Dr Thanaphun Jitniyom is a mechanical engineer, engineering educator and researcher with experience in higher education and academic research. Her main interests centre on engineering education, mechanical design, advanced manufacturing and functional surface technologies, particularly nano and micro-structured surfaces with liquid-repellent, antimicrobial, anti-fouling and self-cleaning properties.
She completed her BEng in Automotive Engineering at Thammasat University, Thailand, followed by an MSc in Automotive Engineering at Coventry University, graduating with Merit. She later completed a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at University of Birmingham. Her doctoral research focused on nano and micro-structured surfaces and wetting phenomena for biomedical engineering applications, investigating surface fabrication using chemical, laser and 3D-printing techniques to develop functional surfaces with liquid-repellent, antibacterial, anti-fouling and self-cleaning properties.
Thanaphun has held teaching roles at University of Birmingham, initially as a Postgraduate Research Teaching Assistant and later as a Teaching Fellow. Her academic experience spans engineering education, laboratory teaching, engineering design, assessment, and the supervision and support of undergraduate and postgraduate projects. She has taught across a range of subjects, including Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics and Energy Transfer, Engineering Mathematics, Integrated Design Projects and Mechanical Design. She is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
Her approach to engineering education focuses on inclusive and student-centred learning, with particular interests in digital and technology-enhanced learning, project-based education, sustainability, engineering employability, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). She has developed digital learning resources and interactive teaching activities to support student engagement and understanding of complex engineering concepts.
Her research focuses on the design, fabrication and characterisation of functional surfaces for engineering and biomedical applications. Her work includes micro- and nanoscale 3D printing, laser processing, additive manufacturing and advanced surface characterisation. She has contributed to peer-reviewed research on biofouling-resistant surfaces, droplet behaviour, bio-inspired ZnO nanopillar surfaces and lubricant-infused antibacterial surfaces.