Speech by Michael Yianneskis,
Chairman of the International Jury,
at the awarding of the Nemitsas Foundation Prize in Engineering,
27 November 2012
Your Excellency Mr. President of the Republic,
Dear guests,
The process of evaluating the candidates for the awarding of the Nemitsas Foundation Prize in Engineering involved a multifaceted effort covering a range of expertise within the field of Engineering.
As Chairman of the Jury, I would like to warmly thank all the other members for their cooperation and excellent contribution:
Professor Kerry Hourigan, Director of the Division of Biological Engineering at Monash University, Australia, and who, in spite of the very long distance, is with us today,
Professor Alain Liné of the Laboratoire d' Ingénierie des Systèmes Biologiques et des Procédés at the University of Toulouse, France,
Professor Epameinondas Mastorakos of the Energy, Fluids and Turbomachinery Division of Cambridge University, UK, and
Professor Paul Spirakis, of the School of Engineering’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Patras University, Greece.
The International Jury studied applications from candidates carrying out exceptional scientific work and who are accomplished in various sectors of Engineering.
I would like to underline that during the course of its work, the Jury determined that there are many scientists of Cypriot origin around the world.
To evaluate the candidates’ applications, the Jury sought out the advice of world renowned scientists in each candidate’s field of expertise. They were asked to evaluate the scientific work and accomplishments of each candidate. Scientific personalities from the wide field of Engineering Science gave their detailed and thorough opinions on the candidates’ achievements based on internationally-accepted scientific criteria.
Following a comprehensive process and based on the evaluations received, the International Jury suggested the awarding of Professor Kyriacos Athanasiou to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Athanasiou is a distinguished professor in the field of biomedical engineering and orthopaedic surgery and a professor on the Child Family seat at UC Davis in recognition of his achievements. Professor Athanasiou’s contribution has been wide, deep, and extremely important. It connects basic research with clinical applications through the creation, development and application of engineering technology.
Professor Athanasiou has been internationally recognised for his work and contribution to the field of bioengineering, which is related to using mechanical science to explore and develop technologies that can be applied to the medical field. Professor’s Athanasiou’s research work has contributed to the development of products and technologies which are now widely used on patients and which contribute both to the saving of lives and to improving the quality of life of many patients around the world. These include:
Inventing a way for medication to the administered to patients through their bones when intravenous administration is not possible , for example when they are in a state of shock; the invention of biodegradable transplants for treating early and small injuries and other damage to particular cartilage; and the creation of a mechanism with which diabetic foot ulcers can be reduced or even anticipated and avoided.
I sincerely congratulate Professor Kyriacos Athanasiou and wish him every future success.
On behalf of the Jury, I warmly thank the Nemitsas Foundation for honouring us by entrusting us with this mission.
Michael Yianneskis Emeritus Professor, University College London, University of London
Emeritus Professor of Fluid Mechanics, King’s College London, University of London
