Professor Wayne Luk, here in the Department of Computing has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The Royal Academy of Engineering has announced 59 new Fellows, celebrating the diversity of 21st Century engineering in the UK.

Professor  Wayne Luk  from the Department of Computing was one of five of this year’s cohort of Imperial researchers elected as new Fellows of the Academy.

Professor Jeff Magee, Principal of the Faculty of Engineering, says: “Engineering is a major driver of innovation and industry in the UK and it is right that we celebrate the valuable contributions that our engineers make to society. From establishing successful enterprises to combating toxic pollution, this year’s cohort of Fellows are fine examples of what engineering can do to improve the world in which we live. On behalf of Imperial, I congratulate our new Fellows for their outstanding efforts."

Improving computing

Professor Wayne Luk was recognised by the Academy for his eminence in the field of “reconfigurable computing”, which provides an effective way to reprogram chips containing arrays of computing elements and the connections between them. Reconfigurable computing technology can make computers faster, smaller, more energy efficient and powerful. It is useful in many key applications including internet message routing, DNA sequencing and medical imaging. Professor Luk’s work in the field has led to a host of international awards and has influenced the development of technologies and products from a range of companies including Maxeler and Xilinx.

Professor Luk says: “Receiving this Fellowship is tremendously encouraging – a fabulous recognition of what our research group has achieved so far and a reminder that much more remains to be discovered and invented. I plan to celebrate this honour by thanking my research team for being so innovative and productive and for making it such a nice environment to work in.”