Chemical engineers Graham Hutchings and Jon-Paul Sherlock have been elected as Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) for their outstanding contributions to the field of engineering. They are both recognized for their significant achievements and innovations in their respective areas of expertise.
Graham Hutchings, a distinguished regius professor of chemistry at Cardiff University in the UK, has made significant contributions to the use of gold catalysts in chemical reactions. He was the first to predict and demonstrate that gold could be a highly effective catalyst for acetylene hydrochlorination, which led to the commercialization of the process in Asia. This breakthrough opened up a whole new field of applied catalysis and his work has paved the way for the use of metal catalysts in various industrial applications.
Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Hutchings said that he is honored and delighted to be elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He also expressed his enthusiasm for addressing important aspects of sustainability in engineering, which will hold great significance for the future.
Jon-Paul Sherlock, an executive director for manufacturing technology strategy at AstraZeneca, has played a vital role in the transformation of medicines manufacturing. His contributions to the adoption of continuous processes and digital technology have revolutionized the sector and led to the development of new products, processes, and practices. Sherlock has been instrumental in fostering a strong engineering community within AstraZeneca and has actively promoted collaborations between industry and academia to drive innovation in the UK.
Sherlock expressed his humility and gratitude for being recognized by his fellow engineers. He emphasized his belief in the transformative power of engineering and his commitment to supporting the Academy’s mission of creating a sustainable society and an inclusive economy.
Marlene Kanga, an Officer of the Order of Australia and an inspiring leader in engineering, has also been elected as an International Fellow of the Academy. Kanga has made significant contributions to the engineering profession, particularly in the areas of safety regulations and international collaboration. She has held prominent leadership roles in various organizations and has been at the forefront of driving diversity, inclusion, and capacity building initiatives in engineering, especially in Africa.
Kanga expressed her deep honor at being elected as an International Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. As an Honorary Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and chair of the IChemE Safety Centre, she looks forward to collaborating with the Academy on advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals and promoting best practices in process safety.
The election of Hutchings, Sherlock, and Kanga to the Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering is a testament to their remarkable contributions to the field of engineering. Their expertise and leadership will undoubtedly contribute to the Academy’s overarching goal of harnessing the power of engineering for a sustainable society and an inclusive economy.
The Fellowship comprises 73 distinguished individuals, carefully elected by existing Fellows, with nearly 1,700 eminent engineers in total. The diverse expertise and perspectives within the Fellowship ensure a balanced and comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities in engineering and technology.
The Royal Academy of Engineering plays a crucial role in promoting excellence in engineering and supporting the development of cutting-edge technologies. The new Fellows, along with their fellow colleagues, will leverage their unique capabilities to further the Academy’s mission and drive innovation in the engineering community.
source: Royal Academy of Engineering
