. Beyond developing strong research and technical skills, you’ll build valuable interpersonal experience and connect with people from around the world. It’s a rare opportunity to work on meaningful challenges in a truly world class team.