Katya has 30 years’ experience of working on projects bridging academia and industry in many research and technology areas, including advanced materials, opto-electronics, food science, spectroscopic analysis, surface science, data analytics, biomedical analytical devices, renewable energy and various other branches of engineering. Over the last six years while at NMIS Katya has focused on delivery of innovation support and advice to a wide spectrum of SME businesses. Her keen interest is in developing and establishing for NMIS the best practice approach to SME engagement.  A physicist by her original training and with a physical chemistry PhD, she has experience of working in a manufacturing environment and has also walked a path of entrepreneurship, as an inventor and a start-up company director, and has delivered many new products, solutions, process improvements for growing businesses.

Alaster has 40 years experience in new product and process development in the Defence and Opto-electonics area. During that time he has been involved in 15 New product development programmes and launches. Many of these have involved International supply chains and innovations from many different areas. Currently supporting activity in NMIS across various technical areas covering Digital Visualisation and Metrology, Optical Displays, Additive Manufacturing and Process Improvement, Sustainability and Green Economy efforts.

Andy has over 35 years’ industrial experience working across a range of product types: broad range of aero structures and engines across major OEM’s e.g. Rolls-Royce / BMW-RR / GE / Volvo Aero / GKN / TechSpace Aero / De Havilland / Westland Helicopters / Bae Systems and many others. He specialism is Engineering Design & Analysis.