Stephen Akinlabi is currently an Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering, Northumbria University and holds a doctorate (D.Eng.) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Prior to his appointment at Northumbria University, he navigated through the ranks at different points of his career in South Africa as a research fellow/lecturer/senior lecturer/ associate professor and he was appointed a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at First Technical University, Nigeria. Stephen was a visiting Associate Professor at the Mechanical Engineering Department, Covenant University, Nigeria and a visiting Associate Professor at the Department of Materials & Metallurgical Engineering, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria.

Stephen is a Professional Mechanical Engineer with over Twelve (+12) years of industrial experience in the oil & gas industry before joining the academics and a registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), the South Africa Institution of Mechanical Engineering (MSAIMechE), the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE). He is a rated National Research Foundation (NRF) researcher in South Africa and has demonstrated excellence in his field of endeavour.

During Stephen’s academic career in South Africa, he was privileged to mentor both undergraduate and postgraduate students and early career/young academics in his research group. Stephen is a recipient of several grants in recognition of his contributions to the body of knowledge. He has supervised Seven (7) PhDs and Eleven (11) Masters to completion and currently supervising Twelves (12) Postgraduates and has co-authored over three hundred (300) peer-reviewed publications. Stephen's research areas primarily focus on Materials and Modern Advanced Manufacturing Systems and to date, he has supervised and worked with both undergraduate and postgraduates in the fields of Laser materials processing, Laser-Based Additive Manufacturing -LMD, functionally graded material; Welding processes - Friction Stir Welding, Laser welding, MIG & TIG Welding, Hybrid welding, Material Characterization and Mechanical Properties of Materials, Surface Engineering and Modifications. In addition, Stephen’s secondary research interest extends to Numerical simulation and modelling of manufacturing systems; Thin film and Modern Surface Engineering; Waste to wealth Management; and Renewable energy studies – wind and solar.

Laser-based material processing and additive manufacturing; Characterizations and Mechanical behaviour of Processed materials; Mechanical and Manufacturing systems; Welding processes: Friction Stir Welding, Laser Welding, MIG and TIG welding; Advanced coating technologies and surface engineering; Numerical Study of Processed Materials; Energy Studies Renewable energy systems (wind & solar energy, Biomass); Waste Management of Municipal waste; Composite development from waste and reinforcement of Fibre; Composites with metallic powders.

I am currently recruiting PhD candidates that may be interested in the areas of my research fields.

In addition, students working in my field of research on bench work or exchange may contact me.

I am also open to collaborating with colleagues working in my area of research and Postdoctoral Fellows to develop innovative research.