Team | CEOC

Team Leader

DR BAHAREH KAMRANZAD

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Strathclyde, UK

https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/persons/bahareh-kamranzad

Email: bahareh.kamranzad (at) strath.ac.uk

Bio: Dr Bahareh Kamranzad is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) and Chancellor’s Fellow in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) at the University of Strathclyde, and a Fellow of the University of the Arctic and Lloyd's Register Foundation. She leads the Strathclyde Centre for Doctoral Training in “AI-based Ocean Forecast for Marine Operation (mArIneCAST)” and the "Coastal Engineering & Ocean Climate (CEOC)" research group. Her research focuses on the impacts of climate change on oceanic conditions, ocean renewable energies, extreme events, and coastal protection and resilience. To advance these research interests, she employs a range of computational tools, including advanced numerical models, soft computing methods, and hybrid approaches. Dr Kamranzad has secured significant international funding as Principal Investigator (PI) in the UK, Japan, and China, and has contributed to several international projects as collaborator. She has published over 90 peer-reviewed articles in high-impact journals (e.g., Nature Climate Change, Energy, Ocean Engineering) and conference proceedings, and delivered invited talks at prestigious institutions worldwide. She has been recognised among the top 2% of Scientists Globally by Elsevier and Stanford University in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024 for her contributions to Energy, Oceanography, and Strategic Technologies. She is also a 2023 Emerging Sustainability Leader by MDPI Sustainability Foundation and the University of Basel. Dr Kamranzad is the Deputy Editor of Ocean Engineering (Elsevier) and a member of Advisory Editorial Board of Coastal Engineering (Elsevier). Dr Kamranzad is also a member of the Advisory Panel for ClimateXChange (Scotland’s centre of expertise on climate change) by the Scottish Government. She is the chair and co-founder of the International Integrated Wave Energy Research Group (IIWER) and has also served on the Science Board of Japan Geoscience Union (JpGU). Dr. Kamranzad is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and has acted as the Deputy Director of Postgraduate Research where she supported the academic progression of postgraduate researchers and has led curriculum innovations that enhance research quality. Dr Kamranzad has developed, led, and delivered various courses where she applied integrative and inclusive learning approaches that have significantly increased student engagement.

PhD Students

VICKY MARTI-BARCLAY, University of Strathclyde, mArIneCAST CDT (2023-2027)

Topic: “AI-Based Approaches for Ocean Forecast and Development of Ensemble Ocean Climate Data”

Bio: my background is in oceanography and marine renewable energy. Before coming to Strathclyde, I was a researcher in ocean renewable energy at Bangor University for nearly 3 years. I love being in (and on) the ocean doing water sports but out of season you’ll mostly find me in the forest doing orienteering.

Co-Supervisors: Dr Neil Banas, Dr Laibing Jia, Dr Lucy Bricheno (National Oceanography Centre), Dr James Herterich (University College Dublin)

JACK LEWIS, University of Strathclyde, mArIneCAST CDT (2023-2027)

Topic: "Optimisation of Offshore Wind Farm Placement and Operation Using AI and Ocean Forecasting"

Bio: I have a background in marine renewable energy with a particular focus on Tidal and Wind energy and the generating forces behind them. I have previously worked as a researcher at Bangor university using our research outputs to collaborate with industry and progress the MRE sector. I enjoy surfing, climbing and mountaineering in my free time

Co-supervisors: Dr Laibing Jia (primary supervisor), Dr Neil Banas

MERLIJN SURTEL, University of Strathclyde, mArIneCAST CDT (2023-2027)

Topic: "Optimisation of Offshore Wind Farm Placement and Operation Using AI and Ocean Forecasting"

Bio: I'm a computer scientist interested in machine learning and the mathematics behind it. Novel techniques for machine learning particularly intrigue me.

Research Interests: Machine Learning, Bayesian Deep Learning, Explainable AI, Modelling, Algorithms

Co-supervisors: Dr Neil Banas (primary supervisor), Dr Laibing Jia, Dr Valerie Lavinia (NPL)

JOHN-LUKE McWHIRTER, University of Strathclyde (2024-2028)

Topic: "Hybrid Ocean Renewables in a Changing Climate"

Bio: Aspiring Environmental Consultant interested in offshore wind generation and energy policy. Currently studying towards an MSc Sustainability & Environmental Studies at the University of Strathclyde.

Co-Supervisors: Dr Stephen Suryasentana, Dr Laibing Jia, Dr Abel Arredondo Galeana, Dr Paul Evans (Intertek Metoc), Dr Matt Lewis (Wood PLC), Elva Bannon (Wave Energy Scotland), Dr Shona Pennock (CorPower Ocean)

PAWEŁ PAŃKA, Robert Gordon University, Net Zero Technologies at the National Subsea Centre (NZTC) CDT, TechnipFMC plc (2024-2028)

Topic: "Predictive analytics for subsea installation assets: enhancing efficiency, safety, and maintenance through data-driven models"

Bio: Pawel Panka is currently pursuing a Doctor of Engineering with a research focus on applying advanced analytics to offshore vessel operations. He holds an MBA and brings over a decade of experience in subsea technology and business management. In his role as System and Data Senior Technical Authority at TechnipFMC, Pawel leads digital and Lean transformation initiatives that enhance operational efficiency and resource optimization. His work integrates strategic vision with data-driven methodologies to support continuous improvement across global teams.

Co-supervisors: Dr Ciprian Zavoianu (primary supervisor) (Robert Gordon U), Dr Thanh Nguyen (Robert Gordon U)

MATT MCNAB (University of Edinburgh, IDCORE CDT/Fraser-Nash)
(2025-2028)

Topic: "Assessing the impact of incorporating climate model projections into marine spatial planning"

Bio: Matt McNab is a research engineer pursuing an EngD in offshore renewable energy through the IDCORE CDT. His research focuses on the impact of incorporating climate model projections into marine spatial planning, particularly in the offshore wind sector. At his sponsoring company, Frazer-Nash Consultancy, he is part of the AI and Analytics team, assisting with modelling projects in the marine domain.

Co-supervisors: Dr Ajit Pillai (U Exeter), Dr Jennifer Thompson (Swansea U), Dr Neil Headings (Frazer-Nash Consultancy), Dr Ben Jenner (Frazer-Nash Consultancy)

FILO MOLDOVAN

University of Strathclyde (2025-2028)

Topic: Monitoring Coastal Systems: High-Resolution Techniques for Environmental Change Detection

Co-supervisors: Prof. Fiona Henriquez-Mui (U Strathclyde), Prof Qingping Zou (Heriot-Watt U), Dr Paul Evans (Intertek Metoc)

MSc Students

Undergraduates

Jacob Luc University of Strathclyde (2025-2026)

Topic: "impact of climate change on the intensity and frequency of extreme waves in the UK; with a focus on coastal disasters"

Keara Dunford University of Strathclyde (2025-2026)

Topic: "impact of climate change on the intensity and frequency of extreme waves in the UK

Alumni

Dr Ke Deng, PhD (2020-2022), Kyoto University, “Heatwave analysis in east Asia and climate change impacts” > Data Analyst at Accenture, Tokyo
Dr Yi Wen, PhD, (2019-2022), Sichuan University, “wind and wave energy potential in China Sea and its sustainability” > Postdoctoral research fellow, National University of Singapore
Dr Mohammad Javad Alizadeh, PhD, (2017-2020), K.N. Toosi University of Tech., “Integration of Bayesian Model Averaging with Copula to investigate climate waves”
Sadaf Ismail, MSc (2021-2022), Kyoto University, “flooding as a natural disaster in west Asia and its relationship with ocean phenomena and climate change”
Soroosh Zarghani (2014-2017), KMSU, “Modeling and identifying trends in the wind and wave climate”
Mohamad Reza Mohammadifar (2014-2017), KMSU, “Wave data assimilation in the Caspian sea”
Tahereh Alinejad (2015-2017), University of Tehran, “Climate change impact on sediment transport of Rajaee Port and its environmental assessment”
Arash Ghaderi (2016-2017), University of Tehran (UT), “Impact of climate change on sediment transport and its environmental effects in Anzali port”
Hoda Shahidian (2015-2016), UT, “Wave energy potential assessment in Nowshahr using SWAN”
Mohamad Bagher Khazeni (2013-2015), KMSU, “Climate change impacts on wave characteristics in Chabahar”
Reza Bagheri (2013-2015), KMSU, “Evaluation of wind and wave characteristics in Asalouyeh using SWAN
Elaine Bramwell, MSc (2023-2024), University of Strathclyde, Topic: "What physical processes underlie multi-hazard risks and cascading impacts relating to storm surges and coastal flooding in the UK?"

Tariq George King, MSc, University of Strathclyde (2024), Topic: "Can Remote Sensing be Used to Track Sargassum Brown Tides?" https://tariqgking.wixsite.com/kingsportfilio

John-Luke McWhirter, MSc, University of Strathclyde (2023-2024), Topic: "What are the likely future impacts of climate change on existing and future offshore renewable assets across Scotland?", and Industry Project (CK973) in collaboration with Intertek: "How has the frequency and intensity of storms changed over time across Scotland and which offshore renewable assets are the most at risk?"

Théophile Avenel (Visiting Researcher), École Polytechnique de l'Université de Nantes, France (2024), Topic: "Interactive Coastal Erosion Map with AI Predictions", project website: https://erosion-ai.tavenel.fr/ portfolio: https://www.tavenel.fr/

Owen Fitzpatrick (2023-2024), University of Strathclyde, Industry Project (CL973) "UK renewable subsea cables mapping: A study on coastal vulnerability " in collaboration with Intertek
John-Luke McWhirter, MSc, University of Strathclyde (2023-2024), Industry Project (CL973) in collaboration with Intertek: "How has the frequency and intensity of storms changed over time across Scotland and which offshore renewable assets are the most at risk?"
Faye Van West, University of Strathclyde (2023-2024), CL448 Individual Project “How does the ocean climate change over the long term, and at what rate”
Adam Akram, University of Strathclyde (2023-2024), CL448 Individual Project “Sustainability of Ocean Renewable Energy in a Changing Climate”
Adwaith Kalathingal, MSc, University of Strathclyde (2024), "Climatic changes in marine heatwave around India"
Filo Moldovan, University of Strathclyde (2024), Industry Project (CL973), Topic: "Collision risk associated with tidal turbine developments", Industrial Adviser: Dr Paul Evans (Intertek Metoc)
Harvey Keane, University of Strathclyde (2024), Topic: "Sustainability of Ocean Renewable Energy in a Changing Climate"
Ali Ahmed, University of Strathclyde (2024), Topic: "Impact of Climate Change on the Intensity and Frequency of Extreme Waves in the UK"
Filo Moldovan, University of Strathclyde (2025), Topic: Utilising a Deep Learning Approach for Maximum Wave Height Forecasting at Nazaré, Portugal
Bhoomika Nagaraj, University of Strathclyde (2025), Topic: "Coastal Zone Classification"
Capucine Guiliard, Grenoble Institute of Technology (Grenoble-INP) -Visiting the University of Strathclyde (June-August 2025), Topic: Impact of marine heatwaves on French coastal regions and their potential societal implications