Queen’s University Chemical Engineering professor and Queen’s Research Chair in Biochemical and Cell Culture Engineering, Andrew Daugulis, has been named a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering.

Election to the academy is one of the highest professional honours accorded to engineers in Canada. Fellows are nominated by existing members based on a track record of distinguished achievements and career-long service to the engineering profession.

“It’s a big honour,” Dr. Daugulis explains. “There are some renowned people in that group such as Bob Beamish, namesake of Beamish Munro Hall, and Mike Lazaridis, who started Research in Motion. It’s humbling to be included in that company.”

Dr. Daugulis’ research focus is industrial biotechnology – using microorganisms and biological systems in a wide range of commercial applications such as biopharmaceuticals or industrial bioprocesses. His research also touches on the field of environmental engineering, which uses biological systems to degrade toxic compounds.

“The biological revolution is now,” he says. “Biological processes are green – they don’t run at high temperatures and pressure. The carbon footprint is really small and the use of renewable resources is significant, so it’s a great place to be right now – using biological systems to do important industrial applications.”

While the academy will formally induct the new fellows at the Annual General Meeting in Winnipeg on June 27, Dr. Daugulis will have to wait until next year’s meeting to receive his plaque due to a prior commitment.

“Because I found out only in April, I unfortunately will not be able to attend,” Dr. Daugulis says. “Our family has had a long-standing family vacation arranged every year going into the long July weekend. As of the date of the meeting I can use the post-nominal letters but I’ll have to wait until next year’s meeting, which I will certainly attend!”

Founded in 1987, the Canadian Academy of Engineering is an independent, self-governing and non-profit organization established to allow Canada’s most distinguished and experienced engineers the opportunity to provide strategic advice on matters of critical importance. Its membership comprises many of the country’s most accomplished engineers, who are elected by their peers in recognition of their dedication to the application of science and engineering principles.