Professor Joan Cordiner

School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering

Head of School

Professor of Process Engineering

Joan Cordiner
Profile picture of Joan Cordiner
j.cordiner@sheffield.ac.uk

Full contact details

Professor Joan Cordiner
School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering
D58
Sir Robert Hadfield Building
Mappin Street
91Ö±²¥
S1 3JD
Profile

I joined the department in 2020 as a Professor of engineering and external engagement before taking on the Head of Department role for the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering in 2021. Prior to that, I had a distinguished career at Syngenta which spanned several global and senior management positions. My career has given me a wealth of experience in leadership, Active Ingredient process design, complex process modelling, physical property prediction, Formulation Engineering, Process Safety leadership, Global Business Risk management and building relationships between academia and industry. 

In our group we look to drive continual improvement in both process efficiency and process safety by employing cutting edge modelling technologies to gain an in-depth understanding of the physical processes and properties at play in the real world. 

As Industry evolves, our approach to tackling engineering problems must evolve too. New and innovative solutions are required to counter the multitude of new problems arising as a result of the digital era. Problems being tackled by this group include:

  • Physical property prediction
  • Machine Learning-based predictive maintenance
  • Process resilience models for early-stage design
  • Scale-up robustness and sustainability
  • Automated Hazop
  • Modelling  and mRNA production
  • Scale up of novel processes for energy storage
  • Hydrogen Safety for new and emerging processes

We're passionate about driving real change and strive to stay on the cutting edge by working on the interface between academia and industry.

External to the university, I am a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, IChemE, AIChE, and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. I am a Chartered Engineer and enjoy serving the profession in a range of different committees and panels including the Royal Academy Policy committee, the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC), the Audit and Risk committee, previously the membership and several grant and award committees.

Previously, I have taken on advisory positions including: the Chairman of CAPEC Advisory Group (DTU Denmark), Chairman of FSSG IChemE, Directors of Britest, SIS, WBT and Industry Representative for the UK Distillation and Absorption ECHMA. 

Research interests

My research interests focuses on using modelling :

Manufacturing optmisation and Process Safety:

Design, Process Safety, Operating and maintenance practice optimization

  • Optimizing cleaning in pharmaceuticals and agrochemical processes
  • Troubleshooting, training and guidance on plant from digital tools
  • Optimising technician work and routes in chemical plants
  • Process safety- digital tools and technician integration to reduce accidents

Employability, development and teaching :

Embedding employability into the undergraduate and post graduate curricula

Publications

Journal articles

  • Zhang Y, Yan H, Chong D, Guo C, Huang S, Cordiner J & Wang M (2025) . Fuel, 381, 133656-133656. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Allen L & Cordiner J (2024) . Computers & Chemical Engineering, 108982-108982. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Nourafkan E, Kenyon C, Nair A, Loveday KA, Welbourne EN, Tao M, Ahmed M, Middleton J, Dickman MJ, Brown SF , Maamra M et al (2024) . Biotechnology Journal, 19(11). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hoseyni SM, Mesbah Mostafa MO & Cordiner J (2024) . International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 91, 1025-1044. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Fansuri H, Purwandari U, Putra S, Adhiksana A, Junianto ID, Oktavian R & Cordiner J (2024) . Environmental Quality Management, 34(2). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Allen L, Lu H & Cordiner J (2024) . Computers in Industry, 161, 104111-104111. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hoseyni SM & Cordiner J (2024) . Process Safety and Environmental Protection. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Zhang Y, Yan H, Chong D, Cordiner J & Wang M (2024) , 691-696. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Vesey F, Hoseyni SM & Cordiner J (2023) . Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, 105199-105199. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Shields VR, Robshaw TJ, Porter CP, Amphlett JTM, Hides A, Bruce R, Cordiner J & Ogden MD (2023) . Resources, Conservation & Recycling Advances, 200182-200182. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Allen L, Gill A, Smith A, Hill D, Moghadam PZ & Cordiner J (2023) . Digital Chemical Engineering, 100118-100118. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yeardley AS, Ejeh JO, Allen L, Brown SF & Cordiner J (2022) . Computers & Chemical Engineering, 107958-107958. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Robinson C, Brown S & Cordiner J (2021) Towards Automated HAZOPs. Computer Aided Chemical Engineering, 50. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Allen L, Atkinson J, Jayasundara D, Cordiner J & Moghadam PZ (2021) . Patterns, 2(5), 100266. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chandler E, Cordiner J & Brown S (2020) . Chemical Engineering Science. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Gani R, Jiménez-González C, Ten Kate A, Crafts PA, Jones M, Powell L, Atherton JH & Cordiner JL (2006) A modern approach to solvent selection. Chemical Engineering, 113(3), 30-43. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Sheldon TJ, Adjiman CS & Cordiner JL (2005) . Fluid Phase Equilibria, 231(1), 27-37. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cordiner JL (2003) , 125-140. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Papaeconomou I, Jørgensen SB, Gani R & Cordiner J (2003) , 245-250. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Papaeconomou I, Jorgensen SB, Gani R & Cordiner J (2003) , 990-995. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Giovanoglou A, Barlatier J, Adjiman CS, Pistikopoulos EN & Cordiner JL (2003) . AIChE Journal, 49(12), 3095-3109. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cordiner JL (2003) , 229-246. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cordiner JL (2001) , 27-40. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Glasby LT, Cordiner JL, Cole JC & Moghadam PZ () . Chemistry of Materials. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Amer MO, Hoseyni SM & Cordiner J () . Transactions of the Indian National Academy of Engineering. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jain S, Hoseyni SM & Cordiner J () . Process Safety Progress. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Oktavian R, Goeminne R, Glasby LT, Song P, Huynh R, Qazvini OT, Ghaffari-Nik O, Masoumifard N, Cordiner JL, Hovington P , Van Speybroeck V et al () . Nature Communications, 15(1), 3898. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Isoko K, Cordiner JL, Kis Z & Moghadam PZ () . Digital Discovery. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Glasby LT, Oktavian R, Zhu K, Cordiner JL, Cole JC & Moghadam PZ () . Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Glasby LT, Gubsch K, Bence R, Oktavian R, Isoko K, Moosavi SM, Cordiner JL, Cole JC & Moghadam PZ () . Chemistry of Materials. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yeardley A, Milton R, Moghadam P, Cordiner J & Brown S () Active Subsets as a Tool for Structural Characterisation and Selection of Metal-Organic Frameworks. Chemical Engineering Research and Design. RIS download Bibtex download

Chapters

  • Middleton J & Cordiner J (2024) , Computer Aided Chemical Engineering (pp. 445-450). Elsevier RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hoseyni SM, Han W & Cordiner J (2024) , Computer Aided Chemical Engineering (pp. 2725-2730). Elsevier RIS download Bibtex download
  • Allen L & Cordiner J (2024) , Computer Aided Chemical Engineering (pp. 2719-2724). Elsevier RIS download Bibtex download
  • Allen L, Atkinson J, Cordiner J, Zandi M & Moghadam PZ (2022) , Computer Aided Chemical Engineering (pp. 1747-1752). Elsevier RIS download Bibtex download

Conference proceedings papers

  • Cordiner J (2023) Decision Making For Industrial Decarbonization. AIChE Annual Meeting, Conference Proceedings, Vol. 2023-November RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tao M, Ejeh JO, Milton RA, Cordiner J & Brown SF (2023) (pp 1433-1438) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hoseyni SM & Cordiner J (2023) . Proceeding of the 33rd European Safety and Reliability Conference, 3 September 2023 - 7 September 2023. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jimenez-Franco A, Gregory DA, Roy I & Cordiner J (2023) Drop-on-demand micropatterning of novel amphiphilic peptide I3K on regenerated silk fibroin substrates to guide and promote adhesion and proliferation of neuronal cells. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(13-14) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jimenez-Franco A, Gregory DA, Roy I & Cordiner J (2023) Drop-on-demand micropatterning of novel amphiphilic peptide I3K on regenerated silk fibroin substrates to guide and promote adhesion and proliferation of neuronal cells. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(13-14) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Allen L, Gill A, Smith A, Hill D, Moghadam PZ & Cordiner J (2022) Cost optimization of steel alloying elements with machine learning based Jominy hardness profile prediction. AIChE Annual Meeting, Conference Proceedings, Vol. 2022-November RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ahmed M, Allen L & Cordiner J (2022) INVESTIGATING MACHINE LEARNING TECHNIQUES FOR EFFECTIVE PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE IN INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS. AIChE Annual Meeting, Conference Proceedings, Vol. 2022-November RIS download Bibtex download
  • Vesey F & Cordiner J (2022) Development of a Resilience Model for the Analysis of Process Systems at the Early Design Stage. Institution of Chemical Engineers Symposium Series, Vol. 2022-October(169) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cordiner JL (2004) . Computers & Chemical Engineering, Vol. 29(1) (pp 83-92) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cordiner J, Gani R, Christensen S, Vehling H & Bell G (2003) Generation and use of local models for the prediction of product behaviour and formulation design. Aiche Symposium Series, 11 November 2003. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yeardley A, Ejeh J, Brown S & Cordiner J () Predictive Maintenance in the Digital Era. Computer Aided Chemical Engineering RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yeardley A, Allen L, Ejeh J, Brown S & Cordiner J () Predictive Maintenance in the Digital Era. Computer Aided Chemical Engineering RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cordiner J & Brown S () Towards Automated HAZOPs. Proceedings of the 31st European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering RIS download Bibtex download

Preprints

  • Shields V, Robshaw TJ, Porter CP, Amphlett J, Hides A, Bruce R, Cordiner J & Ogden MD (2022) , SSRN Electronic Journal. RIS download Bibtex download
Grants

Grants as an Industrial Collaborator 

Current:  

  • 20/12/2021  173553  Digitised, small-scale and high-throughput process for distributed RNA production for therapy and pandemic preparedness WELLCOME LEAP INC

  • 20/05/2022 172093 Sustainable microwave manufacturing ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL (EPSRC)

Past: 

  • EP/R008027/1 From Kinetic Theory to Hydrodynamics: re-imagining two fluid models of particle laden flows 
  • EP/N034066/1 A new Multi-Scale Paradigm for Particulate Flow- both with Prof R Ocone 
  • European 6th Framework grants & Danish Grants with CAPEC consortia and Prof R Gani and Prof   
  • EPSRC Grant with Prof CS Adjiman, Prof A Galindo, Prof G Jackson SAFT approach for surfactants  
  • EPSRC Grant with Prof CS Adjiman Solvent selection to improve reaction rates 2002-2005 
  • GR/T17595/01 Demonstration of the commercial potential of advanced molecular thermodynamics software Prof CS Adjiman, Prof C Pantelides, Prof G Jackson Prof A Galindo 
  • GR/L63020/01 Batch Route Innovation Technology Evaluation and Selection Techniques (BRITEST) also DTI Funding 
  • Case Award with Prof CS Adjiman as a new academic  
  • EPSRC Changing the Culture: To report for the EPSRC on the Strategy and Structure of Chemical Engineering Research in the USA July 1999 C Axon, Prof Howell, JL Cordiner et al. 
Professional activities and memberships

Memberships and Honorary Positions 

  • Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 2020 
  • Honorary Professor School of Science and Engineering Heriot Watt University 2019. 
  • Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering 2017.  
  • Fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineers 2002, Member 1994, Chartered Engineer 1994.  
  • Senior Member of American Institute of Chemical Engineers 2004.  
  • Visiting Senior Lecturer UMIST (Now University of Manchester) 1998-2001. 

Major Academic and Advisory Activities 

2019-2020 Royal Academy of Engineering Membership Panel- Chemical and Biological Engineering 

2019-          AIChE Policy Committee. 

2017-          Industrial Advisory Board of Chemical Engineering at Heriot Watt University. 

2015-          Collaborative Research with Prof R Ocone Heriot Watt University in Fluidization Modelling. 

2002-2019 Visiting Lectures, Seminars and Keynote Presentations at Major Conferences. 

2004-2008 Syngenta Liaison and recruitment lead for UVa, NC State, Virginia Tech and Auburn.  

2002-2004 Chairman Advisory Board CAPEC Research Consortium Danish Technical University (DTU). 

2000-2004 Board Member and technical lead for Britest Ltd (academic, industrial consortium). 

2002-2003 External Examiner for PhD thesis defense M Eden DTU (Now Chair of Auburn University). 

2002-2004 UK Industrial Rep on EFCE Distillation, Absorption and Extraction Working Party

2001-2004 Chairman of Fluid Separation Processes Group of IChemE. 

2003-2008 High Shear Mixing Consortia University of Maryland. 

2001-2003 Accreditation Committee of IChemE

1999-2002 Advisory Board Chemical Engineering Bath University. 

1998-2004 and 2016-2018 PSE Consortium Member Imperial College. 

1998-2002 Board Member CAPEC Research Consortium at DTU. 

1997-2004 Co Supervisor of PhD Students at Imperial College and Danish Technical University DTU. 

1992-2003 Non-executive Director/Trustee of two international charities (WBT/SIL in UK). 

1990-1998 Consortia Distillation Design Prof M Malone & Prof M Doherty UMass at Amhurst & UCSB. 

1991-1999 ICI/ Zeneca Industry Liaison and recruitment lead with Heriot Watt & Edinburgh Universities 

External activities

Invited Seminars 

  • Heriot Watt UniversityGlobal Priorities and Chemical Engineering Answers2017 
  • University of Virginia -Use of predictive methods in the early evaluation of Process Options. 2008 
  • Imperial College -Challenges in Formulations. 2003 
  • CAPEC Consortia DTU - Physical Property, phase equilibria prediction for VLLE and SLE and gaps. 2002 
  • Edinburgh University- 1999 

External Reports 

  • Changing the Culture: A report to the EPSRC on the Strategy and Structure of Chemical Engineering Research in the USA July 1999 C Axon, Prof Howell, JL Cordiner et al 
  • CAPE-21 Computer Aided Process Engineering Tools & Techniques for the 21st Century Discussion Paper Properties of Materials and Mixtures Joan Cordiner et al. 

External Courses and Conference Organization/Chairing 

  • 7th World Congress of Chemical Engineering Technical panel & international scientific committee 
  • AICHE National Fall Meetings chairing various sessions.  
  • PSE 2004 International Scientific committee 
  • Distillation and Absorption 2006 Technical panel & international scientific committee  
  • A one-day training course organized by the Fluid Separation Processes Subject Group Distillation Training Course UMIST, Manchester 17 September 2002- Chairman of organizing Committee 
  • Escape 11 Kolding Denmark May 2001- Session Chair and Keynote speaker 
  • FSPG Symposium: Sustainable Process Selection 5th April 2000 University College London – Chairman and organizer 
  • FSPG Symposium on Batch, extractive and reactive distillation Nov 1996, Huddersfield- Chairman and Organizer 
  • Poster competition judging PSE 2004, D&A 2006, Escape 11, Process Systems Engineering 2019 - Puerto Vallarta, and various consortia meetings.