Professionals in CFD with Joanna Li-Mayer

In this edition of Professionals in CFD, we spotlight Joanna Li-Mayer, business development manager for Cadence’s multiphysics portfolio and cloud computing (formerly, Hexagon D&E). From infrastructure consultancy and life sciences research to computational modeling and business development, Joanna’s career reflects the power of cross-disciplinary experience.

In conversation with Cadence marketing writer Veena Parthan, she shares how engineering expertise can create business impact—and how unexpected opportunities emerge when technology, people, and ecosystems come together.

Finding Engineering Through Curiosity

Veena Parthan: Tell us something about yourself and what drew you to mechanical engineering.

Joanna Li-Mayer: I was born in Leeds, but I spent about 10 years of my childhood in Hong Kong, where I learned Chinese before moving back to the UK. I later went to boarding school in Brighton, and after that, moved to London for my studies

My path into engineering was shaped less by a fixed plan and more by curiosity, encouragement, and the right opportunities at the right time. Teachers recognized my interest in mathematics, design technology, and physics, and the Arkwright Engineering Scholarships Program—a national engineering scholarship in the UK provided by the Smallpeice Trust—helped me see how scientific ideas could be translated into practical solutions.

Mechanical engineering appealed to me because of its breadth: it offered a way to apply my strengths, solve real problems, and contribute meaningfully to society.

A First Connection to CFD and Data Center Cooling

Veena Parthan: It's interesting how your path began with openness rather than certainty. As that interest in engineering developed, when did computational fluid dynamics (CFD) first enter the picture?

Joanna Li-Mayer: My first real exposure to CFD came through two student internship placements—one with a building consultancy in London and another with the same consultancy’s business unit in Hong Kong. That was where I began using a mix of in-house tools and CFD software, including what was then known as 6Sigma and is now Cadence Reality DC Design, to support data center cooling simulations.

Years later, as a Cadence employee, I had the chance to meet the people behind that same software. It was a lovely full-circle moment: something I had once used as a student had become part of a much larger professional ecosystem

Biological Tissues and Learning Across Disciplines

Veena Parthan: From data center cooling to biological tissues — that is quite a leap. How did computational modeling lead you into life sciences research?

Joanna Li-Mayer: My interest in computational methods really deepened during my master’s in mechanical engineering at Imperial College London. For my final research project, I focused on finite element analysis (FEA). Working with a professor who specialized in CFD and tribology, I developed computational models that incorporated microstructure to simulate fluid flow in and around biological tissues and understand how that flow influenced mechanical properties such as joint contact and lubrication.

That work eventually led me to the Arthritis Research UK Centre of Excellence in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering in Cardiff, where I worked alongside engineers, surgeons, physiotherapists, bioscientists, and clinicians. My PhD explored whether finite element models could quantify changes in knee loading after realignment surgery and help explain how improved load balance could benefit patients with arthritis.

It also opened my eyes to computational engineering as a career path—something I had not previously imagined for myself.

From Research to Industry and Back Again

Veena Parthan: What a powerful example of engineering applied with purpose—connecting simulation, biomechanics, and patient outcomes. How did you eventually make the move from academic research into industry?

Joanna Li-Mayer: During my PhD, a conference presentation led to an internship with a life sciences group in a multinational software corporation. I would have loved to continue in that space, but the role required relocating to the United States, while my family was in London. So, I returned to the UK and continued applying my mathematical and modeling expertise in research, including defense-sponsored work on materials innovation.

That work brought together micro-imaging, image processing and reconstruction, nonlinear constitutive modeling, and experimental validation into an end-to-end workflow using HPC, AI/ML, and automation. Building that kind of connected digital solution from scratch shaped the way I think about customer challenges today.

It reinforced for me that reliable computational results are rarely the outcome of one tool or model alone; they depend on many components working together well.

After a career break to grow and care for my family, I reconnected with an opportunity closely aligned with my background in nonlinear finite element modeling. That brought me to Hexagon, now part of Cadence, where I help bring new solver capabilities to market.

Bridging Technical Depth and Business Development

Veena Parthan: That’s a great story of continuity through change. Even as your roles and life chapters have evolved, your core strength in modeling continues to open new doors. Engineering training, however, does not automatically translate into business development. How has yours helped you make that transition?

Joanna Li-Mayer: At Hexagon, now part of Cadence, I initially joined in a business enablement role focused on structures. As the organization evolved, I moved across product engineering and business development, and that helped broaden my perspective beyond software and solver capabilities alone.

I began working more closely on forecasting, business models, and market strategy, and developed a deeper appreciation for how technology translates into meaningful business value.

My engineering background has become my knowledge bank. It helps me understand the technology, ask better questions, and connect customer needs with product direction. I also grew up with some exposure to business thinking through my family, so working across technical and commercial dimensions feels like a natural bridge for me—even though it still requires constant learning.

Leadership as Guidance, Not Control

Veena Parthan: That’s such a powerful perspective, Joanna. It is interesting how you describe engineering as your “knowledge bank”—not just something that shaped your technical expertise, but something that continues to inform your business judgment, customer conversations, and strategic thinking. How would you describe your leadership style?

Joanna Li-Mayer: I would describe myself as a collaborative manager. For me, leadership is not about handing out a fixed list of tasks or controlling every step. It is about setting a clear direction, supporting people along the way, and helping them succeed.

I believe people do their best work when they have room to bring their own ideas while staying aligned with broader goals. I also try to pay close attention to where their strengths and interests lie. When you encourage someone to move beyond their comfort zone, that encouragement needs to come with guidance, clarity, and genuine support.

Beyond Work: Curiosity, Community, and Family

Veena Parthan: Finally, who is Joanna outside of work? What keeps you curious beyond engineering?

Joanna Li-Mayer: Outside of work, I enjoy music, swimming, skiing, golf, and spending time outdoors with my family. I play the piano when I want some quiet time for myself, and I also enjoy volunteering in the communities around my children’s swimming and dance activities.

My curiosity goes beyond engineering. If I had chosen a different career path, I would have explored history, human evolution, and the evolution of Earth—subjects that also connect to questions about the future and how humans may continue to adapt.

At Cadence, the future of simulation is shaped by people who combine technical depth with curiosity, leadership, and a drive to keep learning. Follow the Professionals in CFD series for more conversations with the experts behind that progress.