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Dr. Cairan Van Rooyen, PhD, MCIBSE, CEng - Building Physics Researcher
General Information
| Full Name | Dr. Cairan A. Van Rooyen |
| Qualifications | PhD, MCIBSE, CEng |
| Current Position | Senior Research Fellow, University College London |
| cairanvanrooyen@gmail.com |
Research Statement
- I am an experienced building physics researcher focused on the critical nexus between the built environment, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), the climate, and human health. My work integrates empirical measurements, advanced modeling, and data-driven analysis to examine how buildings shape indoor environmental conditions and in turn how this impacts occupant comfort, well-being and physical health. I develop integrated frameworks that account for energy use, economic factors, carbon emissions, and health outcomes to inform sustainable design and climate-resilient policies. My research bridges engineering, public health, and environmental science to address complex challenges.
Education
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2019 - 2024 PhD in Building Physics
University College London, UK - London–Loughborough EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Energy Demand
- Doctoral research on ventilation practices and indoor environmental quality in British homes
- Designed and deployed high spatio-temporal resolution IEQ monitoring systems
- Applied multivariable statistical methods and machine learning techniques
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2018 - 2019 Master of Research
University College London, UK -
2008 - 2011 BEng (Hons) Building Services Engineering
Coventry University, UK
Research Experience
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2025 - 2026 Postdoctoral Scholar
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland - Leading the IEQ aspect of RENOMIZE, a large-scale multi-year EU-Horizon funded project
- Conducting empirical research on indoor environmental quality and ventilation
- Studying occupied buildings undergoing prefabricated robotic retrofit
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2024 - 2025 Research Fellow
University College London, Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering - Developed and upgraded NBM-Health, a Python-based bottom-up household level health impact model
- Conducted detailed evidence assessments
- Integrated health evidence into policy evaluation tool
- Quantified health impacts of home energy efficiency interventions in English housing stock
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2018 - 2024 MRes and PhD Student
University College London, Energy Institute - Examined relationship between ventilation practices and indoor environmental quality in British homes
- Designed and deployed high spatio-temporal resolution IEQ monitoring systems
- Administered occupant surveys
- Applied multivariable statistical methods and machine learning techniques
Professional Experience
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2017 - 2024 Founding Director
Five Ten Ltd, UK - Founded a national research and engineering consultancy
- Regular use of Python for investigating large complex multifactorial datasets
- Experience with Cloud computing platforms, Linux (Ubuntu), BASH, and Windows Servers
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2013 - 2017 Senior Associate
Bailey Partnership, UK - Mechanical building services engineer, building physicist and team leader
- Responsible for building physics and building services engineering design
- Business development, project management, and mentoring
- Led large teams of engineers across three regional offices
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2012 - 2013 Co-founding Director
EPS Consultants Ltd, Shrewsbury, UK - Co-founded and led a successful building services engineering consultancy
- Oversaw business operations including development, recruitment, and financial management
- Managed multidisciplinary teams on large complex engineering projects
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2004 - 2011 Building Physicist and Building Services Engineer
- Detailed building physics calculations and building services systems design
- Education, healthcare, commercial, and residential buildings
- Principal engineer and project lead on large complex projects valued up to £35m
- Led multidisciplinary teams of construction professionals
Teaching and Mentorship
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2021 - 2022 Post Graduate Teaching Assistant
University College London - Smart Distributed Energy Systems (BENV0144) module
- MSc Smart Energy and the Built Environment
- Prepared lecture material, delivered lectures, assisted with tutorials
- Marked dissertations and provided student support
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2016 Guest Lecturer
Plymouth University - MSc Sustainable Building Design module
- Delivered interactive lecture on relationship between theoretical building physics, passive design and architectural form
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2012 Guest Lecturer
Coventry University - BEng (Hons) Building Services Engineering
- Led practical session and tutorial on IES VE for dynamic thermal simulation
- Energy and carbon emissions modeling
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2006 - 2017 Professional Mentorship
- Mentored and supported numerous undergraduate, graduate and senior engineers
- Supported Chartership applications (CEng, MCIBSE)
Technical Skills
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Environmental Monitoring
- High spatio-temporal resolution measurements of indoor environmental quality
- Temperature, humidity, sound, light, PM, CO₂, CO, NOₓ, VOCs, formaldehyde
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Programming & Data Analysis
- Python, Linux, InfluxDB, Grafana, BASH, AWS (EC2)
- Multivariable statistical modeling and machine learning
- statsmodels, scipy, scikit-learn
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Building Physics
- Dynamic thermal modeling (IES and EnergyPlus)
- Daylight modeling (IES and radiance)
- Contaminant, airflow and ventilation modeling (IES and CONTAM)
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Other Software
- Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, Revit
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Statistical Methods
- Multi-variable timeseries analysis
- Machine learning and predictive modeling
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Questionnaire Design
- Development, deployment, and statistical analysis of occupant surveys
Professional Qualifications and Awards
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Professional Memberships
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (MCIBSE)
- Chartered Engineer, Engineering Council UK (CEng)
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Awards
- Baxi Commercial Special Achievement Award (2011)
- Building Services Incorporated Engineer of the Year, West Midlands (2007)
- Building Services Special Achievement Award (2007)
- Building Services Technician Engineer of the Year, West Midlands (2006)