Dr Michael Short

Michael is the visionary behind BiofuelAi, driving its mission to harness computational science in tackling the challenges of emissions reduction and the global energy transition. While his career is marked by significant achievements, it is Michael’s passion, approachable nature, and quiet determination that truly distinguish him as a pioneering innovator.

Academic and Research Roles: Dr. Michael Short is an Associate Professor at the University of Surrey, a Sustainability Fellow, and an Associate Member of the Surrey Institute for People-Centred AI. His research focuses on mathematical optimization, process design, renewable energy, and decision-support software.

Key Research Projects: He is the Principal Investigator for a £1.7M EPSRC project on AI-driven biogas optimization and a Co-Investigator in the £5M Supergen Bioenergy Impact Hub. He has led projects on energy planning, decarbonization, and process optimization, including collaborations with universities and government agencies.

Industry and Government Collaborations: Dr. Short has worked with industries and organizations like Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Dow Chemicals, NHS, and local councils, securing funding from EPSRC, Innovate UK, British Council, and international agencies for applied research in sustainability and energy systems.

Past Research and Academic Contributions: He earned his B.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Cape Town, worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University, and contributed to developing the KIPET software for Eli Lilly. He has published extensively in top journals and conferences.

Editorial and Professional Roles: He serves as an Editorial Board Member for journals like the Journal of Water Process Engineering and Journal of Process Integration and Optimization for Sustainability, and contributes to the European Federation of Chemical Engineers’ Sustainability Section.