The UK-SEA Vax Hub won the Biopharma Award, which recognises the best project, process, or product to demonstrate excellence in the application of biochemical and/or pharmaceutical engineering.
The UK-SEA Vax Hub, funded by the UK Department of Health and Social Care and EPSRC, aims to build an integrated, resilient vaccine manufacturing ecosystem across Southeast Asia. The goal is to strengthen regional pandemic preparedness and ensure equitable access to life-saving vaccines through world-leading research, technology transfer, capacity building, coordinated action, and regional leadership. The hub focuses on infectious diseases of regional importance, advancing three key vaccine platforms: mRNA, virus-like particles, and viral vectors.
Professor Tuck Seng Wong, Director of the UK-South East Asia Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub, and Professor of Biomanufacturing at the University of Sheffield, said, “As a chemical engineer, receiving the IChemE Global Award is one of the highest honours in my profession and a powerful acknowledgement of the importance of health equity. I am truly grateful for this recognition, and I hope it inspires more young engineers to contribute to the future of vaccine manufacturing. I also hope it encourages funders and philanthropists to continue supporting the vital research that enables equitable access to life-saving vaccines.”
Dr Brant Walkley’s project: Decarbonising Construction: Research Enabling Japan’s First Cement-Free Concrete used in Buildings (The University of Sheffield, UK and Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Company) was shortlisted as a finalist for the Sustainability Award. This category recognises the project, process or product demonstrating an excellence in sourcing and consuming materials, reducing waste, and/or optimising the product life cycles.
Dr Brant Walkley, Senior Lecturer in the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering at the University of Sheffield said: “The IChemE Global Awards is a snapshot of some of the groundbreaking research which is going on, and it is brilliant to have been shortlisted as a finalist and to be recognised for our research into low-CO2 cement and concrete. It is vital that, as we look to the future, we focus our efforts on sustainable processes.”
Established in 1994, the IChemE Global Awards are widely recognised as the world’s most prestigious chemical engineering awards. They celebrate chemical engineering excellence and cover the breadth of the chemical and process industries.