By David Murphy

KAUST Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering Gyorgy Szekely has been named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC). Professor Szekely was elected for his outstanding contributions to separation science, particularly membranes.

The RSC is the largest organization in Europe dedicated to advancing the chemical sciences and the professional body for chemists in the United Kingdom. Founded in London in the 1660s, it is the world’s oldest chemical society.

The learned society requires candidates for the Fellow distinction to have at least five years of senior responsibility or evidence of an outstanding contribution to the chemical sciences. In addition, they must have a completed application for review by a committee.

The appointment will allow the British-Hungarian researcher to showcase his research and network with scientists worldwide.

“I accept this distinguished recognition with great honor and deep appreciation. Being selected as a Fellow of RSC represents a milestone in my professional journey,” he said of his election.

“I am humbled to join the esteemed community of individuals who have contributed significantly to their respective fields. This recognition of my achievements by such a respected society validates my dedication and efforts but also inspires me to continue striving for excellence in my research and teaching.”

Throughout his career, Szekely and his team have been committed to solving challenges related to membrane fabrication for harsh environments; and advancing the application of these membranes through the development of new membrane materials and process intensification.

Membrane research is a promising field that holds the key to numerous scientific and technological advancements required to address many of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The intricacies of membranes, which are selective barriers, have the potential to revolutionize a wide range of industries. This research potential, in turn, drives his agenda at KAUST.

As a result of his significant contributions to sustainable materials science over the past few years, Szekely has been recognized with several notable awards; these include the Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research’s Class of Influential Researchers Award 2022 from the American Chemical Society and the International Association of Advanced Materials' Sustainability Award 2022.

The European Membrane Society council member recently received the 2023 ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering Lectureship Award. He received the award for demonstrating “thought leadership in sustainable separations via the synergistic combination of outstanding materials science and robust chemical engineering.”

“I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge my mentors, colleagues and students whose unwavering support, contribution, guidance and encouragement have played an instrumental role in my achievements,” Szekely emphasized. “Their wisdom, expertise and insights have shaped my professional growth, and I am grateful for their invaluable contributions to my success.”