For our next Q&A, we’re speaking with Jesus Lizana, a member of the ZERO Institute’s Leadership Team and an Associate Professor in Engineering Science at the University of Oxford.
When and how did you start being involved in the ZERO Institute?
I started as an Associate Professor at the ZERO Institute in January 2024.
What is your background, what did you do before Oxford?
I have an academic background in both architecture and engineering, complemented by professional experience in building services engineering in Spain. Before joining Oxford, I held different academic positions across Europe — in Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Scotland — covering a broad range of responsibilities in teaching, research, and management.
What are your main research areas here, and what are you working at right now?
My research focuses on Zero-Carbon Heating and Cooling for a net-zero building sector. I specialise in novel materials and technologies for thermal energy storage in buildings, high-resolution climate data for power system planning and urban climate adaptation, advanced numerical models for building energy simulation, and ultra-low-cost cooling techniques tailored for the Global South.
In parallel, I lead several initiatives within the ZERO Institute focused on working groups, teaching and education, and university student competition. I am establishing a new working group on The Future of ZERO Buildings to support the decarbonisation of Oxford’s built environment by 2035. I also coordinate the new ZERO Teaching and Internship Programme, designed to equip the next generation of leaders with the skills and knowledge to drive net-zero energy systems. Student engagement has been exceptional. One of our most successful student-led initiatives involves conducting real-world case studies in collaboration with Oxford Colleges. This work was recently recognised with the prestigious CIBSE Award 2025 for Learning and Development. Additionally, I have founded the University of Oxford Student Branch at the ZERO Institute, bringing together a team of undergraduate and graduate students to compete in the ASHRAE European Net Zero Building Design Competition. This year, our challenge is to design a zero-carbon data centre, where we’ll showcase Oxford’s innovation in developing the most cost-effective solution for zero-carbon performance.
What keeps you excited about your work in the ZERO Institute?
The ZERO Institute is a hub for innovative research, with the capacity to support operations, drive research grant development, and foster synergies across diverse research streams. It’s exciting to see how we are building a shared vision — both in the short and long term — and how the Institute’s structure and roles continue to evolve.
What does success look like for the ZERO Institute?
My vision of success for the ZERO Institute is to foster a strong interdisciplinary culture across departments, translate innovation into real-world impact, and promote education to inspire the next generation of leaders in net zero design. Externally, it also means building strategic partnerships, influencing policy, and advancing sustainable, equitable solutions to accelerate the transition to a net zero built environment.
Published on 27 May 2025
