Ben Silva is a first year PhD student at the Supply Chain and Artificial Intelligence lab (SCAIL) supervised by Professor Alexandra Brintrup at the University of Cambridge's Institute for Manufacturing. His research focuses on reconstructing supply chains to advise policy and predict legal infractions, in collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade.

Before starting his PhD, Ben read the Engineering Tripos at Cambridge, specialising in using HPC simulation for nuclear reactors in his final year. During his studies, he spent one year on exchange at the Ecole CentraleSupelec, Paris. He also completed a summer research fellowship at the Raayai Lab, Harvard University, where he used PIV experimental methods combined with computer analysis to model complex fluid flows.

In his spare time, Ben enjoys cycle touring, ballroom dancing and painting.