Board appointment for Heriot-Watt scientist

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An award winning scientist from Heriot-Watt University has been appointed to the board of an innovation centre that works with organisations to incorporate next-generation technology.

Professor Steve McLaughlin, Head of School, Engineering and Physical Sciences based in Edinburgh, recently took-up his new post with CENSIS, the Innovation Centre for Sensor and Imaging Systems.

CENSIS is internationally respected and has done tremendous work to boost Scotland's economy.

Professor Steve McLaughlin

 

Using his extensive work in biomedical, energy and communication systems, Professor McLaughlin will help to set CENSIS's overall strategy and provide leadership as it aims to generate economic growth.

 

Launched in Glasgow in 2013, CENSIS brings together commercial innovation and academia. It supports businesses of all sizes to deliver commercial R&D projects around sensor systems and the Internet of Things (IoT). This means working not just with the 170+ companies in the Scottish sensor and imaging systems market to tackle challenges and opportunities but increasingly with companies in different sectors to apply this technology.

Professor McLaughlin says he will use his knowledge and experience to help broaden the mix of expertise already within the organisation.

He added: “CENSIS is internationally respected and has done tremendous work to boost Scotland's economy.

“I expect this trend to continue to grow for the foreseeable future as we, as a society, become ever more reliant on sensor systems, imaging technology and the IoT that we see used in everyday tasks.

“These technologies can be found almost everywhere – from mobile phones to agriculture and subsea pipelines. CENSIS plays a vital role in linking academia and industry in order to stimulate economic growth by helping companies grow to the next level.

“I look forward to contributing to this effort and using my background in academia to identify and overcome many of the challenges.”

CENSIS has also confirmed the appointment of Genoffir Macleod, Vice-President and General Counsel of Thermo Fisher, to its board.

Welcoming the latest board members, Bob Downes, Chair of CENSIS, said: “I am delighted that CENSIS has been able to attract such high-calibre people to join our Board. Their expertise will help us succeed in a world hungry for Internet of things application, driving growth and jobs in Scotland. 

 

“Coming from a multinational and academia, respectively, Genoffir and Steve reflect our varied stakeholder group at CENSIS. Their diverse perspectives and experience in different sectors will be valuable as we plan our future engagement with industry.”

CENSIS is funded by the Scottish Funding Council, with additional support from the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. It is one of eight Innovation Centres funded by the Scottish Funding Council with support from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

The common aim of Scotland's Innovation Centres is to help businesses large and small increase the pace of innovation and, in turn, help the Scottish economy to prosper.