The Cambridge Trust

I've been surrounded by aircraft and air shows for as long as I can remember. My father was a technician in the South African Air Force, and I vividly recall the awe I felt as a child when the U.S. Air Force brought their massive, thunderous machines to a show. This early exposure fuelled my passion for aviation. I went on to specialise in aeronautic engineering during my undergraduate studies and worked in the industry, focusing on jet engine design. My employer later funded my master’s degree, which I completed part-time. Coming from a family where my parents didn't attend university, I feel fortunate to have had these educational opportunities._‍‍

"Pursuing a PhD at Cambridge was a dream that would have been unattainable without support from the Cambridge Trust. Cambridge was my top and only choice due to its strength in my research area: fluid mechanics."

My work focuses on thermoacoustic oscillations in jet engines and rockets, a persistent issue that can cause excessive noise, increased emissions and even structural failure. These oscillations are notoriously difficult to predict and often manufacturers only realise the severity of the problem when the first prototype fails, resulting in significant financial loss. This has made manufacturers reluctant to explore new low-emission combustor architectures, which increase the risk of thermoacoustic oscillations

To address this, we have developed a novel modelling approach, which we tested on a simple laboratory rig using a tube with a flame inside. This setup allows us to cheaply collect and analyse large amounts of data to develop more accurate predictive models. Our research aims to save time, money, and energy by reducing the number of required experiments and minimising prototype destruction. We hope this will encourage manufacturers to explore more efficient designs.

Being at Cambridge has been a dream, offering access to world experts, resources, and funding for conferences. Winning the best paper award at a conference in Zurich was a highlight and has opened doors in both academia and industry. Whether I stay in academia or return to industry, my future will undoubtedly remain in aerospace.

The Cambridge Trust awards around 600 scholarships annually to students from across the world. Over the past 40 years, the Trust has awarded more than 22,000 scholarships. The Cambridge University Endowment Fund (“CUEF”) manages the Trust’s main investments, with a value of £210 million at 31st July 2024.