Rising star in engineering

ACTING Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Science at Curtin University Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) Assoc Prof Vincent Lee Chieng Chen (pic) has been acknowledged as one of the best and brightest engineers aged under 35 by the United Kingdombased Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

IMechE said Lee, 31, together with 19 other international “rising stars” from the UK, Germany and Ireland, are shaping the future of the engineering profession, and the world.

“In our search for the most exciting young engineers, we discovered a rich seam of talent and drive running right through the profession.

“From aerospace to energy, they’re bringing fresh ideas to some of the world’s biggest companies or venturing out on their own.

“Their backgrounds and experiences vary widely but, together, they’re shaping the future of the profession, and the world,” said IMechE on its website.

IMechE combined nominations from readers and recommendations from its Young Members Board to find the brightest and best young engineers aged 35 or under.

In congratulating Lee, Curtin Malaysia pro vice-chancellor, president and chief executive Prof Jim Mienczakowski said he has done the university and the country proud, as the first Malaysian to receive such recognition.

“The international recognition Vincent has been given as a rising star in the field of engineering speaks volumes of the calibre of the academic staff we have at Curtin Malaysia.

“We are proud to have many young, innovative and inspiring academics who are helping bring the university forward in multiple fields, particularly in teaching and learning and research in their respective disciplines,” said Prof Mienczakowski.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering with honours and Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Nottingham in 2009 and 2013 respectively, Lee joined Daikin Research and Development Malaysia Sdn Bhd as a research engineer, before moving on to Curtin Malaysia in 2013.

Lee’s research interests include engineering education, non-linear mechanics, simultaneous microwave-ultrasound irradiation, and sports engineering and technologies.

He is currently looking at how microwave and ultrasound can be used to replace conventional heating techniques in engineering applications and was recently awarded a research grant by the Education Ministry worth RM92,800 for the project.

“These conventional techniques are not always environmentally friendly.

“The end goal is to come up with a cleaner energy source,” said Lee.

He previously won IMechE’s Young Member Award in the “Developing Engineer of the Year” category in 2018.