The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) recently announced the recipients of the newly established IOM3 Henry Royce Institute Technical Professional Awards. These Awards honour the significant impact that technical professionals have on the advancement of materials research.
The Henry Royce Institute (Royce) is proud to celebrate the unique role that Technical Professionals hold in scientific and technology organisations. These individuals fulfil several unique functions, providing specialised knowledge and expertise, operational support, mentorship of staff and students, among many other activities that help ensure the success and advancement of research.
The Royce Awards aim to increase the visibility and recognition of the vital work that Technical Professionals carry out by highlighting their exemplary engineering and scientific achievements. They sit within a broader range of IOM3 Awards, Medals and Prizes that recognise outstanding individuals and teams across all career stages within the materials, minerals and mining sectors.
Dr. Penelope Rathbone CEng FIMMM, Senior Technical Manager, Sellafield Ltd has won the Henry Royce Institute Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Technical Professional and Dr. Peter Petrov, Principal Research Scientist & Royce Technology Platform Lead Imperial College London has won the Henry Royce Institute Award for Innovation by a Technical Professional.
Both Awards require nominees to be non-academics working within UK-based materials research organisations, communities or companies, including national laboratories and universities, and nominations must be made by a colleague or line manager of the nominee.
Henry Royce Institute Award for Innovation by a Technical Professional
The Henry Royce Institute Award for Innovation by a Technical Professional highlights the essential role of technical professionals in advancing technology and enhancing our understanding of materials science. The award recognises the contribution of an established Technical Professional across a number of projects or activities that have resulted in notable innovation in materials science and engineering.
Dr Peter Petrov, winner of the Henry Royce Institute Award for Innovation by a Technical Professional, said:
“I am deeply honoured and thrilled to receive this prestigious award. It is a testament to the power of collaboration, passion, and dedication to advancing materials science and engineering. I feel grateful and may we all continue making meaningful contributions to the field.”
Alongside more than 25 years of experience in developing thin films, multilayer structures and devices, Dr. Petrov has an exceptional track record in facilitating the establishment of high-technology research facilities. He played a vital role in the establishment of the Thin Film Technology Laboratory at the London Centre for Nanotechnology by commissioning all scientific equipment in the space.
Dr. Petrov also contributed to the design and specification of the equipment for Nanofabrication, and Imaging and Characterization Core facilities at the King Abdullah University for Science and Technology as well as the Henry Royce Institute Atoms to Devices Facility at Imperial College London.
Alongside his efforts to establish advanced scientific laboratories, Dr. Petrov continues to support the broader academic and industry community by developing and delivering practical, user-orientated courses for Royce facility users.
Henry Royce Institute Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Technical Professional
The Henry Royce Institute Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Technical Professional recognises the contribution of an established Technical Professional across a number of projects or activities. This Award recognises an individual who has gone beyond the normal expectation of their role, shared best practice across their own and other organisations and supported the training and integration of new staff.
Dr. Penelope Rathbone, winner of the Henry Royce Institute Award for Outstanding Contribution by a Technical Professional, completed an honours degree in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Liverpool followed by a PhD specialising in Auxetic Microporous Materials Research, becoming a Chartered Engineer a few years later. Alongside her varied career, Dr. Rathbone is also a chartership and career mentor, STEM ambassador, member of Women in Nuclear and a fellow of the Institute for Materials.
Dr. Rathbone said:
“It’s a real honour to be awarded the Henry Royce Award for my technical contributions over the years. I couldn’t have done it without the colleagues and collaborators I have been lucky to have worked with, to share ideas with, solve thorny problems with and come up with best practice solutions across such a varied and interesting career. Seeing and helping the next generations along this path is a pleasure and will hopefully play a part in ensuring that the UK and beyond continues to grow in technical expertise and innovative thinking.”
Click here to see the full list of winners on the IOM3 website.
