Research interests
Computational fluid dynamics; wave–structure interaction; ship hydrodynamics; physics-informed machine learning; generative AI for ship hull design; marine renewable energy; offshore and coastal infrastructure.
Education
2009–2014Ph.D. in Engineering (Fluid–Structure Interaction)National University of Singapore (NUS). Thesis: Numerical Simulation of Submerged Payload Coupled with Crane Barge in Waves
2004–2009B.Sc. (Honours) in Naval Architecture & Marine EngineeringBangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)
Professional appointments
2022–presentLecturer in Mechanical Engineering; Coordinator, Naval Architecture & Marine EngineeringThe University of British Columbia, Canada- Teach four undergraduate and two postgraduate courses annually in mechanical engineering and naval architecture.
- Lead the NAME specialization: curriculum development, admissions, accreditation support and Industry Advisory Committee liaison.
2022–2024Consultant (project-based)Lloyd’s Register Applied Technology Group, Canada- Marine hydrodynamics and seakeeping analysis.
2021–2023Adjunct FacultyNewcastle University, UK (Singapore campus)- Continued postgraduate supervision, research collaboration and curriculum engagement.
2016–2021Assistant Professor in Marine Technology; Degree Programme Director (2019–2021)Newcastle University, UK (Singapore campus)- Taught six or more undergraduate and postgraduate courses annually in naval architecture, marine hydrodynamics and ship design.
- Led the Naval Architecture degree programme: annual review, enhancement planning, course design, quality assurance, accreditation, student liaison and outreach.
- Co-managed the Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP) with industry partners.
- Supervised undergraduate, postgraduate and international design-competition teams.
2014–2016Research Fellow, Keppel–NUS Corporate LaboratoryDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore- Lead postdoctoral researcher on industry-focused offshore platform and ship interaction problems funded by Singapore’s National Research Foundation (SGD 70M programme).
- Numerical and experimental analysis of novel offshore platform designs, side-by-side operations, semisubmersible concepts and coupled hydrodynamics.
2013–2014Research EngineerNational University of Singapore — Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation project on CFD-based prototype optimisation
2009–2013Research Scholar; Graduate Teaching AssistantNational University of Singapore
2009Lecturer; Project ConsultantDepartment of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, BUET, Bangladesh
Academic leadership
2022–presentCoordinator, NAME Specialization, UBCStrategic development, admissions, curriculum review and accreditation support.
2019–2021Degree Programme Director, Naval Architecture, Newcastle UniversityFull lifecycle management of the degree: curriculum design, annual review, accreditation, industry liaison and strategic planning.
2025Organizing Committee, OMAE 2025, VancouverCoordinated the student volunteer programme.
2020Co-Chair, Focused Group on Shipboard CCUSSingapore Maritime Institute
Teaching
SubjectsNaval architecture & offshore: Ship Design; Naval Architecture; Resistance and Propulsion; Marine Hydrodynamics; Seakeeping and Manoeuvring; Offshore Hydrodynamics; Coastal Engineering; Drilling Engineering.
Computational methods: Fundamentals of CFD; Computer Applications in CFD (ANSYS Fluent); MATLAB; Python.
Engineering fundamentals: Fluid Mechanics; Engineering Design; Engineering Economics; Statistics; Statics and Mechanics of Materials; Manufacturing Processes.
Recognition- Newcastle Teaching Award, Newcastle University (2019).
- Fellow, Higher Education Academy, UK (2019–2022); 40 credits in Academic Practice, UK Professional Standards Framework (2017–2019).
- Instructional Skills Workshop and Teaching Development Program, UBC.
Practice- Project-based and simulation-driven learning, case-based discussion, real-time polling and client–consultant problem framing.
- Deliver a multicampus naval architecture course at UBC, combining in-person and live-streamed instruction.
- Developing a digital, open-access textbook on naval architecture.
Research grants
Total secured: approx. CAD 555,000.
2021–2025Safety Envelope for Ship Recycling Practices in BangladeshCo-PI · Lloyd’s Register Foundation and Royal Academy of Engineering, UK · approx. CAD 500,000
2021–2022Machine Learning Platform for Energy ForecastingCo-PI · Research England, UKRI · approx. CAD 20,000
2020–2021AI-assisted Ship Manoeuvring SimulatorCo-PI · Universiti Teknologi Malaysia · approx. CAD 20,000
2020Hull Cleaning ROV Drag Force OptimisationCo-PI · C-Leanship, Denmark · approx. CAD 15,000
Supervision and mentoring
- Doctoral: 1 Ph.D. co-supervision, completed.
- Research panels: progression and examination panel member for 5 research students, Newcastle University in Singapore.
- Master’s: 5 M.Sc. dissertation students.
- Undergraduate: 43 final-year capstone projects.
- Industry placements: 18 students on eight-month IWSP placements.
- International competitions: faculty advisor to teams in the WorldWide Ferry Safety Association student design competition — First Prize (2019), Third Prize (2020, 2021).
Publications
24 journal articles and 21 conference papers; full list on Google Scholar. Selected:
- Keramati, H., Hannan, M.A., Jaiman, R.K., et al. (2026). A masked parametric diffusion framework for localised generative optimization of ship hulls. OMAE 2026 (accepted).
- Keramati, H., Kirchen, P., Hannan, M.A., & Jaiman, R.K. (2026). A reward-directed diffusion framework for generative design. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 165, 113378.
- Saeed, F., Sayeed, T.M., Hannan, M.A., et al. (2025). Dual-input hybrid wave–current ocean energy system. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 13(8), 1435.
- Tarafder, M.S., Hasanat, A.R., Hasan, S.R., Sayeed, T., & Hannan, M.A. (2025). Scale effects on bare-hull resistance of KCS and JBC. Marine Systems and Ocean Technology (in review).
- Ahmed, Y.A., Hannan, M.A., Oraby, M.Y., & Maimun, A. (2021). COLREGs-compliant fuzzy-based collision avoidance. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 9(8), 790.
- Ramasamy, M., Hannan, M.A., et al. (2021). ANN-based station keeping for a drilling vessel. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 9(6), 596.
- An, L.J., & Hannan, M.A. (2021). Breakwater design for floating vessels. Fluids, 6(6), 212.
- Hannan, M.A., & Bai, W. (2016). Nonlinear dynamics of submerged payload from crane vessel. Ocean Engineering, 128, 132–146.
- Hannan, M.A., & Bai, W. (2015). Submerged payload hydrodynamics near crane barge. Marine Structures, 41, 154–179.
- Bai, W., Hannan, M.A., & Ang, K.K. (2014). Nonlinear wave interaction with submerged structures. Journal of Fluids and Structures, 49, 534–553.
Industry and external engagement
- Consultant, Lloyd’s Register Applied Technology Group, Canada (2022–2024).
- Postdoctoral industry collaboration, Keppel–NUS Corporate Laboratory / National Research Foundation, Singapore (2014–2016).
- Invited participant, Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) workshop on end-of-life offshore wind infrastructure (2024).
- Academic liaison, UBC NAME Industry Advisory Committee (2022–present); coordinator, Industry Advisory Committee, Newcastle University in Singapore (2018–2020).
Registration, memberships and honours
Registration & memberships
- P.Eng., Engineers and Geoscientists BC (2024–)
- Member, ASME (2016–)
- Member, SNAME (2016–)
- Associate Member, RINA (2014–)
- Member, The Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh
- Fellow, Higher Education Academy, UK (2019–2022)
Awards
- Newcastle Teaching Award, Newcastle University (2019)
- Service Recognition Crest, Institution of Engineers Bangladesh, Overseas Chapter (2021)
- Leadership Award, NUS Graduate Students’ Society (2012)
- First Prize, NUS CE Day Geotechnical Foundation Design Competition (2011)
Scholarships
- NUS Research Scholarship (2009–2013)
- BUET Dean’s List Scholarship (2004–2009)
- Bangladesh Education Board Scholarship (2004–2009)
- Junior Secondary Government Scholarship (1998)
Technical skills
- Simulation: ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, OrcaFlex, HydroStar, HARP
- Programming: MATLAB, Python, Fortran
- Design and visualisation: AutoCAD, ParaView, Tecplot, Origin
Professional service
- Conferences: Organising / Scientific Committee member and Session Chair, OMAE 2018, 2019, 2024, 2025, 2026; OTC Asia 2018, 2020.
- Journal reviewer: Ocean Engineering; Marine Structures; Ships and Offshore Structures; Journal of Marine Science and Engineering; International Journal of Sustainable Energy Engineering; IEEE Sensors; Energies; Sustainability.
- UBC committees: Second Year Admission; PWS Scholarship Award; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
- Newcastle University committees: Research & Innovation; Learning & Teaching Management; Health and Safety.
- Executive Committee roles: Joint Branch of RINA and IMarEST, Singapore (2018–2020); Overseas Chapter of The Institution of Engineers Bangladesh (2010–2021); NUS Graduate Students’ Society (2010–2013).
Community
Volunteer with the Association for New Canadians; previously the Singapore Heart Foundation, National Kidney Foundation and National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre, Singapore. Former member of an elementary school council, St. John’s, Newfoundland. Certified occupational first aider since 2016.