Professor P. Stephan Heyns is a professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Pretoria and director of the Centre for Asset Integrity Management (C-AIM). His research focuses on machine condition and structural health monitoring using vibration techniques. Recent work combines physics-based and data-driven models to develop digital twins of complex systems for improved diagnostic and prognostic analysis. He also has a strong interest in experimental techniques for vibration analysis.
As RAMMS coordinator, Professor Heyns coordinates the joint SAMERDI RAMMS and Epiroc Forum programmes in mechanised mining systems across the Departments of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering and Mining Engineering. He supervises master’s and doctoral research and helps connect work across the programme.
Professor Heyns is a Fellow of the South African Academy of Engineering, an Honorary Fellow of the South African Institution of Mechanical Engineers, a Fellow of the International Society of Engineering Asset Management and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. The National Research Foundation of South Africa recognises him as an internationally acclaimed researcher in his field.