Dr Suela Kellici

I am currently an Associate Professor in Materials Engineering and the Deputy Head of the School of Engineering and Design. I completed a degree in Chemistry and a PhD in Materials Chemistry at Queen Mary University of London. Before joining LSBU, I worked as a researcher at University College London. At LSBU, I have held several roles, including Postgraduate Research Director and Head of the London Centre for Energy Engineering. I am also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Higher Education Academy.

I lead NANO2D Lab and we are currently working on several research projects. We rationally design and synthetically engineer materials using a target-oriented approach in order to deliver world-class materials engineering. The group has developed expertise in material synthesis using a green, continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis process that enables a step change in cost, materials performance and durability.

Functional 2D structures (e.g. graphene, MXene), 0D quantum dots (e.g. graphene, biomass derived carbon quantum dots), metals, and metal oxides (homo/hetero), are all part of our materials portfolio. We apply these materials in energy related areas (supercapacitors/batteries, green hydrogen production), environmental (water treatments, photocatalysis), and biomedical applications (antibacterial, photothermal and bio-tagging).

Click here to see an overview of our research:
1) www.nano2d.co.uk
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1-0mHDVrDQ

I am recipient of InnovateUK funding, industrial partners, as well as EPSRC Grand Challenges. I have been awarded several prizes for my work including first prize in the Materials Innovation for the 21st Century and the Increased Manufacturing Value poster at the ChemEngdayUK 2014 for my research on the synthesis of graphene. I am recipient of “Early Career Scientific Achievement", 2017 award (School of Engineering, Staff Award) and "2023, PGR Supervisor of the Year" (LSBU Staff award). Nano2D lab was selected as finalist in IChemE Global Awards 2020 in the Research Project category where we presented “Using Water for Next Generation 2D-Materials”. To highlight, the paper titled: “Continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis of blue-luminescent, excitation-independent nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots as nanosensors”, Journal of Materials Chemistry A 8.6 (2020): 3270-3279 was editorial choice for the themed collection: Editor’s Choice: Hydrothermal Materials Synthesis for Journal Materials Chemistry A and Materials Advances.

I am also passionate about increasing access to Higher Education and the numbers of women working in STEM. I am involved in coordinating/participating in activities for open days and outreach activities for LSBU (e.g. LSBU 100: Centenary of Women in Engineering, Salters Festival, International Woman in Engineering day) as well as externally (STEMNET) and taking on interns and supervising Erasmus students.
Click to see more:
1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b62hjJz_1Ks
2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dW-Jr-O19U

Deputy Head, School of Engineering and Design                                  

Head, Materials Analysis Device Design (MADD) 

Head, London Centre for Energy Engineering

Postgraduate Research Director