Dr Geetha Srinivasan

A Queen’s University Belfast scientist has been recognised as one of the leading Asian women in the UK with a nomination in this year's Asian Women of Achievement Awards.

Dr Geetha Srinivasan, from Queen's University Ionic Liquid Laboratories (QUILL) Research Centre, has been shortlisted in the Professions category which recognises sustained excellence.

The national award acknowledges the extraordinary achievements of Asian women in Britain across various disciplines including business, arts, media, sport, entrepreneurship, professions and social and humanitarian work. This award promotes the concept that geographical relocation is not a barrier to success.

Through her research, Dr Srinivasan has contributed significantly to an industrial project with global energy giant PETRONAS in the removal of toxic mercury from natural gas. The project has been commercialised and is running successfully on an industrial scale. She is also developing a novel medical device for combating urinary tract infections.

In 2012, Dr Srinivasan, became the first L’Oreal-UNESCO Outstanding Women in Science recipient from Northern Ireland and is also the recipient of an unprecedented three IChemE awards and Nicklin medal as a key player in a team project.

Co-Founder of the awards, Pinky Lilani OBE, said: “Geetha is an award-winning female chemist and an outstanding research scientist with six patents to her name. Few postdoctoral fellows can claim to have taken a green sustainable process from bench to industrial plant, winning an unprecedented three IChemE awards for mercury abatement for her team, while at the same time developing a novel medical device for combating urinary tract infections.”

Speaking about her nomination, Dr Geetha Srinivasan, said: “I am honoured to have my work recognised by nomination for such a prestigious national award. To have a key area for women like science promoted through awards like these is crucially important. Queen’s is recognised as national leader in gender-equitable employment and continues to attract internationally leading researchers and I am proud to be a part of that.”

The awards will be presented for the successful winners in a ceremony in Park Hilton, London on June 4, 2014.