Crossrail International (CI) is delighted to welcome Achila Mazini to our team as Associate Director. Achila joins us from the University of Birmingham’s Centre for Railway Research and Education where she worked as an Industrial Fellow and is in the final phase of her PhD research on moving block signalling systems.
She brings over 12 years of international experience in the rail industry, combining strong technical expertise with a track record in strategic project management and stakeholder engagement. Following her move to the UK in August 2018 from her native Brazil, Achila spent six years at the University, where she contributed to major research and innovation projects and successfully secured funding for several national and international initiatives. Her work has involved close collaboration with industry, academia, and government agencies across Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
Achila commenced her career as an engineering graduate at freight rail company MRS Logistica S.A., in Juiz de Fora, Brazil, where she was involved in the successful implementation of a full Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) system across the country’s Southeast Regional Network. She later joined rail technology specialists Wabtec as a System Integration Analyst, where she supported the development of a modular System Integration Laboratory for testing advanced train control systems, prior to moving to the UK to further her studies.
“We are really excited to welcome Achila to our team,” said Mark Lench, CI’s Development Director. “She brings exceptional academic and technical (railway systems) knowledge as well as 12 years of rail industry experience. This, combined with language proficiency in Portuguese (native), English and Spanish, makes her a valuable addition to our growing management team.”
“Having worked across both industry and research in different countries, I’m really pleased to be joining CI and contributing to projects that have real impact on rail systems around the world. With the rail industry undergoing major transformation globally, it’s a great time to be part of a team driving forward strategic and innovative solutions. I’m really looking forward to getting started and being part of the team”, said Achila.
In her new role, Achila will report to Mark, providing support to CI’s marketing and business development activities, as well as working closely with CI’s relevant subject-matter experts. She will also provide valuable support to our work in Brazil where CI is about to embark on a three-year research programme in association with the University of Birmingham. The programme aims to replicate the UK’s innovation model in international markets, combining academia and the rail industry.
Achila holds a BEng in Electrical Engineering from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora in Brazil. She later completed an Associate Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Queen Mary University of London and is currently finalising her PhD in Railway Systems.
