RGU academic elected Fellow of the RSE
Tuesday 21 March 2023
Professor James Njuguna is the Strategic Lead for Engineering Research and Professor of Composite Materials at RGU. He is also the Lead for Integrated Energy Programme at the National Subsea Centre (NSC).
He is only the third RGU academic to be elected to the Fellowship and follows in the footsteps of Professor Linda Lawton, School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, and Professor Rhona Flin, Aberdeen Business School, of which Professor Njuguna is very thankful of their mentorship.
Professor James Njuguna obtained a Master of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from City, University of London which was followed by his PhD in the same field. His early career research was stimulated by both the Marie Curie Fellowship and the Research Councils’ United Kingdom (RCUK) Fellowship.
His research focuses on materials engineering and specialises in composite materials and he was instrumental in securing and delivering RGU’s biggest strategic research unit, the National Subsea Centre (NSC) in Dyce.
Professor Njuguna is the lead for the NSC’s Integrated Energy project, which focuses on four areas affiliated to smart infrastructures for the energy sector, primarily on hydrogen, wind, solar and bio energy and their integration to traditional energy sources such as oil and gas driven streams.
Professor Njuguna said: “I am delighted to be elected a Fellow of the RSE and this is a tremendous honour. I would like to pay tribute to those who with worked alongside me over the years at both the School of Engineering and NSC and I hope to make a positive contribution to the RSE and its efforts to continue to make a positive impact on the world.”
Professor Steve Olivier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of RGU, said: “This is a richly deserved honour for Professor Njuguna. To be elected a Fellow of the RSE is an enormous accolade and it is testament not just to the quality of research work he has been leading with the Integrated Energy programme at the National Subsea Centre, but to his entire career as well.”
The RSE was established in 1783 and has an 1,800-strong Fellowship whose independent expert knowledge is used to advise policymakers and inspire the next generation of thinkers.
Fellows are elected to the RSE following a rigorous examination of their academic achievements.
Professor Sir John Ball, President of The Royal Society of Edinburgh, said: “It is a great privilege to welcome our new Fellows – they represent outstanding commitment and achievement at the highest level across a diverse range of sectors.
“From scientific advancement that changes lives to leading business innovation recognised across the world, the RSE welcomes the best minds to harness their unique insight and make knowledge useful for the greater good.”
Professor Njuguna is one of 91 new Fellows elected to join the RSE from across the sciences, education, the arts, business and public life.