People
PhD Students
FeiFei Lu
I am Feifei Lu from China, currently a joint PhD student at the University of St Andrews. I am pursuing my PhD at Xi’an Jiaotong University and joined St Andrews in 2024 as part of my research collaboration.
My work focuses on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs), with an emphasis on developing and studying high-performance oxygen electrode materials for intermediate-to-low temperature operation.My goal is to contribute to the advancement of efficient and sustainable electrochemical energy technologies.
Email: [email protected]
Treesa Johns
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from St. Joseph’s College, Moolamattom (2018), and my master’s degree in Analytical Chemistry from St. Berchmans College, Changanassery (2020), both affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India. Before joining St. Andrews University, I worked as a Project Associate at Hindustan Petroleum Green R&D Center from 2021 to 2024,
where I specialized in the synthesis and scale-up of cathode materials for lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, as well as on lithium-sulfur batteries to reduce polysulfide shuttling. Additionally, I gained valuable experience during my internship at the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) in Punjab in 2020, where I contributed to the development of bionanoplatform-based ultrasensitive sensors for detecting food contaminants. My current research focuses on the development of solid electrolytes for sodium-ion batteries.
LinkedIn: Treesa Johns
Email: [email protected]
Ishant Kushwaha
I am a PhD candidate in Thangadurai’s group. I am working on LLZO garnets based on solid-state electrolyte material for ASSB’s.I completed my B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Delhi in 2021. I worked with Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai as an intern. I worked on “palladium extraction from spent glucometer using solvent extraction technique “.
I pursued a second master’s in advanced energy materials from the University of Aberdeen in 2022. In my master’s thesis, I worked on the ” Electrodeposition of tungsten oxide and characterisation of tungsten oxide for battery application using a potentiostat”.I have gained industrial experience by working as an associate battery scientist at Echion Technologies & Superdielectrics. My work focused entirely on coin/pouch cell fabrication and its electrochemical analysis.
LinkedIn: Ishant Kushwaha
Email: [email protected]
Ishika shah
I am currently working on lithium-based garnet structures for solid-state battery applications. Before joining the University of St Andrews, I worked at e-TRNL Energy Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, a battery-tech startup, as a Materials Engineer (March 2023 – February 2025). My work there focused on optimizing separator materials and coating processes. Additionally, I contributed to the electrochemical characterization of batteries and the optimization of electrode fabrication processes.
I hold a B.Sc.-M.Sc. (Integrated) degree in Nanoscience and Technology from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, Maharashtra. For my master’s thesis, I researched magnetite-polyaniline nanocomposites for non-volatile memory and neuromorphic applications.
Driven by a passion for innovation, I aim to address current challenges in battery technology and contribute towards a more sustainable future.
LinkedIn: Ishika shah
Email: [email protected]
Postdoctoral researchers
Manoj Gautam
I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews (since May 2025), where my research focuses on garnet-based solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries. I am also involved in scaling up material synthesis and developing processes for pouch cell fabrication.
Previously, I worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at IIT Bombay (Jan–Dec 2024), contributing to the development of silicon-composite/graphite and NMC-based lithium-ion batteries, along with sodium-ion and solid-state systems. From Jan to April 2025, I continued as a Research Associate at IIT Bombay in the same field. My expertise includes material synthesis, slurry rheology, electrode design, and pilot-scale fabrication of pouch and cylindrical cells. I received my Ph.D. in Energy Science and Engineering from IIT Bombay, focusing on challenges in silicon-based anode development such as first-cycle loss and full-cell stability. I also hold an M.Tech from Thapar University and a B.Tech from Rajasthan Technical University.
Email: [email protected]. Jin’s research expertise spans electrochemical energy storage and conversion
technologies, with a particular focus on solid-state lithium metal batteries and solid
oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Her current work centers on critical materials design,
mechanism analysis, and interface engineering of solid-state devices, aiming to
address the degradation challenges of high-energy-density batteries and drive
advancements in next-generation battery technologies.
Undergraduate students
Olly Baxter
Aidana Asslylbek
Bleddyn Davis
Alex Garner
Heather Ritchie
I am an undergraduate student pursuing a Master’s degree in Materials Chemistry (MChem), with a strong academic focus on solid electrolyte materials for lithium-ion batteries. My current research is centered on the development of innovative solid electrolytes, which are key components for improving the performance, safety, and sustainability of lithium-ion battery technology.
LinkedIn: Heather Ritchie
Email: [email protected]
Max Ivers
I’m Max, a Scottish Italian student from Greenock on the west coast of Scotland. I like football and try to make the most of the quality local courses.
I’m in my final year of a Materials Chemistry Degree currently doing my project on Solid-State Electrolyte in Lithium batteries and the effects of doping on performance and structural integrity.
Email: [email protected]
Akuil Saju
My name is Akuil Saju. I’m currently a 4th year Undergraduate working on interface modification on Lithium Garnet electrolytes.