Foteini Zagklavara

Background

I graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a diploma in Chemical Engineering. My main background is modelling, simulation, optimisation of chemical processes, transfer phenomena and techno economic feasibility studies. My fifth-year diploma thesis was on Modelling, Simulation and Optimisation of chemotherapy treatment on patients with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. After graduating, I completed a six-month training programme organised by LyondellBasell and the University of Sapienza, where I studied the fluid dynamics of a gas-phase reactor that produces PE and I completed my thesis on Modelling of PE discharge from a Gas Phase Reactor with minimum gas entrainment.

Research Interests

My PhD project involves computational and experimental work. The former focuses on the optimisation of continuous flow devices where Polymerase Chain Reaction is performed. COMSOL Multiphysics is used to simulate the Heat transfer, Laminar flow, Kinetics and Resistance heating of the device. Design of experiments is then used for the optimisation study. Experimental work has involved designing and building a device in collaboration with a team of biologists, which is expected to facilitate their research and understanding of the mechanisms that drive Leukaemia. The basic principle of the device is creating a device with a constant temperature gradient, where a train of droplets surrounded by an immiscible fluid are introduced in the rig.​ In 2020 I won the Margaret Steel Innovation Award for the design of a droplet experimental device.

Why I chose the CDT in Fluid Dynamics

One of the main reasons for my decision to apply for the CDT in Fluid Dynamics was the integrated MSc, which will give me the opportunity to get to know different areas of interest regarding Fluid Dynamics, before I choose my PhD project. Moreover, this year will provide me the necessary knowledge to begin my research as a PhD student.