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Professor Claire Adjiman, Department of Chemical Engineering, has been awarded the 2026 Sharma Medal by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), in recognition of sustained outstanding contributions to the field of chemical engineering.

The Sharma Medal celebrates excellence in chemical engineering research and is named after Man Mohan Sharma, an eminent scholar and former director of the (IICT).

This award reflects our collective effort to drive the field forward and transform chemical process and product design. Claire Adjiman Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering & Director, Sargent Centre for Process Systems Engineering

On being recognised, Professor Claire Adjiman said: "It is a great honour to receive the Sharma Medal. I am fortunate to have had excellent collaborations with many outstanding researchers, whether ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½, fellow academics or industry researchers. This award reflects our collective effort to drive the field forward and transform chemical process and product design". 

Professor Adjiman has led pioneering advances in molecular systems engineering, developing multiscale design methods, property-prediction models and global optimisation algorithms that transform the design of sustainable products and processes.

Her work integrates molecule-to-process design through approaches such as QM-CAMD and CAMPD, enabling the development of greener solvents, improved crystallisation processes and cleaner energy systems. These innovations have supported major industrial collaborations and contribute to progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

I have had the privilege of working with Professor Adjiman for a long time and seeing first-hand how her ideas and leadership have shaped the field of molecular systems engineering. Professor Omar Matar Head of Department, Chemical Engineering

Professor Omar Matar, Head of Department, Imperial Chemical Engineering, said: “I have had the privilege of working with Professor Adjiman for a long time and seeing first-hand how her ideas and leadership have shaped the field of molecular systems engineering. Her research combines fundamental insight with powerful computational tools that are now used across academia and industry to design more sustainable products and processes. This honour reflects not only her scientific excellence but also the generosity with which she has supported colleagues and mentored the next generation of chemical engineers.”

In addition to her research achievements, Professor Adjiman is internationally recognised for leadership and service to the field. She is Director of the Sargent Centre for Process Systems Engineering and has played a major role in shaping the discipline through fellowships, awards and widely used research software.

Mark Simmons, chair of the IChemE medals and prize committee, said: “In an ever-changing world, chemical engineers are constantly breaking through barriers in the pursuit of innovation and positive impact, and this was evident in the impressive breadth and scope of the nominations, particularly as we seek to engineer a more sustainable world. We should be rightly proud of the world-leading examples of research, teaching and thought leadership, as well as outstanding volunteer service, evident in the nominations received.”

The IChemE Medals and Prizes Committee unanimously agreed to award the 2026 Sharma Medal, recognising Professor Adjiman’s sustained impact on chemical engineering research and its application to global sustainability challenges.

Full list of recipients: .