Promotions to Professor
Dr Chu Lun Alex Leung has been promoted to Professor of Advanced Manufacturing. Alex’s research uses advanced X-ray imaging to understand and improve additive manufacturing and laser processing of metals, with applications in a range of areas including aerospace, energy and advanced manufacturing. Alex has authored numerous well cited peer-reviewed publications, including Science, Advanced Materials, Advanced Science, Nature Communications, and International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing. Alex holds an Industrial Fellowship from RAEng, has established an international profile in Materials/Manufacturing and has developed connections across industry which has led to substantial grants. Alex currently co-runs the Department’s interests at Harwell Campus.
Dr Yuanchang Liu has been promoted to Professor of Autonomy and Automation. Yuanchang is a leader in autonomous systems, has developed autonomous navigation and perception systems for marine unmanned vehicles and worked in other areas of autonomy/automation. He is Chair of the department’s Marine Automation and Robotics (MARS), has been awarded the Denny Medal from the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) for his work, and has developed international leadership working with industry and academia across Asia, Europe and America. Yuanchang has a strong well-cited publication record, is an editor for Journal of Marine Engineering and Technology and has led national research initiatives including supporting maritime organisations such as MARRI-UK.
Promotions to Associate Professor
Dr Giorgia Bosi has been promoted to Associate Professor. Giorgia applies computational simulation and biomechanics to cardiovascular medicine, developing engineering tools to improve the planning of heart valve and cardiac interventions. Giorgia now holds the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellowship for her project titled “Engineered Patients Stratification and Therapeutic planning: Application to Atrial Fibrillation”. Having a strong publication record Giorgia has secured substantial grant income and has contributed to our education activities in the department particularly on the MSc BSE programme and has been a leading figure in EDI activities both in the faculty and the department.
Dr Liwei Guo has been promoted to Associate Professor (Teaching). Liwei is a central member of the UCL Manufacturing Futures Lab at UCL East, Deputy course director for our Future Manufacturing and Nanoscale Engineering MSc and Deputy Departmental Tutor for Postgraduate taught students. Alongside his teaching, his research interests span nanoscale engineering and biocomplexity, with applications in healthcare engineering. Liwei has been a key figure in driving new educational activity in the department particularly establishing UCL-East activities and supporting the department’s Education Leadership Team in both cirriculum and student experience improvements.
The department extends its warmest congratulations to all four colleagues.
Congratulating the academics Head of Department and Kennedy Chair of Mechanical Engineering Professor Richard Bucknall said: “I am delighted to see further success for the Department in this year’s senior promotions round. As we continue to strive for excellence in both education and research, it is especially rewarding to see four of our colleagues recognised for their outstanding contributions and leadership, which have played an important role in the Department’s success. The Senior Promotions process is highly demanding, with promotion requiring excellence across research, education, engagement and citizenship. I am therefore particularly pleased that the achievements of Alex, Yuanchang, Giorgia and Liwei have been recognised by UCL’s Promotions Committee. Congratulations to all four of you on this well-deserved success.”
Links
• UCL 2025–26 Promotions - full successful list
• Professor Chu Lun Alex Leung - UCL profile
• Professor Yuanchang Liu - UCL profile
