Ivan Ling MIET (Chair)
Ivan Ling is a dedicated professional who earned his PhD from the University of Southampton, focusing his research on nanocrystalline graphene and graphite growth for potential environmental sensor applications. Currently, he serves as a researcher and teaching fellow at the University of Southampton. He previously contributed as a research engineer at Swinburne University of Technology and as a lecturer at the University of Southampton Malaysia.
During his undergraduate studies, Ivan graduated with First Class Honors and was honoured with the Sarawak Energy Industrial Award. He also received recognition through the Anugerah Belia Inovasi and had the privilege of participating in the AXIATA Young CEO Development Program. His research interests span smart sensors, carbon-based materials, IoT applications, and machine learning algorithms for environmental monitoring.
Additionally, he actively contributes to various professional organizations, assuming committee roles in the IET Technical Network Community Committee, IET AI Technical Network, and IEEE Malaysia Sensors and Nanotechnology Council. He previously served as the Chair of the IET Young Professionals Malaysia and as a committee member on the IET Communities Committee Asia Pacific and IET Young Professionals Committee.
When he is not working or volunteering, Ivan enjoys catching up with a couple of startups he co-founded and enjoys taking long walks at the park.
Sam Duffield (Vice chair)
Sam is a Lead Embedded Software Engineer within Dyson’s Research, Design and Development (RDD) team in Bristol. Sam’s team use scrum principles to rapidly prototype the next generation of interconnected devices using the very latest available microprocessor and wireless communication technology. Sam’s team formulate embedded solutions from scientific research into highly functional products; inventing new and interesting ways to creatively solve problems.
Sam started his career as an Apprentice Engineer in 2013, in Atkins SNC-Lavalin & Babcock Marine. Sam’s young professional career included a range of qualifications, from the completion of an Ordinary National Certificate (ONC) part-time at City College Plymouth, to attaining a 1st class master’s degree in electronics engineering at the University of Plymouth.
Sam founded the first IET On Campus Network in Devon and Cornwall in 2018. This network grew to facilitate student tours of several local employers and visits to IET London: Savoy Place. Some of those students are now in employment with those employers, and others helped Sam go on to reinvigorate the wider Young Professionals Network across the Devon and Cornwall Region.
Sam has had an extremely fast-paced career over the last 10 years, growing to become a leader in technology. Sam has mentored apprentices, graduates and junior engineers in the principles of software architecture, electronics design, communications systems, robotics control and systems-of-systems philosophy. Sam previously worked at Babcock as the Discipline Lead of Robotics and Autonomy, the role included the collaboration and integration of autonomous vehicle technologies with Chief Technology Officer’s from a range of international companies from Europe to the USA.
Sam is a champion of apprenticeship programmes and an advocate for employers granting continual professional development for all engineers. Sam aspires to create a community of young engineers which challenges established convention with new and creative solutions.
Robert Mayall (Past chair)
Robert is an entrepreneur based in Calgary, Canada. He has a background in engineering biology tackling complex, real-world problems. He co-founded FREDsense Technologies in 2014, a biotech start-up focused on combining biology and engineering to create the next generation of sensors capable of monitoring the world around us.
Robert is the Chief Technology Officer and leads the research and development team in the development of new products and on a recent project, to detect COVID-19 in wastewater.
Robert volunteers with the IET through the Young Professionals Committee, the America’s Community Committee and through his local network. Outside of the IET, Robert is involved with multiple initiatives to mentor and develop STEM students in Canada, and routinely volunteers with educational organisations.
When he isn’t working or volunteering, Robert can be found exploring the nearby Rocky Mountains on long hikes or skiing.
Noah Main (UK representative)
Noah is a fourth year Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprentice at Defence Equipment & Support. Throughout his five-year apprenticeship, he has undertaken six-monthly placement rotations across the business with the aim of gaining exposure across the Defence Air Environment. These previous placements have led him to work on Voyager, the UKs sole Air to Air refueller, and on the Common Missile Warning System, which forms part of an aircraft’s Defensive Aide Suite. He was then seconded to BAE Systems to work in their Electric Products Team focusing on concept development before moving into my current placement within the Military Aviation Authority conducting structural certification activities for Rotary-Wing Aircraft and Remotely Piloted Air Systems.
Noah is currently studying towards a BEng (Hons) in Aerospace Engineering at the University of the West of England and is entering his fourth year. During the apprenticeship, he has completed additional qualifications including a Level 4 National Vocational Qualification in Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing.
Noah first Joined the IET in 2020 when he was awarded the Engineering Horizons Bursary and has subsequently volunteered across a number of regional and national events including First Lego League. He has attended career events, air shows and visited a number of schools to give talks with the aim of promoting engineering and apprenticeships as well as breaking the associated misconceptions.
Outside of work Noah enjoys playing sport picking up sailing, lacrosse and climbing at university. He also enjoys playing football, hiking, travelling and surfing in his spare time.
Maria Gitau (EMEA representative)
Maria is an exceptional and visionary Full Stack Software Engineer at Verst Carbon, recognized for her outstanding achievements in the field of technology and sustainability. She also holds a first class B.Sc. degree in Informatics and Computer Science from Strathmore University.
Furthermore, she is the driving force behind the creation of the first Kenyan-based IET OnCampus group. Beyond her technical prowess, Maria's unwavering commitment to social impact sets her apart.
She actively seeks opportunities to harness technology as a catalyst for positive change, consistently pushing boundaries and creating innovative solutions that address pressing societal and environmental challenges.
Shubham Saraff (South Asia representative)
Shubham holds an MBA from Oxford University and a BTech in Computer Science Engineering.
He is the founder of tech startups with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain. Additionally, he is an Investment Partner at the VC fund Oxford Syndicate Capital, where he is responsible for product development, marketing, strategy, and investor relations.
He has delivered two TEDx Talks on AI, one at Oxford University on the future readiness of technology for large companies, titled "Why Your Next Product Should Focus on Collective Human Connectedness," and the other at Bocconi University on "Artificial Intelligence and Analytics."
He served as the Co-Chair of the Technology Business Network at Oxford University, UK, and has authored research papers published in reputed international journals on AI, technology convergence, and analytics. He also serves as an Expert Council Member at IIT Bombay and the Department of Science and Technology’s TIH.
Shubham’s journey with IET began in 2017 when he participated in and won the Present Around the World Competition. Since then, he has been volunteering with the organization. He was a member of the IET Technology Network Committee and is the Chairperson of the Young Professionals Committee - South Asia for 2024.
After meetings, you can find him enjoying live music, planning his next trip, or preparing for his next deep-sea dive.
Peter Ling (Asia Pacific representative)
Peter Ling is an exceptionally driven and dedicated individual, currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering at Monash University Malaysia, with a specialization in the exciting field of soft robotics. He is a recipient of the University’s Graduate Research Merit Scholarship. His passion for exploring uncharted territories and pushing the boundaries of technology and design fuels his quest to achieve ground-breaking advancements.
He first joined the IET in 2015 through the Present Around The World (PATW) competition, where he represented Asia Pacific in the global final held in London. Prior to that, he won the regional round in Beijing and the national round in Kuala Lumpur.
Peter has taken on various leadership roles, showcasing his proactive and dynamic nature. Notably, Peter served as the President of Swinburne Sarawak IET On Campus (SSIET) during his undergraduate studies at Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus. Under his visionary leadership, SSIET organized a multitude of impactful events, earning them the prestigious IET On Campus Group of the Year Award (GOTYA) in 2019. He also held the position of President of Student Council while pursuing his Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and Electronic) (Honours), further highlighting his ability to balance academic excellence with effective leadership.
Currently, Peter is serving as the Chairperson of IET Malaysia Network Young Professionals Section (YPS) and also holds the position of School of Engineering Representative in Monash University Postgraduate Association (MUPA).
Apart from his academic and professional pursuits, Peter finds solace in creating exquisite melodies with the violin. He believes that science and art intertwine to bring forth a symphony of innovation and creativity.
Sabrina Singh (Skills based representative)
Sabrina graduated in 2021 with a Masters in BioEngineering from the University of Cambridge. She now works as a software engineer at Morgan Stanley, with a focus on database operations.
She first became involved in the IET after being awarded a diamond jubilee scholarship in 2017. Since then, she has volunteered as a first Lego league judge, been a member of the future horizons committee, and is currently also part of the London YPC events team.
Outside of her work, she is a STEM ambassador and volunteers with the charity Tech She Can. She’s also currently training for her second half marathon!
Alvin Lee (International Student representative)
Alvin is a visionary individual currently pursuing a BEng in Mechatronic Engineering. His research interests focus on safe driving, driving distraction detection, and autonomous driving.
Beyond his academic pursuits, Alvin has gained substantial professional experience in various roles, including equipment engineering intern, customer service representative, and teaching assistant. His expertise spans the semiconductor manufacturing, professional freight services, and education sectors.
Alvin is also deeply committed to volunteer work, particularly with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET). He began his involvement as Chair of the UniMAP On Campus, which led to his swift appointment as Vice Chair (External) of the IET Malaysia Network Young Professionals Section (YPS). In this role, he organized a three-day site visit to Silicon Valley of the East and collaborate with the Communities Committee Asia Pacific, Singapore Network, and Brunei Network YPS.
Known for his social skills and deep appreciation for human relationships, Alvin believes that everything happens for a reason. He cherishes the experiences that life brings and is dedicated to contributing to and engineering a better world.
Alexia Williams (Apprentice representative)
Alexia is an Asset Lifecycle Engineer Project Lead working at Rolls-Royce Plc. Before this she was a Deployed Lifecycle Engineer working on the TP400 engine which powers the Airbus A400M. She is currently doing the Through-life Engineering Services Specialist Masters Degree Apprenticeship at Cranfield University. Alexia joined Rolls-Royce in 2018 as an Engineering Degree Apprentice doing a BEng in Aerospace Engineering at the University of the West of England, finishing in September 2022 having achieved a First-Class honours.
She has led projects within the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) of the TP400 engine section to eliminate inspection capability gaps and reduce turn-around times of engines.
Alexia is the current chair of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) Apprentice Panel, she is the Apprentice Representative in the UCAS Apprenticeship Stakeholder group as well as being on the IMechE Bath and Bristol Young Members Panel.
During the last year she has contributed over 200 hours to promoting STEM to the younger generation through Air Shows, Careers Fairs, Conferences and in schools. She is passionate about encouraging more women to go into engineering especially via an apprenticeship.
In 2023 Alexia was awarded an IET Future Talent Awards Boost Scholarship.
Ashvin Selvakannan (Technical Network representative)
Ashvin is a highly motivated mechanical engineering student at the University of Glasgow with an academic and practical history steeped in the marriage of engineering and collaborative leadership. He has a passion for engineering in the motorsport, automotive, and aerospace industries, as well as developing sustainable technologies. Ashvin believes in the power of networking and the notion of bringing diverse perspectives and personalities together to achieve a shared goal.
As the Young professional’s representative on the IET’s Automotive and Road Transport Systems Technical network, Ashvin is immersed in in the trends shaping the industry— involved in projects such as Electrification in Motorsports and establishing an EV charging buyers guide.
Ashvin has worked for global firms such as Autodesk in product testing roles while also volunteering for international NGO’s including the Inner Wheel Organization, Schneider electric along with national judging roles with ‘Engineers without Borders’ and ‘F1 in schools’. Ashvin’s current development vision is aimed at his role as the Head of Aerodynamics at UGRacing (FSUK 2022 champions) where he spearheads the management of an interdisciplinary team of engineers for the 2023 aerodynamics project.
As an avid public speaker, Ashvin has received nominations for the Global Young Leaders conference (GYLC), MUN’s, IET YP summit alongside Master of Ceremony (MC) roles throughout academia and volunteering events.
Outside the professional and academic workspace, Ashvin can be found playing sports and is an ardent traveller.
Julieanna Rufai (UK Student representative)
Julieanna is a final-year student pursuing an Integrated Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Warwick University. She completed a successful internship with Amey. Julieanna is passionate about promoting STEM to younger generations, and she actively seeks to inspire the next wave of engineers.
She believes in the importance of visibility as a catalyst for increasing STEM engagement, which has driven Julieanna’s commitment to spreading awareness. She has volunteered at various events, including the Big Bang Fair and the VEX Robotics competition, where she became the head judge. Additionally, she has collaborated with secondary schools to run STEM clubs and deliver presentations aimed at demystifying engineering. Her dedication was recently recognised with the "Most Engaged Mentor" award at the House of Parliament for her work mentoring secondary students with Generating Genius.
At the core of her mission, Julieanna is driven by the motto: "Dream, Desire, Achieve, then Inspire." She believes in turning dreams into tangible goals and strives to motivate and help others by sharing her experiences and knowledge. Through her social media platform, julscycle, she has begun sharing her life as an engineering student.
Julieanna was first introduced to the IET when she became a Future Talent Award recipient. Also being neurodiverse, she is a passionate advocate for diversity and intersectionality. She aims to break down barriers and make engineering opportunities more known and accessible to all.
Currently working on a Formula Student EV Powertrain project, she aspires to pursue a career in the motorsport industry; and is interested in holistic sustainability, exploring innovative ways technology can be utilised to drive sustainable engineering solutions. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she enjoys practising judo and participating in hackathons.
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