Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Director of the Nanotechnology and Integrated Bioengineering Centre at Ulster University, Jim McLaughlin has been elected into the Royal Academy of Engineering, the UK’s national academy for engineering and technology.
The Fellowship represents the nation’s best engineering researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and industry leaders and provides independent, expert advice to policymakers in the UK and beyond.
The Academy elects Fellows who have made exceptional contributions to their field: pioneering new innovations within academia and business, providing expert advice to government, and fostering a wider comprehension of engineering and technology.
Professor McLaughlin joins a group of just 60 esteemed Fellows, nine International Fellows and five Honorary Fellows who among them count experts from MIT, Oxford and Cambridge Universities, the Chief Executive of National Gas, Jon Butterworth MBE, the Chief Technical Officer, National Cyber Security Centre, Ollie Whitehouse and space scientist, broadcaster and author, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock DBE.
Professor Jim McLaughlin is a leader in the field of digital healthcare technology and in particular vital-signs wearable-sensor-systems, nanotechnology and point-of-care diagnostics including Covid-19 lateral-flow devices. His research enhances sensor operating-performances via modelling, algorithm development and machine learning.
His research on novel healthcare diagnostics and nanoparticle functionalisation led to knowledge advancements, successful sensing/defibrillator electrodes and point-of-care diagnostic device patents which underpinned the establishment of several businesses and the formation of a number of bioengineering centres of excellence. Currently he is leading on the £43M Belfast Region City Deal project – CDHT- The Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology.
He was awarded an OBE in 2012 for his services to research and economic development in Northern Ireland and in 2022 he was further awarded with a CBE for research and education. He has authored over 400 publications, spoken at numerous international conferences and attracted over £100 million in funding from bodies such as EPSRC, NSF, Wellcome Trust, Invest NI and the Royal Society.
Sir John Lazar CBE FREng, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:
“As we approach our 50th anniversary next year it’s a good time to reflect on how much we have achieved. The Academy is built on the foundation of our Fellowship, and that remains as true today as half a century ago. Our story began as a ‘Fellowship of Engineering’ of 130 Fellows including such pioneers as Air Commodore Sir Frank Whittle, Lord Hinton of Bankside and Sir Ove Arup, driven by the support of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.”
“Today’s cohort join a community of around 1,700 of some of the most talented engineers and innovators in the UK and around the globe. Their knowledge and experience make them uniquely well placed to tackle the biggest challenges facing the world, and our determination to advance and promote excellence in engineering remains undimmed.”
Professor Jim McLaughlin said:
“It is a great honour and a true highlight of my career to be elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering and I am among excellent company. This Fellowship provides an opportunity for me to share the incredible research happening at Ulster University’s Nanotechnology and Integrated Bioengineering Centre, one of the most advanced and innovative Nanotechnology/Bioengineering Centres in Europe, with the UK’s foremost engineering talent and to build on our work to inform policy and transform lives.”
Professor McLaughlin will be formally admitted to the Academy at a special ceremony in London on 18 November. In joining the Fellowship, he will lend his unique capabilities to achieving the Academy’s overarching strategic goal to engineer better lives.
This year’s new Fellows continue to reflect the Academy’s ongoing Fellowship Fit for the Future initiative announced in July 2020, to drive more nominations of outstanding engineers from underrepresented groups. This commits the Academy to strive for increased representation from women, disabled and LGBTQ+ engineers, those from minority ethnic backgrounds, non-traditional education pathways and emerging industries, and those who have achieved excellence at an earlier career stage than normal.