When I was little, I dreamt of being a historian.

Today, I channel that curiosity into my role as an International Welding Engineer (IWE) with a robust background in research and welding technology across Germany and Aotearoa New Zealand. My journey began with a Mechanical & Welding Engineering degree from Kiev Polytechnic Institute, followed by a PhD from Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg.

At HERA, I wear many hats. As the General Manager of Fab 4.0 and the Welding Centre, I lead a dedicated team in providing technical consulting, training, audits, and spearheading various R&D projects and grants for our members. Additionally, as the General Manager of HERA Certifications Ltd, I ensure we deliver certification services to our clients in accordance with the rigorous standards of ISO 3834, SFC, and AS/NZS 5131, and oversee our accreditation in alignment with the International Institute of Welding (IIW) and ISO 17065.

My work also involves contributing to the evolution of industry standards across Aotearoa and Australia, particularly in welding fabrication and quality standards – in particular WD-003 which is involved in the revision of AS/NZS 1554, AS/NZS ISO 3834, AS/NZS 2980, AS/NZS ISO 9606, and AS/NZS 5131. I played a pivotal role in developing and implementing the New Zealand Steel Fabrication Certification Scheme (SFC), ensuring over 90% of the country’s structural steel output is SFC-certified, and have authored and co-authored over 80 publications in renowned journals and conferences.

Reflecting back on my childhood dreams, I can see being a historian has become my hobby – one that I get to entertain thanks to my job as an engineer! It has fuelled my passion for writing our history through our actions today – leveraging technology to enhance manufacturing efficiency, ensuring the durability and sustainability of materials, and exploring the future of welding and fabrication.

In the future, I truly believe engineers will save the world!

Expertise and interests

• Design of Welded Joints: Specialising in seismic and high cyclic fatigue applications.
• Smart Manufacturing 4.0: Integrating advanced technologies to enhance manufacturing efficiency including robotics.
• TOC: Applications of the Theory of Constraints in fabrication.
• AI-Based Quality Monitoring Systems: Leveraging artificial intelligence to improve quality assurance and compliance.
• Circular design 4.0: design optimisation for sustainability in steel construction. AI-based design optimisation.
• Fracture mechanics: development recommendations for the use of steel for low-temperature service
• Weldability and Corrosion Performance: Focusing on the durability and longevity of materials.
• Robotics: design optimisation for robotic applications.
• Low and high-cycle fatigue: weld design and analysis for fatigue applications.