Future research leaders win two £1m EPSRC awards

Dr Adam Gibson, UCL Medical Physics & Bioengineering, and Dr Tiziana Rossetto, UCL Civil & Environmental Engineering, have each secured Challenging Engineering grants worth more than £900,000 over the next five years. The funds will be spent on their research in medical imaging and earthquake engineering, respectively.

The EPSRC awards around six Challenging Engineering awards annually, and each university is allowed to put forward up to two candidates. Drs Gibson and Rossetto were chosen to represent UCL through a competitive internal selection process, which sought to identify future leaders of engineering research.

The EPSRC competition required candidates to present their project proposals creatively. This included submitting a press release set in the future, looking back on the effects they believe their research will have had. The process offered the opportunity to demonstrate the ability not only to lead far-reaching research, but also to communicate its importance to the wider world.

Professor Bernard Buxton, Dean of UCL Engineering Sciences, said of the awards: "The Challenging Engineering awards are designed to help find the next generation of leaders in engineering in the UK. For both of UCL's applicants to secure awards is a reflection of the very high standards of our engineering departments."

Established in response to recommendations in the 2004 international review of engineering research in the UK, the Challenging Engineering initiative aims to encourage young researchers to develop and lead adventurous, high-risk projects. It seeks to identify and support outstanding researchers and help early-stage researchers to achieve their potential faster through training in creativity and leadership, linking with industry, developing collaborative networks and routes to better exploitation.

To find out more, follow the links at the bottom of this item.

Links:

• Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council
• UCL Medical Physics & Bioengineering
• UCL Civil & Environmental Engineering