Ned Djilali was brought up in Algeria and studied in the UK obtaining Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Aeronautics from Hertfordshire University and Imperial College. After completing a doctorate in Mechanical Engineering at the University of British Columbia, he joined the Advanced Aerodynamics Department of Bombardier, where he worked on the design of the Regional Jet. In 1991, he was appointed at the University of Victoria, where he currently holds the Canada Research Chair in Advanced Energy Systems Design and Computational Modelling.

At UVic he initially focused his research and teaching on thermofluid science and the development of experimental and computational methods to investigate complex turbulent flows, epitaxial growth of semi-conductor crystals, and membrane separation for desalination and water purification. With the encouragement of David Scott (founding Director of IESVic) and other colleagues his research took new directions in fuel cell science and technology and energy systems analysis, with a current focus on transport phenomena (fluid flow, heat, mass and charge transport) in porous materials, large scale integration of renewable energy in smart grids, and the coupling between energy, water and climate change.

Ned Djilali has served as Director of UVic’s Institute for Integrated Energy Systems and of the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, leading and facilitating the development and implementation of low carbon energy systems. He has trained many graduates who have become leaders in academia and industry. Dr. Djilali has published over 180 journal papers, and earned the Thomson-Reuters Highly Cited Researcher distinction. He holds several patents, and has collaborated with automotive and clean energy technology companies and organizations around the world. He serves on the editorial board of several international journals, and has also supported engineering initiatives and informed energy policy through service on numerous national and international committees. Dr. Djilali is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.