Peruvian innovator is recipient of Materials Today Embracing Challenge award

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Nominations are now open for the 2018 Embracing Challenge Award, here.

Prof. Fernando Torres, the Peruvian mechanical engineer who is a leading expert on polymers, is the recipient of the 2017 Embracing Challenge award.

Dr Torres, who is principal professor in the mechanical engineering section of the Faculty of Sciences and Engineering at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP), has made important contributions to the materials science and engineering of polymers both in Peru and internationally. His research takes advantage of the great biodiversity available in his home country which has led to collaborations with scientists from around the world.

He was nominated for the award by Paul Buckley, Professor Emeritus of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, who wrote:

Most successful Peruvian scientists…have carried out their careers in developed countries, after having embraced difficult circumstances in their home countries. Professor Torres chose to continue embracing such difficulties…by finding new opportunities for the development of novel and high-level research in Peru.

"Prof Torres is a worthy candidate for the Materials Today Embracing Challenge award because he has made distinguished contributions already to the materials science and engineering of polymers, while starting from a very challenging base in Peru"Paul Buckley

Prof. Torres’ interests are at the interface between materials science and the biosciences having undertaken original research on the use of different varieties of native starch for developing bioplastics and bio-nanocomposites, the study of the mechanical properties of biological systems, the development of bioinspired nanomaterials and the production and characterization of biomaterials for biomedical applications.

With limited funds available, this inspiring work has involved building or purchasing second-hand equipment. For instance, to explore the extrusion process applied to natural fiber reinforced polymers, the group had to build their own lab extruder, a compression moulding press and a rotational moulding rig.

After receiving his M.Phil, Dr Torres took a PhD in polymer engineering at the University of Manchester in the UK. However, instead of remaining in resource heavy countries to further his career, he turned down offers and decided to return to his native land to develop a research base in polymer engineering, a new research line in the field of materials science at PUCP.

Materials Today Editor-in-Chief, Gleb Yushin, echoed Professor Buckley's statements. "Fernando's major contributions to developing bioplastics and bio-nanocomposites as well as the development of bioinspired nanomaterials and biomaterials for biomedical applications truly impressed the selection committee. Fernando's dedication to his country, Peru, his great success as a scientist in spite of all the challenges and difficult circumstances he faced in a country troubled by multiple factors was very inspiring. Fernando was instrumental in helping Peru to build a strong polymer science and engineering field almost from scratch."

"Fernando's dedication to his country, Peru, his great success as a scientist in spite of all the challenges and difficult circumstances he faced in a country troubled by multiple factors was very inspiring. Fernando was instrumental in helping Peru to build a strong polymer science and engineering field almost from scratch."Gleb Yushin, Editor-in-Chief, Materials Today

He has written over 70 journal papers, and is a reviewer and evaluator of numerous indexed journals, as well as being a member of the editorial board of the journal Polymers and Polymer Composites. He received the 2007 UNESCO Chair at the University De Valencia and also the Elsevier-Concytec National Prize 2014.

The Embracing Challenge award

The Embracing Challenge award was set up with the aim of addressing one of the key focuses of the Elsevier Materials Science Council – supporting researchers in the field of materials science and engineering who have overcome difficult circumstances to pursue their research career, however early or advanced, and are contributing meaningful insights in their particular field of investigation. They are often working in difficult conditions or in countries with limited access to scientific information and infrastructure. The recipient of the award receives $5,000 and a travel grant to attend the award ceremony during an upcoming Materials Today event in Fall 2017.

Dr Buckley also points out:

Prof Torres is a worthy candidate for the Materials Today Embracing Challenge award because he has made distinguished contributions already to the materials science and engineering of polymers, while starting from a very challenging base in Peru. In my view this is a huge achievement and deserves recognition.