Professor Miguel Alario Franco honoured as Fellow

Professor Miguel Alario Franco, Fellow of Aberystwyth University

Renowned researcher in solid state chemistry, Professor Miguel Alario Franco, has been honoured as Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

Professor Alario Franco is Professor Emeritus at Universidad Complutense Madrid (UCM), where he was formerly Dean of Chemical Science.

An author of 290 research papers, Professor Alario Franco was formerly President of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Spain and was the founder and first President of the Spanish Royal Society of Solid State Chemistry.

Professor Alario-Franco also worked at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth for two and a half years during the 1970s.

Professor Alario Franco was presented as Fellow on Tuesday 14 July by Professor Jamie Newbold, Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences Director of Research.

Presentation of Professor Miguel Alario Franco as Fellow by Professor Jamie Newbold:

“Dirprwy Ganghellor, Is-Ganghellor, darpar raddedigion, gyfeillion.  Pleser o’r mwyaf yw cyflwyno Professor Miguel Alario-Franco yn gymrawd Prifysgol Aberystwyth.

Pro Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, prospective graduates and supporters. It is an honour and a privilege to present Professor Miguel Alario-Franco as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.

Professor Franco worked at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, for two and a half years from 1972 onwards and it is a delight be able to welcome him back to day. Since leaving Aberystwyth he has been appointed Professor of  Inorganic Solid State Chemistry at Universidad Complutense Madrid (UCM) where he was also the Head of Department and from 1986-1994 the Dean of Chemical Science.

Professor Franco is a member and past President of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Spain. He was founding member and first President of the Solid State Chemistry Group of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry. In addition he is an honorary member of the Academy of Sciences of Colombia, a Corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of Argentina and Honorary member of the Materials Research Society of India.

Professor Franco has authored four patents and 290 research papers that have been cited on over 3000 occasions. He is much in demand as a speaker at scientific meetings and international conferences across the globe, including I note addressing the prestigious Gordon Research Conferences in Solid State Chemistry in 1990 and 21 years later in 2012. He  continues to have an active research career in the Synthesis of Non-Molecular New Materials –including electronic, magnetic, superconducting & fuel cell and Li-battery materials and on the influence of structure, composition and microstructure on the properties of such materials

Dirprwy Ganghellor mae’n bleser gen i gyflwyno Professor Miguel Alario Franco i chi yn Gymrawd. 

Pro Chancellor, it is my absolute pleasure to present Professor Miguel Alario Franco to you as a Fellow of Aberystwyth University.”

Aberystwyth University Honours 2015

Twelve individuals are being honoured by Aberystwyth University during the 2015 graduation ceremonies, which take place at the University’s Arts Centre from Tuesday 14 July until Friday 17 July.

Eight Honorary Fellowships will be presented to individuals who have, or have had a connection with Aberystwyth or Wales, and who have made an outstanding contribution to their chosen field.

Two Honorary Doctorate degrees will be presented to individuals who have been outstandingly successful in their field, or who have a long record of renowned research and publication.

Two Honorary Bachelor degrees will be presented to individuals who are members of Aberystwyth University staff without an entry-level degree in recognition of long-service, contribution and dedication to the Institution; and members of the local community who have made a significant contribution to Aberystwyth and the area.

Also being honoured are:

Honorary Fellowships:

•        Eurwen Richards, former President of the Society of Dairy Technology and first female Cheese Master in the UK.

•        Professor Robin Williams CBE, researcher in semiconductor physics, Fellow of the Royal Society and former Vice-Chancellor of Swansea University.

•        Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change, and the Wales Office and an alumnus of Aberystwyth University.

•        Debbie Moon, BAFTA award-winning creator and writer of the television series WolfBlood, contributor to the Hinterland television series and an alumnus of Aberystwyth University.

•        Dr Francesca Rhydderch, Award-winning novelist, former editor of New Welsh Review and Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Swansea University.

•        Dr Lyn Evans, researcher in high energy physics and leader of the team that designed, built and commissioned the Large Hadron Collider.

•        Iolo Williams, wildlife television presenter of more than 20 series for the BBC and S4C including Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch, and former RSPB Species Officer for Wales.

Honorary Doctorate Degrees:

•        Dylan Iorwerth, award-winning poet and author, radio and television presenter, founder and Directing Editor of Golwg Cyf and an alumnus of Aberystwyth University.

•        Professor Huw Cathan Davies OBE, Fellow of the Royal Meteorological Society, former National Academy of Science Researcher at NASA Institute in Virginia and an alumnus of Aberystwyth University.

Honorary Bachelor Degrees:

•        Bryn Jones, co-ordinator of the Penparcau Community forum and founding member of local arts and healthcare group ‘HAUL’.

•        Rhian Phillips, former Head teacher of Plascrug Primary School and International Schools Learning ambassador for Wales.

AU19715

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