Rate My Professor Oana Ghita

Professor Oana Ghita holds the Victrex/Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair in Large-Scale Process Development of PAEK-based Materials for Sustainable, Durable Renewable Energy Applications and serves as Professor of Materials Science and Manufacturing in the Engineering Department within the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy at the University of Exeter. She is the Department Research Lead for the Exeter Engineering 2030 project and Co-director of the Exeter Technologies Group (ETG), overseeing research centres including the Centre for Additive Layer Manufacturing (CALM), where she acts as academic lead. Her career began as a PhD student and Research Fellow in the Sensors and Composites Research Group at Cranfield Defence and Security, part of Cranfield University, before joining the University of Exeter.

Oana Ghita's research centres on high-performance polymers and composites, exploring the interplay between molecular structure, morphology, manufacturing processes, and resultant properties. She specializes in additive manufacturing methods such as Large Format Additive Manufacturing, Powder Bed Fusion, and Material Extrusion, targeting high-temperature polymers including PEEK, PEK, PAEKs, and their composites reinforced with glass, carbon, or ceramic fibres. Current projects address PAEK applications in renewable energy, automotive high-voltage magnet wire insulation, and in-line process monitoring via near-IR and Raman spectroscopy to enhance efficiency and reduce waste. She has secured over £10 million in funding from EPSRC, Innovate UK, and industrial partners like Victrex Plc and the Manufacturing Technology Centre, including multimillion-pound partnerships for next-generation PAEK materials and high-temperature additive manufacturing initiatives. A Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (FIMMM) and member of the EPSRC Early Career Forum in Manufacturing Research since 2012, she contributes to the EPSRC Peer Review College and European Commission reviews, fostering strong industry collaborations.