Alumni elected Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering

St Catharine’s is delighted that two alumni are among the 73 leading figures from the world of engineering and technology who have been elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering at the Academy’s AGM on 19 September:

• David Quarton (1977, Engineering) is Visiting Professor and Senior Teaching Associate at the University of Bristol and an independent engineering consultant on renewable energy, and formerly chaired the International Electrotechnical Commission Working Group which developed the international design standard for offshore wind turbines.
• Professor Michael Fitzpatrick (1988, Natural Sciences) is Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Lloyd’s Register Foundation Chair in Structural Integrity and Systems Performance at Coventry University, as well as Director of Feraru Dynamics Ltd, a spin-out focused on ensuring prevention of vibration-related injury in manufacturing and construction.

Professor Sir Mark Welland (2016), Master of St Catharine’s and a Fellow of the Academy since 2002, commented:

“On behalf of the St Catharine’s community, it is my pleasure to congratulate David and Michael on their well-deserved election to the Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Through their work at the cutting edge of engineering, they have advanced innovations that are helping to make the world safer and more sustainable.”

In joining the Fellowship of nearly 1,700 eminent engineers from both industry and academia, these alumni will lend their unique capabilities to achieving the Academy’s overarching strategic goal to harness the power of engineering to create a sustainable society and an inclusive economy for all.

Professor Fitzpatrick said, “I’m absolutely delighted to be receiving this recognition from the senior engineering community. I hope it shows that I have delivered meaningful impact to engineering industry and supported the next generation of engineers. I’ve been lucky enough to build great relationships with organisations such as Airbus and the US Air Force Research Laboratory, being able to deliver technical solutions for them.”

David added, “I am delighted to have been elected to the Fellowship of the Academy, it is a great honour to be invited to join this prestigious body of leading engineers and technologists from across industry and academia.

“My election recognises my activities in wind turbine engineering, a field which has fascinated me since my school days and has seen astonishing progress and innovation over recent decades. In accepting this honour I thank all those who have guided, advised and worked with me throughout my career to date.

“Wind energy is one of the most important sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. It is vital to the decarbonisation of electricity production and mitigation of climate change. With experience in this field I look forward to playing an active role within the Academy to contribute to its mission to use the power of engineering to build a sustainable society.”