Chemical Engineering celebrate triple triumph at Imperial's annual awards

Winners of the 2025 Staff Recognition Awards were announced at an awards ceremony on 3 July.

The Department of Chemical Engineering celebrated a hat-trick of President's Awards, alongside various Garden Party nominations.

Jana Pierron, President’s Award for Excellence in Research Support

Jana Pierron has been awarded The Lynne Cox President’s Award for Excellence in Research Support. Jana serves as the Centre Manager at the Sargent Centre for Process Systems Engineering at Imperial. This is a multidisciplinary centre, operating across universities and departments, including the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Since joining in 2021 she has been instrumental in strategic planning, overseeing administrative operations, and managing the Centre's external and internal relations initiatives. Jana's leadership has significantly contributed to the Centre's success. 

While this is an individual award, it truly reflects the incredible team effort and support from the Department of Chemical Engineering and the wider Centre community. Jana Pierron Winner of the Lynne Cox President’s Award for Excellence in Research Support

Jana said: “It is an honour to be nominated and awarded this recognition. The Sargent Centre is a true example of collaborative success, and I feel privileged to work in an environment that continually strives for excellence, innovation and impact. While this is an individual award, it truly reflects the incredible team effort and support from the Department of Chemical Engineering and the wider Centre community.”

The Lynne Cox President’s Award for Excellence in Research Support is one of the annual President’s Awards for Excellence in Research at Imperial. Named in memory of Lynne Cox — who dedicated over 50 years to the university, helped establish research contracts and policy frameworks, and supported countless researchers — this award recognises professional, technical, and operational staff whose innovation, dedication, and impact have significantly advanced research at Imperial. 

Dr Heather Au, President's Award for Outstanding Early Career Researcher

Heather Au is a Royal Society University Research Fellow based in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial.

I feel extremely honoured to receive this award. It’s a privilege to work in an inclusive, diverse environment that supports high-quality research and innovation. Dr Heather Au Winner of the President's Award for Outstanding Early Career Researcher

Her research focuses on developing sustainable multifunctional energy storage materials to enable the energy transition. As a newly independent research fellow, she is committed not only to advancing sustainable energy research, but also to fostering a collaborative, inclusive scientific environment that empowers the next generation of researchers.

On winning the award, Heather said: "I feel extremely honoured to receive this award. It’s a privilege to work in an inclusive, diverse environment that supports high-quality research and innovation. Excellent research is not possible alone: I am very grateful to my colleagues, mentors and the department for their collaboration, encouragement and support."

Professor João Cabral, President's Award for Excellence in Research Supervision

João Cabral is Professor of Soft Matter Engineering and currently holds a RAEng/Procter & Gamble research chair.

His research team investigates the molecular assembly and interactions of soft materials (such a polymers, surfactants, colloids and their mixtures) and engineer their function into both high-tech and low-tech (but large scale) applications, including solar cells, soft robots, and membranes to household detergents. Their goal is to contribute to pressing societal challenges - water, energy, environment - by designing molecular systems across scales.

Sometimes we only need a couple of words, at the right time, to spark a new idea or recover from a disappointment, and I have never forgotten the generosity and humility of my mentors on this journey. Professor João Cabral Winner of the President's Award for Excellence in Research Supervision

On receiving the award Joao said: "I am truly humbled by this award. My research team is a second family to me, and we go together through the highs and disappointments of research, publications, and funding/fellowship applications. The team does great and rigorous science, and I am proud of how diverse we are, at so many levels, including in our research interests and skillset, and how a growth an development mindset can strengthen outputs. I benefitted from excellent mentors and colleagues throughout my academic career. Sometimes we only need a couple of words, at the right time, to spark a new idea or recover from a disappointment, and I have never forgotten the generosity and humility of my mentors on this journey."

The annual President’s Awards for Excellence are awarded to individuals or teams to recognise achievements in four categories: Culture and Community, Education, Research, and Societal Engagement. The President’s Medal is then awarded to an exceptional winner in each category. 

Additionally, the Department of Chemical Engineering celebrated a wealth of individual and team nominations at the Imperial Garden Party, which takes place post the President's Awards ceremony. These were: 

• Team nominations: Jana Pierron, Ieke Hilmy, Angela Lonergan | Navta Hussain and Avery Kitchens. 
  
• Individual nominations: Geetanjali Bathina, Jingyu Feng, Hannah Davy, Mohamed Maher and Martin Trusler.