Cat has a technical background in engineering structures and materials, and is developing research interests in technology transfer. Her materials work has focused on supplementary cementitious systems and utilising construction and industrial wastes to this end.
Her undergraduate thesis was titled, ‘A Preliminary Study into the Effect of Biomass Ash Inclusion as Partial Replacement for OPC on Cement Mortar Strength Development’ and was supervised by Professor John McCarter at Heriot-Watt University.
Her master’s thesis was titled, ‘Are WE Nearly There Yet?’ and was supervised by Dr Shima Barakat and Professor Abir Al-Tabbaa. This work examined the barriers to academic entrepreneurship facing women at the University of Cambridge.
Cat is currently supervised by Professor Abir Al-Tabbaa for her PhD research focussing on developing novel cementitious materials and pathways for transfer them to industry. She also works with Dr Shima Barakat developing and delivering an academic entrepreneurship training program for women faculty across the collegiate university. Her PhD is funded by the EPSRC, and the training program by an innovation grant from Research England.
In her spare time, Cat enjoys theatre and is currently the Designers’ Representative on the Cambridge University Amateur Dramatics Club committee.
