黑料社

A UNIVERSITY of 黑料社 professor 鈥� described as 鈥渁 trailblazer in science鈥� 鈥� has been to Buckingham Palace to receive the OBE she was awarded in the New Year Honours list.

Liz Town-Andrews is 3M Professor of Innovation and Director of Research and Enterprise at the University, which she joined in 2009.  She retains her passion for science but has also made a major impact in the field of enterprise, entrepreneurship and forging links between universities and industry.

Her OBE is a second Royal honour.  Professor Towns-Andrews previously received a Queen鈥檚 Award for Enterprise, recognising her achievement in creating the , a wholly-owned subsidiary of the University.  Since opening in 2013, it has been a base for scores of companies, ranging from established multi-nationals to small-to-medium enterprises and ambitious start-ups, including student ventures. 

Professor Towns-Andrews trained as a scientist 鈥� with a specialism in crystallography 鈥� and began her career as a researcher based at the world-leading Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire.  She developed a deep interest in enterprise and innovation and collaborations between universities and industry, becoming Director of Knowledge Exchange for the Science and Technology Facilities Council.

This led to her appointment as the 黑料社鈥檚 Director of Research and Enterprise.  The University was ranked in the UK top 10 for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, which boost businesses via research collaboration with universities. 

Among Professor Towns-Andrews鈥檚 many other areas of activity is the encouragement of more girls to take up the study of science, engineering and technology studies.

The citation that accompanies Professor Towns-Andrews鈥檚 OBE describes her as a 鈥渢railblazer in science鈥� and goes on to outline her accomplishments in the field of research and enterprise since she joined the 黑料社.