News & Blog

Material worlds: meet Concretene’s Xueying and Aneesa

Two of our scientists - Xueying Wang and Aneesa Lathif - recently received their PhD and Master’s awards, respectively. We sat down to discuss their journey in material science, their roles at Concretene and the importance of visibility for women in science and engineering roles…

When did you first become interested in science and engineering?

Xueying: For me it started from a really young age because of my family background. My grandpa was professor in China and wrote the textbook for his field of veterinary medicine. My other grandpa from my mum’s side taught mathematics and wrote the Chinese college entry examinations. My aunt and uncle are also professors, so they inspired me to want to learn about science.

Aneesa: I grew up in a family of engineers in India, so I developed an early interest in science and engineering. I was always curious in school science labs and enjoyed the hands-on aspect of experiments. Later on, when we were living in the Middle East, my father was a project manager and introduced me to large-scale construction projects. This blend of academic and real-world experience inspired me to delve deeper into the world of STEM.

Tell us a bit about your studies and your journey to Manchester…

Aneesa: After finishing a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering at the University of Calicut in India, I worked as an Assistant Quality Control Engineer on a Kerala State road project, getting hands-on experience in material testing and batching and from there took a role as Material Engineer on a project at Cochin International Airport.

I had a maternity break and undertook a Master’s in Structural Engineering at Anna University, also in India. My interest in materials science developed further through a project on sustainable concrete using powdered glass as a fine aggregate substitute.

After that, I refined my expertise in material procurement, laboratory setup, and managing QC teams for major infrastructure projects, including the National Highway NH-85 in Kerala.

Finally, I moved to Manchester to pursue an MSc in Project Management in Construction at the University of Salford and then to Concretene, which is my first true R&D role.

Xueying: I went to Hong Kong 10 years ago to do my undergrad at the City University of Hong Kong and at the end of year one, I became a student ambassador and they gave me a scholarship to attend a summer school in London. I immediately fell in love with London and when I was a third-year undergrad, I came over to study at University College London.

I have two Masters – the first was from Imperial College, where I studied general structural engineering, designing all different kinds of structures with different materials: concrete, steel, timber, structural analysis, fire protection, numerical modelling etc. It was quite overwhelming but I felt like my skills improved a lot.

And then I won another scholarship to be on at CDT [Centre of Doctoral Training] course at Cambridge, which is a one-year Masters, plus three years PhD. There my focus shifted from civil and structural engineering to what they call ‘Future Infrastructure and Built Environment’, so you’re thinking about resilience, sustainability, smart buildings – everything with a future scope. I had two industrial partners: National Highways [UK government road infrastructure body] and Versarien [graphene manufacturer] and my PhD was about using carbon nanomaterials in concrete.

Aneesa, what does a typical day look like for you at Concretene?

Aneesa:I start by reviewing the testing schedule and preparing materials for the day’s experiments. I’ve been familiarising myself with research-focused techniques like air permeability, admixture dissolution and calorimetry, alongside more-familiar methods like cube casting, slump, and flow analysis.

The research-based tests provide deeper insights into concrete’s material properties, with calorimetry being particularly fascinating for studying the heat of hydration in cement.

Throughout the day, I collaborate with my colleagues, especially Yasmim, our Lead Cement Scientist, who mentors me in new techniques. I ensure all tests are performed with precision, continually looking for ways to optimise lab processes and improve efficiency.

Xueying, you have a slightly different role as a KTP Associate from the University of Manchester, funded by Concretene and Innovate UK. How does that work for you from a day-to-day perspective?

Xueying: I'm leading this Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) project on my own, which means everything day-to-day, from planning, doing the experimental work, data analysis, project management, presentations to the company, the University and investors. The knowledge transfer aspect means having regular meetings with colleagues in Concretene to share my insights and discuss about how the KTP project is helping the company.

What I like about the role is having access to results from both sides, the company and the university, and helping the company to understand nanomaterials at a fundamental level. That’s difficult in industry because the pace is so fast and you have project deadlines and don’t have the time to investigate at a deeper level. But ultimately that understanding will help you to move the technology forward more quickly.

Women are generally under-represented in engineering and construction. What do you see as the main barriers to overcome?

Aneesa: In my career, I've frequently found myself in environments where women are in the minority, facing challenges like work-life balance, maternity leave and shift work. At Concretene, I am fortunate to be part of an organisation that ensures equal participation of women in STEM. This drives innovation and enhances the overall quality of our projects.

Women bring unique perspectives, particularly in long-term planning and project vision. As a mother, I’ve developed strategic thinking skills that add value to project management. By fostering inclusive policies and mentorship, the industry can fully realise the potential of all talent, regardless of gender.

Xueying: I feel lucky to work in the Concretene family because I think we have a really inclusive culture for women and have female staff in key roles. More generally in engineering and construction, I can understand why there are more men than women from a historical perspective, when it was a matter of strength. When I started my research in concrete, I couldn’t lift these huge concrete cubes and my post-doc at the time, who is also a woman, said: “Go home and work on your abs!” So I did and after a few months I could lift anything. It’s a simple example but the point I think for women and girls is that you shouldn’t limit yourself, just work on it.

We need more female role models so that young women can look up to them and believe they can do it, too. It can build confidence to understand that we can be leaders in the construction industry, we can do whatever men can do in this field.

The other thing we’re really good at is networking and supporting each other to highlight issues of needing more representation in the industry, which has to be a good thing for the sustainability of the sector.

Do you see yourselves heading more towards academia or industry in the future?

Xueying: Nowadays there is more of a grey area between academia and industry in our field – for example in the university there is a requirement within the civil engineering department you have a certain percentage of professors or lecturer who are chartered engineers. And on the other side, if you're working in industry, you often have consultants from academia. So ultimately, I think you don’t necessarily have to choose and you can do a bit on both sides.

Aneesa: I have always enjoyed the experimental and hands-on aspects of science, but I am also passionate about applying my knowledge to solve real-world challenges, so I’m increasingly drawn towards industrial R&D. My experience in the construction and cement sectors, combined with my current role at Concretene, aligns with my goal of contributing to innovative projects. Moving forward, I aim to enhance my expertise in QC by merging both research insights and industry practices to improve the quality, sustainability and longevity of concrete products.

What do you enjoy doing outside work?

Xueying: I love travelling in the UK and I feel like I get my energy back from the nature. My partner and I have National Trust membership and there are lots of places to visit around Manchester or one or two hours’ driving distance away. My favourite close to Manchester is Tatton Park, where you can watch deer and they have a lovely gardens with fountains and fruit trees. Further away, we love Ingleton Waterfalls in North Yorkshire, which has beautiful falls and a well-managed trail for walking.

Aneesa: I love nature and photography, traveling to scenic locations and exploring historic buildings. Since moving to the UK, I’ve explored several beautiful places, with Peak District being my favourite getaway. I recently visited Wray Castle in the Lake District, near Windermere. Living in Manchester offers me the perfect base for exploring the UK's majestic locations, inspiring my ongoing love for nature and sustainable construction.

Find out more about the team at Concretene