Recognising Emerging Talent: Interspan Engineers Honoured at IStructE Surrey Hub Awards
Interspan congratulates Design Engineers Maya Panicker and Joel Ferreira De Ponte, who were recognised at the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) Surrey Hub Annual Awards for their outstanding final-year projects completed as part of their degree apprenticeships at Kingston University. Pictured (L-R): Matt Bright, Joel Ferreira De Ponte and Maya Paniker.
Celebrating Excellence in Structural Engineering
Together with Matt Bright, Assistant Civil Engineer at WSP, Maya and Joel received certificates from Dr Elisabeth Marlow, Vice President of IStructE, acknowledging the high calibre of their work. The ceremony brought together faculty supervisors, industry colleagues, and alumni to celebrate the value of combining academic excellence with real-world experience.
Award-Winning Research Projects
Drawing on hands-on experience designing post-tensioned slabs at Interspan, both engineers explored punching shear—a critical design consideration in flat slabs:
- Maya Panicker developed a comprehensive database comparing multiple international studies on punching shear performance.
- Joel Ferreira De Ponte analysed the punching shear capacity of steel versus FRP reinforcement systems, providing clear comparative insights.
Both projects were completed with first-class honours and subsequently nominated for the IStructE Student Project Award in recognition of their contribution to the field.
Building Pathways to Professional Recognition
Following their success, both engineers will progress as Graduate Members of IStructE, an important step toward chartership. The IStructE Surrey Hub maintains a chartership pass rate of around 50%—well above the national average—reflecting a strong culture of mentorship and professional development within the region.
“Interspan is committed to nurturing engineering talent and strengthening the connection between research and practice. Achievements like these reflect the future of our industry—where academic curiosity meets engineering excellence.”
Partnership and Continued Development
Interspan maintains a strong relationship with Kingston University, including previous collaboration and published research with Dr Ted Donchev, Joel’s project supervisor. This partnership supports innovation, applied learning, and the next generation of structural engineers.
