Leeds Professor Awarded Prestigious Research Chair by the Royal Academy of Engineering

Professor Anne Neville of the School of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Leeds has been awarded a prestigious 10-year research chair in emerging technologies - the first of its kind to be given by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Prof Neville is Director of the University's Institute of Engineering Thermofluids, Surfaces and Interfaces (iETSI). The research Chair will investigate the feasibility of using bioinspiration as a means to solve engineering problems relating to her core research areas of corrosion, lubrication and fouling.

Prof Neville said she was honoured to receive the award and added: "It is interesting for engineers, as technologists, to look to nature for the inspiration to solve engineering problems. Often the solutions are far removed from the systems we see in nature but we can be inspired by nature."

She plans to spend some of her time as an ambassador for engineering and encouraging bright youngsters to consider engineering as a career: "In the UK the perception of engineering can often be one of dirty overalls and car engines - hopefully this Chair will help to portray it in a slightly different light."