Prof. Ping Xiao at University of Manchester currently hold Rolls-Royce/Royal Academy of Engineering Research in Advanced Coating Technology. He has carried out studies of coating materials for over 2 decades with focus on coating development for high temperature application in particular thermal barrier coatings and environmental barrier coatings for aero-engine applications. His research has generated 340+ research papers in peer-reviewed journals and is among the top 2% list of the most cited researchers since 2020. Ping Xiao’s research was submitted as an Engineering impact case to Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 and was among the 20 impact cases selected by University of Manchester.  In recognition of his excellence and outstanding contribution in Surface Engineering he was awarded the IOM3 Tom Bell Surface Engineering Medal in 2024. He has been chair of IOM3 Surface Technology Group UK since May 2020 and has been chair of first and second international conferences on surface science, engineering and technology (SSET) at University of Manchester in 2024 and 2026 (https://www.iom3.org/events-awards/sset-2026.html).