The Team
Cambridge Atomworks is a start-up within the Cambridge innovation ecosystem focused on delivering a nuclear micro-reactor built in the UK. We are specialists in nuclear engineering and reactor design, with a mission to redefine energy access by deploying advanced nuclear micro-reactors that deliver clean, reliable power to off-grid industries and communities worldwide.
Our vision is that by 2030 we will demonstrate the transformative potential of nuclear micro-reactors through an operational prototype. By the mid-2030s, we intend to become a trusted global supplier of clean, sustainable energy to off-grid customers.
This ambition will be realised through the delivery of the ODIN Micro-reactor, a low-pressure, molten-salt-cooled, solid-fuel fission reactor integrated with power conversion and heat rejection systems, enabling substantial and compact, standalone electricity supply without external connections.
Board of Directors
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Ian Farnan - CEO
Ian Farnan is Chair of Cambridge Nuclear Energy Centre and a Professor of Earth & Nuclear Materials at the University of Cambridge. He is an expert in the effect of nuclear radiation and high temperatures on materials…
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Eugene Shwageraus - CTO
Eugene Shwageraus is a Professor of Nuclear Energy Systems Engineering at the University of Cambridge Engineering Department and former Director of the MPhil in Nuclear Energy. Prior to joining Cambridge Atomworks…
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Peter Haigh - Technical Director and Chief Engineer
Dr Peter Haigh is a renowned expert in reactor physics, core design, and analytical engineering, boasting over 20 years of diverse industry and academic experience…
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Alistair Pettey - Non-Executive Director
Alistair Pettey has vibrant and extensive financial experience gained from the Equity, Energy and Foreign exchange markets during a career spanning 35 years…
Advisory Board
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Daniel Marcus - Strategic Adviser
Dan leads MarcX, a business consultancy company that provides strategic advice and solutions to clients across the spectrum. He has over 30 years of industry experience, combining business and legal expertises…
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Tony Roulstone - Senior Technical Adviser
Tony Roulstone received his degree from the University of Cambridge and has spent much of his career in the nuclear and aerospace industries, starting with UKAEA working on fast reactor systems, followed by 20 years at Rolls-Royce…
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Lassina Zerbo - Senior International Nuclear Adviser
Dr Lassina Zerbo is a distinguished nuclear science diplomat and geophysicist, championing Africa’s role in addressing global challenges. As Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, he spearheaded initiatives to make energy safer…
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Tony Judd - Senior Nuclear Adviser
Dr Tony Judd is a chartered engineer with more than forty years' experience in nuclear engineering, including a period as Chief Technologist for Fast Reactors, responsible for the entire UK national fast reactor R&D programme…
Cambridge Atomworks consists of a combination of experienced Cambridge University nuclear research scientists and engineers and experienced industry professionals from Rolls Royce (submarines) and Moltex, a UK molten salt reactor startup. Our leadership team is at the forefront of global thinking about innovation in nuclear reactor programme delivery and experienced in actual delivery in the UK through the UK’s naval reactor programme.
The Team
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Andrew Steer - Head of Regulatory Engagement
Dr Andrew Steer is Head of Regulatory Engagement with responsibility for all aspects of licensing and permitting for the Odin reactor…
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Simon Boddington - Lead Physicist
Simon is a reactor physicist with over 10 years of industry experience covering PWR and thermal and fast spectrum molten salt reactor designs…
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Rui Guo - Lead Materials Scientist
Dr Rui Guo obtained his first degree in Materials Science from the University of Birmingham before being admitted to the University of Cambridge…
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James Leybourn - Design Engineering Lead
James leads the Design Engineering Team at Cambridge Atomworks and has responsibility for developing and delivering the engineering programme…
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Luke Godfrey - Thermal Hydraulics Lead
Luke graduated from Cambridge University with a Master's in General Engineering. He worked for 3.5 years on cutting-edge thermal simulations at Dyson…
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Sharon Perry - Programme Manager
Dr Sharon Perry is a programme manager with extensive experience spanning engineering, innovation, and cross-sector programme management and delivery…
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Radwan Kheroua - Nuclear Systems Engineer
Within the Thermal Hydraulics team, Radwan focuses on plant and systems modelling, normal operation and accidental transient analyses, and heat exchanger design…
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Thomas Chalklen - Materials Engineer
Dr Thomas Chalklen completed his BA, MSc and PhD in Materials Science at the University of Cambridge, with research interests in energy harvesting, sensors and mechanical properties…
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Jake Miles - Nuclear Engineer
After earning a BSc in Physics from the University of Leeds, Jake completed a Masters degree in Nuclear Energy at the University of Cambridge. He then briefly researched reactor physics and shutdown systems…
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Congjin Ding - Reactor Design Engineer
Dr Congjin Ding obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Engineering at Grenoble-INP and North China Electric Power University, her Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering…
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Anuj Dubey - Thermal Hydraulics Engineer
Dr Anuj Dubey is a post-doctoral researcher working with the nuclear engineering group at the University of Cambridge. He obtained his M.S. and PhD degrees in nuclear engineering…
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Alejandra de Lara - Fuel Engineer
Dr Alejandra de Lara recently completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge sponsored by Framatome. Her research involved adapting fuel codes for molten salt reactors…
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Kiran Nutter - Nuclear Engineer
Dr Kiran Nutter obtained his MSci degree in Physics from the University of Birmingham before undertaking and completing his PhD within the Nuclear Physics group at the University of Birmingham…
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Michelle Quien - Materials Engineer
Dr Michelle Quien is a Materials Engineer researching coolant properties and material compatibility over the reactor’s lifetime…
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Can Inanc - Mechanical Engineer
Can focuses on the design and build of critical reactor components. His responsibilities include the development of structural components, vessels, and pipework…
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Alex Agathangelou - Laboratory Technician
Alex is currently the Laboratory Technician at Cambridge Atomworks, where he is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the company’s laboratory…
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Chira Zerbo - International Business Development Manager
Chira holds an MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Nottingham and an MSc in Global Health & Social Justice…
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Jo Boyle - Chief of Staff
Jo worked at the University of Cambridge for 14 years as an Administrator for the Nuclear Energy MPhil Course and the Nuclear Engineering Research Group. Prior to that she was a Marketing Manager for two medium-sized UK accountancy firms…
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Laura Hatch - Business Administrator
Laura is responsible for managing correspondence, planning events, providing admin support and organising press releases as well as assisting with recruitment and social media…
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Andy Woods - Scientific Adviser
Andy is an expert in fluid flow and heat transfer in complex multiphase processes, and brings a combination of experimental and theoretical modelling approaches…
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Richard Bulkley - Corporate Development
Richard is an experienced transactions advisor and operating partner with a broad range of technical, commercial and accountings skills…
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Peter Benie - IT Consultant
Peter has over 20 years' experience supporting IT systems in a research environment. His skills include full-stack web development, Unix and Windows systems administration, and electronics.
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James Barlow - Chief Financial Officer
James is a Chartered Accountant, he qualified with Grant Thornton one of the largest Accountancy firms. After qualifying he went on secondment…
Summer Interns - 2026
Sol Inglis, Rachel Wald and Alex Hempel