Prof Esther Titilayo Akinlabi is a Full Professor of Mechanical Engineering and currently serving as the Deputy Faculty Pro Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, Faculty of Engineering and Environment, Northumbria University, Newcastle, United Kingdom. In her most recent role (July 2020 - July 2022), she served as the Director of the Pan African University for Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), Ibadan, Nigeria. Prior to joining PAULESI, Prof Akinlabi had a decade of meritorous service (2010 - 2020) at the Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg (UJ), South Africa. During her period of service at UJ, she had the privilege to serve as the HOD of the department of Mechanical Engineering Science and also served as the Vice Dean for Teaching and Learning for the Faculty. Her research fields of interest include Friction Stir Welding, Additive Manufacturing and Magnetron Sputerring for surface engineering. Her leadership, mentorship and research experience are enviable as she guides her team of PG students through the research journey. Prof Akinlabi has won many awards of recognition to her credit. She is an alumnus of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS). She is a member of many professional bodies which include the Engineering Council of South Africa, ASME, USA and many others.