Elaine Martin facts for kids

Elaine Barbara Martin is a brilliant scientist who combines her knowledge of chemicals and numbers. She is a chemical engineer and a statistician. Currently, she leads a school at the University of Leeds. She is also a respected member of important groups like the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the Royal Statistical Society, and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Early Life and Education

Elaine Martin grew up in Glasgow, Scotland. She went to the University of Glasgow to study Civil Engineering. She earned her first degree in 1992. She then became very interested in statistics, which is about collecting and understanding data, especially related to the environment. She earned a second degree in statistics. After that, she continued her studies at Glasgow and earned a PhD in statistics.

Her Work and Discoveries

Elaine Martin has had a very interesting career. She used to be a professor at Newcastle University. There, she taught about statistics used in industries. She also directed a special center that focused on making medicines using biological processes.

Improving Processes with Statistics

Dr. Martin worked on something called statistical process control. This helps make sure that products are made correctly every time. She showed that a method called "projection to latent structures" is a good way to analyze many different types of data. She also compared different ways to choose the best statistical models.

She led a big project with a company called GlaxoSmithKline. They looked at how to use tiny living things (like bacteria) to help make medicines. She also helped write a book in 1999 about statistics and how computers can learn, like a brain. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. This group helps decide what science projects get funding in the UK.

Leading and Innovating

In 2015, Dr. Martin became the head of the School of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Leeds. This means she helps lead the teaching and research for chemical engineers. In the same year, she joined the board of trustees for the Royal Academy of Engineering. She helps guide research activities across the UK.

She also helped start two important national centers. These centers aim to make British manufacturing better and more competitive. One is about making things using advanced powders, and the other is about making chemicals in a continuous way. She also leads the group for all the heads of Chemical Engineering departments in the UK. She works with the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) National Formulation Centre. Here, she helps develop sensors and controls for making liquid products.

Dr. Martin is also involved in education outside of universities. She serves on the governing body of the University Technical College Leeds. This college helps young people learn practical skills for jobs. She is also part of the Innovation Strategy Board for the innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Network. She has even been a judge for a science competition for young scientists in the UK Parliament.

Awards and Recognition

Elaine Martin has received many important awards for her work:

• 2012: She became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. This is a very high honor for engineers.
• 2012: She received the Outstanding Achievement in Chemical and Process Engineering award from the Institution of Chemical Engineers.
• 2010: She won the Project of the Year award, also from the Institution of Chemical Engineers.
• 2007: She was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her great contributions to science.