Dr Adelina Ilie, Reader in Nanoscience in the Department of Physics at the University of Bath and lead researcher and co-inventor of a stick-on patch for non-invasive monitoring of glucose in diabetics, has been selected as a finalist of the Academic category of the 2019 FDM Everywoman in Technology Awards.
The annual national awards programme uncovers and celebrates the most inspirational women working within STEM industries, recognising their contribution to technology and highlighting their role in inspiring and supporting the next generation.
Dr Ilie is one of three finalists for the Academic category of the annual awards programme, selected from a field of hundreds of applicants, chosen by a panel of senior technology leaders against criteria including career achievement, potential societal impact of their research and their commitment to supporting others in the industry.
For the first time, two academics from the University of Bath were named as finalists for the award, with Dr Apala Majumdar from the University’s Department of Mathematical Sciences also being chosen as a finalist in the same category.
The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on Wednesday 6 March in London, attended by industry leaders, government and the media. The awards champion and raise the profile of the individual women that are achieving success in their field, and the companies that are supporting them to do so.
Dr Ilie is an expert in nanotechnology, designing new systems – using graphene and other novel 2D materials – whose functions are tailored at the atomic level. Applications of her research include future IT platforms and a non-invasive monitoring technology that measures glucose levels through the skin without requiring calibration via a painful finger-prick test. This technology could transform the lives of diabetics and pre-diabetics by non-invasively monitoring their blood glucose levels in real time to help manage their condition.
Dr Ilie was one of two initiators of the Bath Centre for Graphene Science, for which she secured a multi-million pound Science and Innovation Award from the UK government, and she is also a member of Bath's Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.
In a scientific field traditionally dominated by men, Dr Ilie has established a diverse research group, with roughly 50 per cent of the students and postdoctoral researchers being women.
She initiated the Career Progression Advisory Group in the Physics department to assist all academic staff, from new appointees to senior academics, to make compelling and successful cases for promotion.
She was nominated by Carole Mundell, Professor of Extragalactic Astronomy and Head of Astrophysics at the University of Bath.
Professor Mundell said: “I’d like to congratulate Adelina on being selected a finalist for these prestigious awards.
“With her impressive portfolio of research spanning fundamental science and real-world applications, she is an outstanding role model for young women and others who aspire to make a difference both within science, technology and beyond.”
Dr Ilie said: "I’m delighted to be a finalist for this award and would like to thank my colleagues for their support. I’m particularly excited about the FDM everywoman in Technology Awards because they recognise women’s contributions across many aspects of the tech industry – arising from both the academic and industrial environments.
“I hope that if girls are aware of these awards, and the huge societal impact research has the potential to deliver, it might inspire them towards a career in science and technology.”
Previous winners from the University include Professor Semali Perera in 2017 and Professor Carole Mundell who was named Woman of the Year at the awards in 2016.