The Chemical Engineer, November 2012, p 67
Nienow awarded honorary degree by Loughborough
ICHEME Fellow Alvin Nienow, best known for his work in fluid mixing and bioprocessing, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the UK’s Loughborough University.
Nienow began his career in 1958, after graduating from University College London with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He then spent four years in industry and teaching at West Ham College of Technology (now East London University) before returning to UCL as a lecturer in 1963. In 1968, he obtained a PhD and in 1980, a higher doctorate, a DSc.
“With no track record, no papers and no research income his appointment at UCL would be unheard of today, but clearly his professors saw potential,” says Chris Rielly, head of Loughbrough’s chemical engineering department, who formally awarded Nienow with his honorary doctorate. “They were right, as almost half a century later, he has held some 80 grants, has published over 400 refereed papers and has been cited more than 5,000 times.”
Nienow stayed with UCL until 1980, when he became chair of chemical engineering at the University of Birmingham, UK. From here he became the university’s director of biochemical engineering in 1989 and an emeritus professor in 2004. He was appointed visiting professor at Loughborough University in 2009.
“He is highly respected as an industry consultant, running many short courses on mixing practice and helping several international chemical companies to solve their problems related to fluid mixing and bioprocessing,” adds Rielly.