Committee

Professor Ling Wang, Chair IOP Tribology Group, University of Southampton
Professor Honor Powrie, Chair IMechE Tribology Group, University of Southampton, GE Aerospace
Professor Ian Sherrington, Director Jost Institute for Tribotechnology, University of Lancashire
Dr Alan Armour, Royal Society of Chemistry and Climax Molybdenum
Dr. Ben Kew, Leeds University, STLE Student Chapter
Ms Seona Mauchline, University of Birmingham, STLE Student Chapter

Ling Wang, University of Southampton

Ling is Professor of Tribo-Sensing at the national Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS), University of Southampton. She has over 25 years research experience in the field of tribology and sensing and published over 100 research papers in relevant areas. Her research focuses on tribology of rolling contact fatigue; novel sensing techniques for tribological contacts; and intelligent tribological systems using machine learning methods. She is Fellow of British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) and chairs the Tribology Group Committee at Institute of Physics since 2022. She won the 2017 BINDT COMADIT Prize and the 2021 IMechE Donald Julius Groen Prize.

Professor Honor Powrie, University of Southampton

Honor Powrie has worked in the Aviation Industry for more than 30 years and is renowned for her expertise in Tribo-sensing, Machinery Health Monitoring and Asset Management. Honor is head of GE Aerospace’s UK Data Science Group, delivering innovative AI/ML based solutions for managing Aviation assets. Honor is also Visiting Professor in Data and Analytics, Asset Condition Monitoring and Management at the national Centre for Advanced Tribology at Southampton (nCATS), University of Southampton. She is Chair of the IMechE Tribology Group and a Member of the IOP Tribology Group. She was the recipient of the General Electric Edison Award in 2019 and the 2023 BINDT COMADIT Prize. Honor is included in the Engineering Icons Tube Map, a collaboration between TfL and the Royal Academy of Engineering, to celebrate the achievements of engineers past and present.

Prof Ian Sherrington, Director: Jost Institute for Tribotechnology, University of Central Lancashire

Ian Sherrington has been a passionate advocate of tribology as an element of sustainable engineering for many years, promoting good practice in tribology as tool to help arrest climate change by reducing power loss, emissions and the waste of materials. In 2000 he edited a book “Total Tribology” to encourage the use of best practice in tribology at all life cycle stages of a product. More recently, he instigated this series of workshops, “Tribology and the Journey to Net Zero”, now in their fourth year, with the aim of inspiring tribologists to maintain the momentum of applying good practice in tribology to optimise mechanism and system designs to reduce friction (power loss) and wear (material waste) thereby supporting good environmental practice.

Dr Alan Armour, Royal Society of Chemistry and Climax Molybdenum

Details to follow

Dr. Ben Kew, Leeds University, STLE Student Chapter

Ben Kew is a food scientist specialising in oral tribology and sensory science at the School of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds. His current research as an R&I Fellow at the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC) combines tribological measurements using 3D‑printed, tongue‑like surfaces with materials and colloid science to understand, predict, and overcome sensory, texture, and mouthfeel challenges, improving the acceptance of healthier, more sustainable plant‑based foods. Ben has been a part of the STLE UK Student chapter for three years serving previously as chair and recently joined the IMechE tribology committee. Ben was the recipient of the IMechE Tribology Bronze Medal in 2025.

Ms Seona Mauchline, University of Birmingham, STLE Student Chapter

Seona is a first-year PhD student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham. Her research focuses on focal cartilage repair, with particular emphasis on integrating the mechanical and tribological properties of native cartilage into composite repair devices to enhance the performance and longevity of orthopaedic solutions. She joined the STLE-UK Student Chapter committee this year as an Events Representative. Seona has a background in biochemistry, along with industrial experience in the medical devices and biofuels sectors. She is currently transitioning into tribology and expanding her knowledge within the engineering field, with the aim of contributing to advancements in medical devices.