IChemE Fellow Andrew Livingston awarded Honorary Professor title

ICHEME Fellow Andrew Livingston has been awarded an Honorary Professor title for his contribution to the development of academic staff and support for current research projects at the University of Chemical Technology and Metallurgy (UCTM), Sofia, Bulgaria.  

UTCM’s 60th Department of Chemical Engineering conference also saw Livingston recognised for the instrumental role he played in the initiation of the membrane topic at the university. 

He is the founder of Membrane Extraction Technology (MET), a spin-out company which evolved to manufacture solvent stable Organic Solvent Nanofiltration (OSN) membranes for molecular separations in organic liquids. MET was later acquired by Evonik Industries of Essen, Germany, and continues in business as Evonik MET. 

His distinguished career has also seen Livingston pioneer applications from refining crude oil to the purification of high value pharmaceuticals, setting new industry standards for their manufacture and development. 

Originally from New Zealand, Livingston spent nearly two decades at Imperial College London, before joining Queen Mary University of London in 2019 where he is a professor and vice-principal for Research and Innovation.  

He has been the recipient of several awards and prizes including the Junior Moulton Medal, Underwood Medal of IChemE for contributions to separations research, Cremer and Warner Medal, and Silver Medal of Royal Academy of Engineering.  

Speaking at the ceremony, Livingston said: “I am honoured to be recognised as an Honorary Professor at UCTM, particularly during such a momentous year when the university celebrates its the 60th anniversary of the Department of Chemical Engineering at UCTM as well as UCTM’s 70-year jubilee.” He added: “This achievement is only possible because of my collaboration with so many inspirational and innovative colleagues in academia.”