Huge thanks to Oak for contributing to Concord's Spectrum magazine for students interested in STEM careers. We hope you enjoy his Concord memories and insightful career advice.

Concord Memories...

I joined Concord in Form 3, so I got to experience the full journey from lower school to sixth form. The cohort was very small in Form 3: we were a tight-knit group and did everything together. Moving into Form 4 and 5, life became a little more serious with GCSEs looming. Nonetheless, chemistry classes with Mr Weaver were always entertaining; Dr Donaldson never failed to make history fun and captivating; and studying economics with Mr Farrell was so compelling that, for a brief moment, I considered it instead of engineering.

Sixth Form then went by in a flash. One of my favourite moments had to be the orientation week at the start of 6.2. Getting to work with other prefects, and seeing new joiners gradually settle in because of our efforts was truly rewarding.

I also carry with me many treasured, nostalgic memories from my time as a boarder. From studying religiously on Friday nights for the Saturday tests, to water balloon fights in the corridors of Main Hall—don’t repeat this—we shared some of our best and worst moments together in the dorm. I also had the coolest house parents—they know who they are ;)

What would your teachers say you were like as a student?

I’d say my teachers perceived me as a driven, energetic, and playful student—perhaps a little too playful at times. I’m sure Mr Wilson, Mrs Arthur, Mr Cherenkov, Dr Willetts, and many more would agree. Throughout my academic journey at Concord, I had many highs and lows. There were times when I was distracted and losing sight of my goals, but my teachers kept me in check and made sure that I realized my potential, for which I am immensely grateful.

What activities did you get involved in and what are your happiest Concord memories?

I particularly enjoyed the team sports I played back in Concord. The football fields and Sports Halls were my second home. I represented Concord in the U16 football team and was part of the lifeguard crew in Sixth Form. The House events, especially House Arts, also created many cherished memories for me. It was the camaraderie and intense, yet quiet, competitiveness that made those events truly special; I can only imagine Teresa still at the top of the table—and Mr Weaver’s Gandhi, well…not so close behind. I also took on leadership positions as Lower School House Captain and later as Head Boy.

Serena Merican and Oak, head prefects in 2020

Moving on to university...How did you decide on your degree? Did you ever consider anything else?

I started by reflecting on the subjects I genuinely enjoyed studying. I knew I had a strong interest in mathematics, physics, and problem-solving, which made engineering a natural choice. I also briefly considered economics, as I had enjoyed it very much during my GCSEs, but ultimately chose engineering. Within the field, aerospace stood out to me because I’ve always been fascinated by aircraft and the cutting-edge innovations in the industry. After all, achieving flight remains one of humanity’s greatest accomplishments.

How did studying in Bristol compare to what you expected?

I never had the chance to visit Bristol before enrolling, but I knew it was home to one of the best aerospace engineering schools in the country. Hence, I braced myself for a challenging academic journey, but it turned out to be even more difficult than I anticipated. The learning curve was steep; to perform well, you must be adaptable, driven, and resilient. Help was available when I needed it, but compared to Concord, I had to push harder to reach my lecturers for support.

I had less down time to join societies and hang out with friends than I thought, especially during my 2nd and 3rd year. Overall, it was a much more intense experience than what I expected, but I’m glad I was able to somewhat balance my academics and enjoy other aspects of university life.
 

Can you share any times when you doubted your choices or changed your mind?

There were many times before, and even more frequently throughout the course, when I doubted my decision to choose aerospace engineering. I vividly remember a time when I spent 24 hours straight in the library, trying to finish a seemingly unmanageable coursework on analysing an aircraft wing’s excessive vibrations. In moments like that, I seriously questioned my choice. What if I had taken another course? What if I’m better suited to a different discipline? These questions often surfaced—especially during the turbulent, exhausting periods.

It’s almost impossible to make a decision you know is 100% ‘right’. All you can do is evaluate your current situation, reflect on your strengths and passions, and make the choice that feels most right in the moment. Then, you commit to it, give it your best, and stay open to adapting along the way. More often than not, you can’t see where your choices will lead; you can only connect the dots in hindsight.

What was life like as a student in Bristol?

Life as a student in Bristol was vibrant and welcoming. I was part of the Thai Society, which helped me connect with a supportive community. The city’s diversity, creative energy, and campus-like layout made it easy to settle in. There was always something happening, from food markets and music events to relaxing green spaces, and the people were incredibly friendly and open.

We have some questions from current students for Spectrum Magazine...
Can you share the key findings from your final year dissertation? What inspired you to choose this particular topic?

Because I was already intrigued by composites, largely because of the materials’ unique properties and endless application possibilities, I wanted to make a direct, tangible impact to this fast-growing field, and the final year research project was the perfect opportunity to do so. My research addresses an issue within the area of composite testing. The current state-of-the-art process to measure an essential fracture mechanics parameter is inaccurate, inconsistent, and time intensive. As a result, the strengths of novel materials cannot be easily identified, and performing quality checks in the composites industry remain a persistent struggle. Ultimately, my dissertation demonstrated the feasibility of using image processing algorithms to automatically determine the mentioned fracture mechanics parameter, eliminating subjectivity from human operators and improving efficiency by over 60%.

Could you highlight some of the engineering projects you've worked on, either during internships or in your current role?

I recently completed a research internship at the Bristol Composites Institute, the UK’s largest composite-focused research group. During my time there, I was part of a project team that conducted research for Airbus. Modern aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 737 increasingly utilize composite materials in their structure, especially carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP). Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) has become a key manufacturing process for aerospace composite parts, such as fuselages and wing skins, due to its precision, efficiency, and ability to produce complex parts consistently. However, unpredictable defects continue to arise in industry, and with numerous variables potentially affecting component quality, our project focused on identifying optimal AFP parameters to minimize defect generation.

Although the project was still ongoing when I left, we had uncovered several fascinating and unexpected findings that Airbus found particularly valuable. (I can’t elaborate further since the work hasn't been officially published.)

What is your primary area of specialisation or interest in engineering, and what motivated you to pursue it?

Apart from Structures & Materials, I particularly enjoyed the Flight Dynamics & Control module where we explored flight stability and manoeuvrability in depth. I found it especially fascinating because it allowed us to dive into the underlying physics of how aircraft fly and respond to control inputs. It brought together concepts from aerodynamics, propulsion, and control systems, which I found intellectually rewarding.

For example, a task I particularly enjoyed was developing the equations needed to determine control surface deflections to counterbalance the effect of an added sensor on one wing. This required applying core flight dynamics principles in a practical context. Additionally, we spent time working with real flight data to derive insights, such as calculating sink rates and evaluating handling qualities across different configurations.

I found the process of analysing flight data and connecting it to the aircraft’s physical behaviour both challenging and rewarding. Overall, what stood out to me about this sub-discipline was how it bridged complex theory with practical application, using advanced equations and principles to solve tangible problems related to aircraft performance and stability.
 

From a materials perspective, how can advancements in composites and other materials improve the sustainability of aircraft and air travel? Are there any emerging technologies or innovations that show particular promise for enhancing aircraft efficiency?

Composites are increasingly used within airframes instead of conventional materials, most notably aluminium alloys, primarily because they provide the necessary structural integrity at a lower weight. A lighter aircraft requires less power to fly, and less power means reduced fuel consumption. However, unlike their metal alloy predecessors, fibre-reinforced composites are extremely difficult to recycle, as the fibre strands are tightly bonded to the matrix during curing. As a result, while composites improve fuel efficiency, they are arguably a less sustainable option due to the significant challenges involved in recycling them at the end of their lifecycle. To address this issue, ongoing research is focused on developing more efficient composite recycling methods, as well as exploring the use of natural fibres, such as bamboo or wood fibres, in place of synthetic carbon fibres.

Do you think that sustainability is a major focus in the aerospace industry today?

Yes, but possibly not enough. Bluntly speaking, aircraft manufacturers and airlines tend to prioritise profitability and operational efficiency over sustainability concerns. While there is certainly ongoing research, such as developing sustainable aviation fuels, improving engine efficiency, and exploring lighter or more recyclable materials, the pace of adoption often seems driven more by regulatory pressure or cost-saving opportunities than by environmental responsibility alone.

That said, I do believe the industry is becoming more aware of its environmental footprint, especially with growing public scrutiny and climate-related regulations. So while sustainability is definitely on the radar, it doesn’t always feel like it’s at the core of decision-making just yet.

What are the main challenges in developing low-carbon or carbon-neutral aircraft and integrating them into mainstream commercial aviation? In your opinion, which technology—hydrogen-powered aircraft, electric-powered aircraft, or a combination of both—is the most realistic path to achieving carbon-neutral aviation?

I don’t have in-depth expertise on alternative aviation fuels, but from what I understand, both hydrogen and electric-powered aircraft offer promising but different paths toward carbon-neutral aviation. Each technology faces its own challenges—electric with battery weight and range, hydrogen with storage, infrastructure, and safety. A combination of both may be the most realistic solution, tailored to different flight types and distances.

What is a piece of advice that you will give to young aspiring engineers?

The learning curve is steep; a lot of projects or modules will seem complex at first. You might feel lost and intimidated—I know I did, but resilience and consistency are key. Believing in yourself and taking initiative is already half the battle ☺