Alumni Profiles

Our alumni have used their engineering degrees to enter hugely varied careers in different fields and industries around the world. Read about the paths they have taken.

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Chemical Engineering

Alex Radford

Alex Radford

After graduating with the BSc (Hons) Chemical Engineering in 1989, Alex Radford has worked in many operations supervision and management roles in ExxonMobil as well as assignments in supply. After discovering that his interests lay in getting the best out of people and operating facilities, he took up his current position as Reliability Coordinator for both chemicals and refining at ExxonMobil's Fawley site.

Azar Besharat-Moayeri (née Besharat)

Azar Besharat Moayeri became Edinburgh’s first female graduate in Chemical Engineering in 1967

BSc Chemical Engineering, 1967

Azar Besharat-Moayeri (née Besharat) graduated in 1967 – the first woman to graduate with a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Edinburgh. Since graduating, Azar has moved from Iran to Canada, triumphing over adversity to her hair removal product business, Parissa, into a thriving, recognised brand. Recently, Azar has again adapted to changing circumstances by turning her business over to the production of hand sanitiser during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dylan Pilarski

Dylan Pilarski

MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering, 2019

What path has your career taken since graduation?

Since graduation, I have worked in two different roles, one as an engineering consultant in the surfactants industry (Stepan Company) and one as a project manager in the specialty chemicals and fermentation industry (Lonza Specialty Ingredients). I have also obtained my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in the last few years.

Ian Cook

Ian Cook

MEng Chemical Engineering, 2012

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

Choosing a University to study at was not easy. However, I decided to pick Edinburgh because:

Michael Bryce

Michael Bryce

MEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering, 2012

Why did you choose to study at The University of Edinburgh?

I chose Edinburgh after visiting several University open days. I liked the city, campus, and the department was well rated. 

Mechanical Engineering

Gabrielle du Toit, 2022 MENG Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

Gabrielle du Toit

Degree: 2022 MENG Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, the University of Edinburgh

Current role: Satellite Operations Engineer at AAC Clyde Space

Why did you decide to study at the University of Edinburgh?

I chose Edinburgh largely due to the global reputation of the University and it’s high ranking, particularly in Engineering. Also, as a city, Edinburgh is incredibly appealing, with a rich history and cultural vibrancy. 

Gillies, BEng Mechanical Engineering with Renewable Energy, 2019 and MSc Sustainable Energy Systems, 2020

Degree: 2019 BEng(H) Mechanical Engineering with Renewable Energy, the University of Edinburgh and 2020 MSc Sustainable Energy Systems, the University of Edinburgh

Current role: Project Development Manager at Fred. Olsen Seawind 

Leopold Thebault

MEng Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, 2021

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

As a European student who applied before the Brexit vote, I chose to study at the University of Edinburgh because of its relatively high ranking and low fees. Other options I was considering were a number of universities in the UK as well as the more conventional engineering path in my home country, France.

Shanece Wilson

Shanece Wilson

MSc Sustainable Energy Systems, 2022

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

I chose to study at the University of Edinburgh because I wanted to delve into the sustainable energy industry but felt I lacked the foundational knowledge. The University's intriguing research and facilities (such as Flowave Ocean Energy Research Facility) captured my interest.

Additionally, the allure of the stunning city of Edinburgh sealed the deal for me!

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Bethan Wilkinson

Bethan Wilkinson

MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering, 2021

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

Primarily, Edinburgh is a great place to live. Not only is the city really beautiful, there are events happening all year round and loads of opportunities to explore Scotland. The engineering programme had a broad range of options which was key for me as I didn't want to specialise too early.

Brian Chong

Brian Chong

BEng Civil Engineering, 2018

What path has your career taken since graduation?

During my third year of study, I decided to change career path from the field of civil engineering to data science. I applied to many places in Europe, and got an offer to join Amazon for a data science internship in Luxembourg.

John-Paul Moberly

John-Paul Moberly

MEng Civil Engineering, 2018

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

First and foremost I absolutely love Edinburgh as a city! The opportunity to study at such a prestigious institution and one of the best universities in the UK, while living in such an incredible city, was an opportunity I will forever be thankful for.

Sebastian Mitel

MEng (Hons) Structural Engineering with Architecture, 2021

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

I wanted to work on historic buildings conservation, but my background was in STEM subjects. The University of Edinburgh's MEng Structural Engineering with Architecture course was a great match, since I could study architectural history and design.

Silvian Grosu

Silvian Grosu

MEng (Hons) Civil Engineering, 2013

What path has your career taken since graduation?

I graduated with first class honours MEng Civil Engineering from the University of Edinburgh in the summer of 2013. A couple of months before graduation I secured interviews with several different engineering and construction companies and was offered a graduate structural engineer position with Wardell Armstrong in their Edinburgh office.

Stephen Dickson

Stephen Dickson

MEng (Hons) Structural Engineering with Fire Safety, 2011

What path has your career taken since graduation?

Vanessa Sloan

Vanessa Sloan

MEng Civil Engineering with Architecture, 2001

After graduating with a First class MEng in Civil Engineering with Architecture in 2001, Vanessa worked as a business strategist at Accenture before moving on to build a career in real estate. She is currently Partner at Patron Capital.

Electronics and Electrical Engineering

Brian Welsh

Brian Welsh

BSc Electrical Engineering, 1971

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

I was born and grew up in Edinburgh, and wanted to study physics or engineering. It was a choice between the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, or the universities of Glasgow or Strathclyde. Edinburgh was first choice for its reputation in physics and engineering.

Cindy Iskandar

MSc Advanced Power Engineering, 2022

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

Because it is the leading university in innovation in my field: power systems engineering and energy modelling.

What path has your career taken since graduation?

I got my job at a leading company in my field. I am now working on cutting-edge software technology and on revolutionary projects with GE.

Fiona King

Fiona King

MEng Electronics and Electrical Engineering, 2019

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

I loved maths and physics and knew I wanted to study something in that area at university. Engineering sounded interesting but as I hadn't studied it at school I wasn't sure what it involved and struggled to decide on a particular track.

Gabrielle du Toit, 2022 MENG Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

Gabrielle du Toit

Degree: 2022 MENG Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, the University of Edinburgh

Current role: Satellite Operations Engineer at AAC Clyde Space

Why did you decide to study at the University of Edinburgh?

I chose Edinburgh largely due to the global reputation of the University and it’s high ranking, particularly in Engineering. Also, as a city, Edinburgh is incredibly appealing, with a rich history and cultural vibrancy. 

Leopold Thebault

MEng Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, 2021

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

As a European student who applied before the Brexit vote, I chose to study at the University of Edinburgh because of its relatively high ranking and low fees. Other options I was considering were a number of universities in the UK as well as the more conventional engineering path in my home country, France.

Nikolay Momchev

MEng Electrical and Electronics Engineering, 2019

Why did you choose to study at the University of Edinburgh?

I was interested in the elective subjects (bioelectronics) and in general had heard good things about the University.

Shubhankan Mukherjee

Shubhankan Mukherjee

MSc Advanced Power Engineering, 2020

What path has your career taken since graduation?

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