‘World-leading’ academics awarded prestigious fellowships

Two University of Manchester academics have been awarded prestigious research fellowships given to the next generation of world-leading scientists and engineers.

Dr Michael Preuss, from the School of Materials, and Dr Francoise Tisseur, from the School of Mathematics, are among only 16 leading academics from UK universities to be given leadership fellowships of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The EPSRC is the main UK government agency for funding research and training in engineering and the physical sciences.

The announcement was made by Minister of State for Universities and Science David Willetts at the Farnborough International Airshow today.

Dr Preuss, who is a senior lecturer in Materials Performance, has been awarded the fellowship to encourage his research into improving the efficiency of nuclear reactors and reduce nuclear waste.

He joined The University of Manchester in 1999 and earlier this year was appointed as Deputy Director of the Rolls-Royce Nuclear University Technology Centre.

During his fellowship, his research group will aim to for the first time extensively use synchrotron radiation to characterise irradiation damage.

Dr Preuss said: “I am delighted to have been awarded this prestigious award by the EPSRC.

“The leadership fellowship will allow me to fully focus on irradiation damage in nuclear materials. What is really exiting about this project is that we will for the very first time use a whole range of exiting new analytical tools to study the effect of neutron irradiation in fuel cladding material. 

“I am also planning to use the new irradiation facility that will be built in Cumbria with support from the University of Manchester and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

“Although fundamental aspects of irradiation damage in cladding material are the central aspect of my project I have been able to form an excellent partnership with the nuclear industry. It is this partnership that has enabled me to develop such an ambitious research project.”

Dr Tisseur joined the University as a lecturer in Numerical Analysis. Now a reader in Numerical Analysis, her fellowship will allow her to build up an internationally leading research activity on nonlinear eigenvalue problems within the numerical analysis group in Manchester.

Nonlinear eigenvalue problems arise in a wide variety of science and engineering applications, and present many mathematical challenges.

The project will develop theory and methods that enable the solution of new classes of emerging eigenproblems and more efficient and more accurate solution of existing problems.

Dr Tisseur said: “I am very excited about this award.

“The project will take advanced numerical analysis into demanding applications ranging from mechanical engineering to nanotechnology."

EPSRC fellowships are a direct investment in Britain’s most talented individuals to help them tackle some of the biggest challenges of the UK such as climate change and sustainable energy.

The research areas of the new fellows represent many promising developments in new technologies for industry and business development in areas such as physics, chemistry, computer science and bioengineering.

Mr Willetts said: “Supporting talented scientists and engineers throughout their careers is crucial to driving the UK’s science base and economy forward.

“These prestigious fellowships are an important investment for the future, and will help us develop innovative technologies and solutions for the major challenges ahead, and secure our place as global winners.”

Notes for editors

EPSRC fellowships are designed to help develop future leaders with the STEM skills necessary for the UK to compete on a global stage, generating the knowledge, new ideas and technologies essential to support business, government, and national priorities.

There are two types of fellowships: Career Acceleration Fellowships allow grant holders to dedicate themselves to their research areas and fund their research costs. They also allow fellows to pursue new research directions and build international research collaborations and new business partnerships.

Leadership Fellowships provide support for talented researchers with the most potential to develop into international research leaders with the ability to set and drive new research agendas on global issues.

Seven EPSRC interview panels met last month and decided to fund thirty new Career Acceleration Fellows and sixteen new Leadership Fellows in a wide range of disciplines in areas from quantum mechanics to robot navigation and from coastal flood protection to fuel cells for electric vehicles.

The competition for fellowships is intense. On average, each year four hundred and fifty applications are received for around twenty five career acceleration fellowship awards. Successful fellows have a strong publication record and are to be able to demonstrate independence from their supervisors.

The new awards bring the total of EPSRC fellows to one hundred and thirty three.

Full details on the new EPSRC fellowships can be found at http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/funding/fellows/Pages/default.aspx

For more information: contact the EPSRC Press Office. Tel: 01793 444404 or email: pressoffice@epsrc.ac.uk

To speak to Dr Preuss or Dr Tisseur, please contact Daniel Cochlin, Media Relations Officer, on 0161 275 8387.