Dr Hamed Rajabi is the Director of the Mechanical Intelligence (MI) Research Group at London South Bank University (LSBU). A distinguished researcher with dual doctorates in Engineering and Natural Sciences, Dr Rajabi is at the forefront of harnessing Mechanical Intelligence (MI) to revolutionise engineering design. His interdisciplinary expertise, merging biology and engineering, is demonstrated through more than 80 publications in prestigious journals including PNAS, Science Robotics, and Advanced Science.

With a vision to leverage Mechanical Intelligence (MI) for the development of biomimetic systems with advanced capabilities, Dr Rajabi’s pursuit of innovation continues to make a lasting impact on both research and education in bioinspired design.

Dr Ali Khaheshi is a Postdoctoral Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering Intelligence Community (RAE IC) at London South Bank University. His research bridges biology and engineering through the development of insect-inspired flapping-wing drones, focusing on energy efficiency, mechanical intelligence, and adaptive control.

With a multidisciplinary background—BSc in Mechanical Engineering, MSc in Materials Science, and a PhD in Natural Sciences—he envisions delivering world-leading interdisciplinary research that reshapes our understanding of flight mechanics in both nature and technology.

Dr. Khaheshi has established a strong track record through several patented innovations and high-impact publications in top-ranked journals such as Advanced Science, PNAS, Materials & Design, and Acta Biomaterialia. His work has been featured widely in media, including NDR TV, Phys.org, AZO Materials, Aljazeera.net, New Atlas, and 3D Printing Industry. He received an endorsement as an Exceptional Promise under the Global Talent category by the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2021.

He is Nasif. His doctoral research delves into the world of stag beetles. He studies their impressive mandibles, analysing how variations in shape and structure correlate with mechanical performance during intricate combat behaviours. Combining behavioural observation with biomechanical analysis, he aims to uncover the fundamental principles linking physical traits to functional capabilities in these remarkable insects.

He has a multidisciplinary background with MSc in molecular biology and evolution, BSc in biotechnology and Anthropology, and a multitude of other trainings. He has received multiple internal and external grants. Additionally, he was the winner of the South Bank Ignite business pitch competition, where he showcased 'MandiGrip', a novel surgical tool concept inspired by stag beetle mandible mechanics.

He maintains a broad interest in animal behaviour, evolutionary and marine biology, anthropology, 3D printing, design, and technological progress, alongside anthropology and science communication. Outside the lab, he enjoys rolling dice in Warhammer 40k, grabbing drinks around the world and sharing otter reels.

Sepehr H. Eraghi is a PhD candidate at the MI Lab, London South Bank University (LSBU), where his research focuses on creating novel engineering solutions inspired by insect wing folding patterns. He specializes in translating biological mechanisms into tangible designs, an approach recognized with a gold medal from the International Federation of Inventors' Associations (IFIA) for a bio-inspired robotic joint he developed. An official Inventor ('Inv') member of IFIA, Sepehr brings over nine years of research experience, with publications in prestigious journals such as Acta Biomaterialia, PNAS, and Advanced Science.

Utilizing parametric modeling, Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and biomechanical analysis, he aims to pioneer sustainable technologies. His overarching goal is to bridge nature's optimized designs with engineering practice, developing holistic frameworks to effectively address critical societal and industrial problems.

Zelin Wang is a second-year PhD student at the Mechanical Intelligence (MI) Lab, London South Bank University. His research focuses on bio-inspired multi-functional laparoscopic surgical end-effectors, drawing on the structural principles of insect mandibles to improve tool performance in minimally invasive surgery.

He has a strong background in mechanical and experimental design, using biomimetic concepts to develop and test novel end-effector prototypes. His work involves 3D printing, mechanical testing, and multi-variable optimization, allowing for precise evaluation of how structural variations influence surgical functionality. Through a combination of design iteration and performance analysis, he aims to refine instrument capabilities to better meet clinical demands.

Amir Peikherfeh is pursuing his PhD within the MI Lab at London South Bank University (LSBU), building upon his Master's in Mechanical Engineering from LSBU. His doctoral research explores the field of bio-inspired deployable structures. He specifically analyses the intricate structural principles underlying the highly efficient folding patterns observed in insect wings, known for facilitating complex transformations with remarkable efficiency. He seeks to translate these sophisticated biological mechanisms into novel engineering designs.

The primary application focus for these designs is adaptive robotics. To achieve this, Amir leverages his significant expertise across computational and physical domains, employing software engineering to capture and simulate complex geometries, and rapid prototyping techniques to iteratively test and validate his structural concepts.

Mitch is a Mechanical Engineering (BEng, Msc) student at London South Bank University, with great interest in mechatronics andmanufacturing. Throughout his engineering education journey, he has primarily developed above curriculum attributes in designing for and utilizing FDM,whilst working as a research assistant at MI.

He explores multi-disciplinary concepts in electrical and mechanical engineering, as well as biomimicry,through meaningful impacts to various research projects. By utilizing his background in visual media, he received the School of Engineering award for Student Creativity (2024).

He is Gabriel B. G. Falcão, a soon-to-be BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering graduate and current Research Assistant at the Mechanical Intelligence (M.I.) Lab at London South Bank University. His academic and research journey has been deeply rooted in curiosity, creativity, and a passion for bioinspired design. At the M.I. Lab, he has been involved in the development of deployable mechanisms, pneumatic systems, and FEA modelling, working alongside PhD students and contributing to experimental setups and data analysis. He has consistently applied both theoretical insight and practical skills across multiple projects, combining CAD design, prototyping (FDM/SLA), and programming (Python, MATLAB, C++) to deliver tangible solutions.

Known for being proactive, collaborative, and technically versatile, he thrives in interdisciplinary environments that demand both innovation and rigour. Outside the lab, he channels his creativity through the study and application of the humanities and liberal arts, always seeking to complement his engineering mindset and fuel his drive to contribute meaningfully to science and society, without focusing only on the STEM paradigms. For him, engineering isn’t just a discipline; it’s a way to imagine, build, and improve the world around us.

Eva is a second-year Mechanical Engineering student at London South Bank University and a member of the Mechanical Intelligence (MI) Research Group. Her goal is to develop a multidisciplinary approach to engineering by exploring how biological principles—particularly those found in insects—can inform efficient and adaptive mechanical design.

Through her involvement in the lab, Eva aims to deepen her understanding of system behaviour, material interaction, and intelligent movement, while building a strong foundation of practical and analytical skills. She is especially drawn to experimental work that challenges traditional design methods and encourages learning across disciplines. Beyond engineering, Eva has a broad curiosity that includes painting, yoga, and history—interests that reflect her appreciation for both structure and creativity in the world around her.

Kobe Kang (Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology, Thailand)

Preenjot Singh (Visva Bharati University, India)

Haruka Fukunishi (Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan)

Rikima Kuwada (Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japan)

Chung-Hsin Huang (National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan)

Runzhe (Rocky) Yu (University of Bristol, UK)

MRes :

Joe Hutchinson



Researcher :

Arman Toofani

Amin Zoroufi

Ashkan Aghamoali



MSc :

David Veloz Jr

Nur-A-Alam Bhuiyan

Md Ataullah Rafy

Bilal Hassan



MEng :

Saras Dhiman

Munirul Hoque

Mewael Eyob

Omar El-Zeinab

James Cane

Ali Karakus

Harish Paul

Sultan Mahmud Abdin

Mohammed Mahboob Miah

Jack Carter



BEng :

Ben Beckwith

Haider Hassan

Hrirthik Arasalingam

Mohamed Khalifa

Asma Morchid

Dominik Goluch

Anik Ali

Grace Anthony

Abdul-Rahim Amin

Hiske Buddingh

Rahi Alam

Darragh Doyle

Nasir Mughal

Nathan Sharpe

Jonel Bathan