Ishan Raj AMIMechE - Chair

Ishan is an Associate Member (AMIMechE) of the IMechE and Chair of the Bath & Bristol Young Members Panel. Having joined in 2023, Ishan was previously the Panel's Vice Chair & Treasurer. He works as a Project Engineer at VEQTER Ltd in Bristol, where he has gained experience in engineering consulting for clients in the aerospace, nuclear, and energy sectors.

Ishan holds an MEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bristol and is actively working towards chartership with the IMechE. In his free time, he enjoys reading, exploring nature on walks, and volunteering with charities.

Contact Ishan at: ishan.raj@member.imeche.org

Montserrat Caso Fernández AMIMechE - Immediate Past Chair

Montserrat Caso Fernández is a Nuclear Engineer at AtkinsRealis, currently working as Lead Project Engineer for two major nuclear sites in the UK: Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C. She studied a MSc in Mechanical Engineering Design from the University of Manchester, and has nearly six years of engineering experience across three diverse industries: manufacturing, banking, and nuclear.

A member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for more than five years, Montserrat chaired the Bath & Bristol Young Members Panel. She loves the challenges that engineering brings, not only the technical aspects but also the leadership and strategic dimensions.

Contact Montserrat at:

Montserrat.Caso.Fernandez@member.imeche.org

Nely Georgiou AMIMechE - Vice Chair

Nely serves as Vice Chair of the Panel, having previously represented the University of Bristol as its University Representative. She is currently a Mechanical Engineering Graduate at Rolls-Royce and holds an MEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Bristol.

With a strong background in student leadership, Nely previously led the university’s Mechanical Engineering Society (MechSoc) as President and now continues to support the society as its Careers & Outreach Officer. Since joining the panel in 2023, she has made a significant impact—particularly during her time as Bristol’s University Representative—by organising key initiatives such as ‘Route to Chartership’ sessions and CV enhancement workshops.

Emily Burt AMIMechE - Secretary

Emily is an Associate Member of the IMechE, having recently transferred from the IET, where she held a similar role. She brings a fresh perspective and enthusiasm to the team, drawing on leadership experience as Vice President of her university’s Engineering Design Society and as a Student Champion for Engineers Without Borders UK, where she promoted globally responsible engineering in universities, through mentoring students and supporting the delivery of a national design challenge.

Emily is a Graduate Research Engineer at the NCC in Bristol, specialising in the design and manufacture of composite components across a range of industries. She holds an MEng in Engineering Design with Study in Industry from the University of Bristol.

Outside of engineering you can often find Emily outdoors - whether that is running, rock climbing or braving a cold dip in the sea!

Mariana Peres Duarte - Treasurer

Mariana is an Affiliate Member of the IMechE and currently serves as Treasurer for the panel. She is in her final year of Mechanical Engineering MEng at the University of Bristol, having recently returned from a year abroad at Purdue University. During her time at university, Mariana has held a variety of roles such as Vice President of the university’s mechanical engineering society and peer assisted study session (PASS) leader. She has also collaborated on engineering projects with companies such as Pratt & Whitney and the US Air Force Research Laboratory. 

Outside of engineering, Mariana enjoys playing tennis, spending time outdoors and relaxing with her cat.

Jack Mason EngTech MIMechE - Young Members Board Western Region Representative

Jack is the Young Member's Board Representative for the Regional Strategy Board (RSB) & Western Region, and is also Devon & Cornwall's Vice Chair. He sits on the Bath & Bristol YMP in an advisory position, liaising between the Panel, the Western Region and the Young Members Board. Jack's been part of the Volunteer Members Network since 2018, when joining Devon & Cornwall Area Committee as the Young Members Representative. Jack is a Mechanical Design Engineer at Babcock International Group at Devonport Royal Dockyard, where he completed the graduate scheme. He graduated from the University of Plymouth with a MEng in Mechanical Engineer.

Contact Jack at Jack.Mason@member.imeche.org 

 

Joe Roberts-Percy MEng CEng MIMechE - Supporting Member

A graduate of the University of Bath; Joe spent the early part of his career as a Graduate Mechanical & Electrical Engineer before moving into project engineering. He is currently a Project Manager for Wessex Water and oversees a range of infrastructure schemes from Bristol to Bournemouth.

Having followed an in-company development scheme, Joe achieved Chartership with the IMechE in early 2025, and is now an in-company mentor for new developing engineers seeking registration.

A Supporting Member of the panel; Joe also volunteers with the Professional Review panels, reviewing applications for new IEng and CEng members.

In his spare time, Joe enjoys keeping up with friends and staying active, and is a semi-regular participant of the Bath Half Marathon.

Arun Sooriyacumar - University of Bath Lead Representative

Arun is a 2nd year student, studying Mechanical with Automotive Engineering at the University of Bath. Having joined the YMP in late 2024, he is the Lead Representative for the University of Bath.

Having worked on go-karts at the age of 7, Arun has been mechanically minded since infancy, and is looking forward to encouraging others who share interests in STEM to pursue careers in engineering. In 2024, he completed an internship with McLaren Racing, and is looking to go into a motorsport-oriented career upon completion of his degree. As a result of this, he is also part of Bath's electric IMechE Formula Student team, Team Bath Racing Electric. 

In his spare time, Arun enjoys coding on personal projects with his Raspberry Pi, chairing his university's Petrolhead Society, and sim racing on his rig.

Sayuni Jayakody - University of Bristol Lead Representative

Sayuni is an Affiliate Member of the IMechE and currently serves as the University of Bristol Lead Representative. She is in her third year of studying Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry (Meng) at the University of Bristol, currently completing a placement at Airbus. 

Driven by a passion for leadership, Sayuni has held several key positions including being the Course Representative for the mechanical engineering cohort and the current president of the Mechanical Engineering society at university.  She is deeply committed to inspiring younger students to become leaders in engineering too, and actively promotes this through her roles as an Outreach Student Ambassador and Peer Mentor.

Outside of engineering, Sayuni enjoys running, exploring natural landscapes and singing in the choir.

Tanya Patel - University of Bristol Lead Representative

Tanya is an Affiliate Member of the IMechE and Bristol University Liaison Rep. She is in her third year of her Mechanical Engineering degree, having returned from an Industrial Placement at Rolls-Royce, where she worked as an intern within the Critical Parts Lifing Team and Aerothermal Combustion. She has a keen interest in leadership roles, which include her being the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Rep, Social Secretary and President (not all at the same time) of the university's mechanical engineering society, as well as being a student course rep. Outside of engineering, you can find Tanya climbing, volunteering, or on a long walk.

Edwin Prapaisal - University of Bristol Representative

Edwin is a University of Bristol Rep on the IMechE Young Members Panel, having joined in 2025. He is in his second year, currently pursuing an MEng in Mechanical Engineering. 

With a commitment to student leadership and community engagement, Edwin plays an active role in the university's Mechanical Engineering Society, serving as Treasurer and Outreach Officer. He also supports fellow students as a Peer Mentor and Course Representative, helping to foster an inclusive and supportive academic environment. Outside of his studies, Edwin enjoys playing ultimate frisbee and golf."

David Ogamba - University of Bristol Representative

David is an Affiliate Member of the IMechE and serves as a University of Bristol Representative on the Bath & Bristol Young Members Panel. He is currently studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol, where he is actively engaged in both academic and extracurricular leadership.

Within the university, David serves as Secretary of the Mechanical Engineering Society and as a Mechanical Engineering Course Representative, representing the interests of over 300 students to faculty. He is also a STEM Ambassador with the IMechE, delivering workshops and talks to encourage young people into engineering.

Outside of engineering, David enjoys playing badminton and football, and spending time outdoors.