Profile

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Zhixin Hu

    • About Me:

      I live in the Greater Manchester area, father of 2 boys. I like playing tennis, and travelling when I can.

    • Read more

      I am from China originally, studied in US for 5 years, and since then I’ve always been working in the North West (over 15 years now), worked on a few different engineering sectors and roles, most of which used some math skills somehow. Now I am enjoying working in the space sector, which is a sector requiring more mathematical knowledge and skills.

    • My pronouns are:

      he/him

    • How I use Maths in my work:

      Calculating risk numerically takes lot of probability and consequence calculation, modelling fire and explosion in details is part of computational fluid dynamics, which requires skills on partial differential equation (something people normally learn in university).

    • My Work:

      I am a risk and safety specialist working with UK Civil Aviation Authority. My work involves assessing safety for rocket launch in the UK.

    • My Typical Day:

      With hybrid working, everyday is different. After dropping my boy at school, I will be at my computer desk checking emails, joining a meeting or reading a report. In the afternoon I can do some analysis or coding, and discuss with colleagues on some recent rocket launches.

    • What I'd do with the prize money:

      If I win the prize money, I want to donate to KingsTrust fund or other similar charity to provide more support to young people who want to get into engineering field.

    CV

    • Education:

      2004-2008: University of Maryland, USA (MSc & PhD)

      1999 -2003: University of Science and Technology of China (BSc)

    • Qualifications:

      BSc, MSc, PhD

    • Work History:

      SEP 2005 TO DEC 2007
      National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), USA
      Guest Researcher on ventilation-controlled fire with FDS (Fire Dynamic Simulator)

      MAY 2009 TO MAR 2012
      Shell Global Solutions, UK
      Research Fellow, Part of an EU-funded research program ‘FP6 Engine Efficiency’;

      APR 2012 TO JULY 2016 – ESR Technology Ltd
      Senior Safety and Risk Consultant

      SEP 2016 TO MAR 2024 – Various Consultancies
      Senior/Principal Fire Engineer, Explosion Consultant

    • Current Job:

      APR 2024 TO PRESENT DATE – UK Civil Aviation Authority
      Risk and Process Safety Specialist; Responsibilities include:
      • Apply commercial and in-house fire, explosion and fragmentation models
      • Part of the space analysis team, a cross-disciplinary team covering orbital, flight safety and ground safety analysis
      • Apply cross-discipline lessons learnt to develop good practice.

    • Employer:

      UK Civil Aviation Authority

    • My Interview

      • What did you want to be after you left school?

        I wanted to be a news anchor

        Were you ever in trouble at school?

        I was a stutter and I am still one, although much better now than when in school

        If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?

        I also fancied being a trader, although I know I am far from being qualified.

        Who is your favourite singer or band?

        Coldplay

        What's your favourite food?

        Chinese food

        If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!

        Good sleep, never have to control on diet, time paused on those first a few years when I was in America.

        Tell us a joke.

        Why is 9 afraid of 7?

Questions answered by Zhixin

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