Teng Cao is an Assistant Professor in the Thermofluids Division in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial College London. He obtained his PhD from the Whittle Laboratory, University of Cambridge, in 2015, followed by a Research Associate appointment and subsequently the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Senior Research Fellowship at Girton College in 2016.

His research focuses on the aerothermal mechanics of turbomachinery and energy systems. His work spans several key areas, including high performance centrifugal compressor development, non-ideal fluid effects on turbomachinery performance and loss mechanisms, low-order turbomachinery modelling, fan-intake interactions, and pulsating flow impacts on turbocharger turbine performance.
His recent contributions have been recognised by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) IGTI, with the Supercritical CO₂ Power Cycle Committee Best Paper Award for his work on supercritical CO₂ shockwave behaviour, and the Turbomachinery Committee Best Paper Award for his research on centrifugal compressor tip leakage flow instability.