Heriot-Watt engineers appointed to Young Academy of Scotland
Two distinguished researchers from Heriot-Watt University have been appointed to the prestigious RSE Young Academy of Scotland (YAS).
Dr Michael Crichton, a biomedical engineer, and Professor Yoann Altmann, an electrical engineer, both from the University's School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, are among 48 new members announced today by the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
The YAS cohort features some of Scotland's most innovative young professionals spanning the arts, business, industry, government, the public sector, research, academia, and beyond.
Dr Crichton’s research lies at the intersection of engineering and medicine, with a focus on understanding how diseases alter the properties of skin and other soft tissues. Commenting on his appointment, Dr Crichton said: “Joining the membership of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland is a tremendous honour.
“I’m excited to contribute to this vibrant community of professionals dedicated to addressing society's most pressing challenges. I look forward to bringing my expertise in medical technologies to the Academy and collaborating with others to explore how we can support inclusive innovation in this and other areas.”
Professor Altmann, an expert in signal and image processing, specialises in developing cutting-edge computational algorithms to extract vital information from sensor data.
His research has applications in defence, security, and quantum technologies.
Reflecting on his appointment, Dr Altmann said, “It’s a great honour to join the esteemed membership of the RSE Young Academy of Scotland. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues nationwide to pool our collective knowledge and tackle some of the major challenges facing society today.”
The RSE Young Academy of Scotland, established in 2011 by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, serves as a platform for young entrepreneurs, professionals, and academics to address the most pressing issues facing society.
This year's cohort includes researchers with diverse specialisations, from climate sciences to data law. In selecting the new members, the committees placed significant emphasis not only on academic achievements but also on public outreach and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Professor Sir John Ball, President of the RSE, praised the new members, stating, "It is wonderful to see such a talented group of young professionals join Scotland's Young Academy. They represent some of the most innovative emerging leaders in Scotland today, and their insights and collaborative spirit will significantly enhance the RSE’s programmes and interdisciplinary public benefit projects."