UCL Academics Appointed Fellows of Royal Academy of Engineering

The new Fellows were formally admitted to the Academy on Monday 30 September, and they will add their expertise to the Fellowship of nearly 1,600 existing engineers from both industry and academia.

The three UCL academics who have been elected are:

Professor Byron Cook, UCL Computer Science. A world-renowned leader in the field of formal verification for hardware and software systems, he has worked to bring this field from an academic hypothesis to an industrial reality.

Professor Cook said: “I was surprised and very honoured when I learned that I had been elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

“In my career I have focused on turning the art of proving mathematical theorems into an engineering discipline, with applications to biology, telecommunications, computer operating systems, and now cloud security. I’m pleased that progress in my research area is accelerating so swiftly, delivering new means for health, safety and security to our society.”

Professor Jian Kang, UCL Bartlett School of Environment, Energy & Resources. Professor Kang’s innovations in environmental and building acoustics have contributed to making engineering quieter, safer, more comfortable and more sustainable. His research has led to engineering solutions including underground station evacuation PA-systems and urban soundscape design models.

Professor Kang said: “I am extremely honoured to have been elected to this Fellowship, which is highly regarded internationally.

“This is also a recognition for the discipline of environmental and architectural acoustics engineering, a discipline that is closely related to our quality of life.

Professor Jeom Kee Paik, UCL Mechanical Engineering. Professor Kee Paik is Director of the Korea Ship and Offshore Research Institute and has made outstanding contributions to the international maritime community. He is founder and editor-in-chief of the Ships and Offshore Structures journal.

Professor Paik said: “I’m delighted by the award. I’m particularly pleased that such a prestigious body as the Royal Academy of Engineering recognises my achievements and contributions on global research looking at the safety of engineering infrastructure, ensuring that new developments are resistant to extreme conditions.”

The Royal Academy of Engineering Fellows give their time and expertise voluntarily to advance and promote excellence in engineering for the benefit of society. Each year around 50 new fellows are elected by peer review from nominations made by existing Fellows.

Professor Dame Ann Dowling OM DBE FREng FRS, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “Our Fellows are at the heart of all Academy activities and I am delighted to welcome these highly successful, creative and inspiring engineering leaders to the Fellowship. There has never been a more important time for the Academy to advance and promote excellence in engineering so that the engineering profession can continue to contribute to societal wellbeing and economic growth.”

The Royal Academy of Engineering is the UK’s national academy for engineering and technology, and brings together the most talented engineers from academia and business. They provide independent advice to government, provide leadership for the profession and engage the public with engineering, as well as delivering programmes to help engineering researchers realise their full potential.

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