About

My research reveals how microstructural heterogeneity governs transport, performance, and failure in electrochemical energy devices.

I work at the intersection of physics, engineering, and materials science, using operando tomography and quantitative analysis. I am currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, Department of Materials.

Pranay Shrestha
Education

Ph.D., Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

2018 – 2023

University of Toronto

  • Vanier Canada Graduate Scholar, Gold Medal recipient
  • Thesis: Heterogeneous water transport in fuel cell materials
  • Supervisor: Prof. Aimy Bazylak

M.A.Sc., Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

2015 – 2017

University of Toronto

  • Thesis: Custom microporous layers for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

B.Eng. (Honours), Mechanical Engineering

2010 – 2015

University of Victoria

  • Gold Medal — highest GPA in department
  • Thesis: 3D-printed wrist joint for above-wrist prosthetic devices
Research Experience

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow

2026 – 2028

Upcoming independent fellowship

  • Funded by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (€267,000)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow

2023 – present

University of Oxford, Department of Materials

  • Operando and multiscale characterization of solid-state batteries, linking microstructure evolution to performance
  • Secured and led synchrotron experiments at Diamond Light Source and ESRF; primary liaison between Oxford and Diamond
  • Supervised junior researchers, managed industrial collaborations, and commissioned >£300k of new infrastructure

Researcher, TEAM Laboratory

2015 – 2023

University of Toronto

  • Collaborated with 8 international institutions and 3 automakers — 22 journal publications
  • Led material fabrication lab division: novel carbon-based porous materials with up to 14% performance improvement
  • Pioneered dual-modality simultaneous neutron and X-ray tomography of fuel cells

Visiting Research Fellow

2023

PoreLab, University of Oslo

  • Two-phase fluid flow in porous media — InterPore PoreLab Award for Young Researchers

Visiting Researcher

2018

Helmholtz Institute Ulm, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology

  • Fabricated custom catalyst layers for fuel cells; Karlsruhe International Collaboration grant
Professional Experience

Fuel Cell Material Test & Characterization Engineer

2014

Mercedes-Benz Canada Fuel Cell Department

  • Characterized mechanical properties of gas diffusion layers for large-scale manufacturing

Mechanical Engineering Design Co-op

2013

New World Technologies Inc.

  • Designed reaction arms for torque wrenches using finite element and failure analysis

Aircraft Modeling Engineer, Ice Blast R&D

2012

Coulson Aircrane

  • Modeled water tank structure for Lockheed C-130Q aircraft, now in production

Clinical Trials Project Lead

2014 – 2015

Victoria Hand Project, Nepal

  • Led expansion to Nepal; designed patented 3D-printed wrist mechanism; project now in 10+ countries
Funding & Awards
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship €267,000 · 2026–2028
Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship $150,000 · 2019–2022
G. Michael Bancroft PhD Thesis Award Top thesis · Canadian Light Source · 2024
InterPore PoreLab Award for Young Researchers International field-wide award · 2023
CSME Gold Medal Top academic achievement in PhD · 2023
Total competitive funding acquired > $686,000