Professor David Cumming, head of the University of Glasgow’s School of Engineering, has been named as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Professor Cumming is one of 50 new Fellows to be formally admitted to the Academy at its AGM in London today (Tuesday 5 September), in addition to two new International Fellows and one Honorary Fellow. Together they will add their expertise to the Fellowship of 1,500 world-leading engineers from both industry and academia.

The ranks of Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) Fellows include some of the world’s leading innovators and business people. Election to the Academy is by invitation only; around 50 Fellows are elected each year by peer review from nominations made by existing Fellows.

Professor Cummings’ Fellowship recognises his pioneering work in microelectronic technologies for biotechnology and diagnostic purposes, which has had major industrial impact.

The outputs from his research led to the creation of the spinout company Mode Diagnostics Ltd, which brought an electronic bowel cancer screening technology to market. Professor Cumming’s work also made possible the foundation of US start-up Ion Torrent, Inc., creators of the world’s first microelectronics-based gene sequencing system. He combines true research excellence with his university leadership role as Head of the School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow.

Professor Cumming said: “I’m very proud to be a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, an honour I now share with some of the world’s most distinguished and innovative engineers.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute to the field of engineering, as a researcher, the head of the University of Glasgow’s School of Engineering, and as a RAEng Fellow.     

Professor Dame Ann Dowling, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “Since 130 engineers were first called together in 1976 to form the Fellowship of Engineering, our Fellows have come together to advance and promote excellence in engineering.  

“I’m so proud to welcome our new Fellows, who represent the very best of UK engineering. From technology giants to our universities’ finest minds, our new Fellows demonstrate how engineering is tackling some of the biggest challenges facing the world. I look forward to working with them as we continue to make the UK a leading nation for engineering innovation and businesses.”

First published: 5 September 2017