Prof. Alison Lewis | Thermodynamics | Best Researcher Award

Professor at University of Cape Town | South Africa

Professor Alison Lewis, a distinguished Chemical Engineer, currently serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Cape Town (UCT).

Professional Profiles

Google Scholar

Scopus

🎓 Academic Background

Alison Lewis is a Chemical Engineer with a rich academic foundation, having pursued her undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies at the University of Cape Town (UCT). She earned her BSc in Chemical Engineering (1981-1985), MSc in Chemical Engineering (1986-1987), and PhD in Civil Engineering (1990-1993). Throughout her academic journey, she demonstrated leadership as the Education Officer for the UCT Students Representative Council and contributed to student publications as the Editor of Flashover and Upfront.

🧪 Professional Experience and Research

With over two decades of experience, Alison has held significant academic and professional roles. She was the Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering at UCT from 2013 to 2015, focusing on strategic planning and staff development. Since 1999, she has directed the Crystallisation and Precipitation Research Unit, where she has raised R72 million in funding, supervised over 50 postgraduate students, and published numerous impactful works, including the textbook Industrial Crystallization: Fundamentals and Applications. Her expertise extends to process engineering, having worked at South African Nylon Spinners early in her career.

🏆 Honors and Awards

Alison’s exemplary work has earned her numerous accolades. In 2024, she was elected as an International Member of the National Academy of Engineering, USA, and ranked among the top 2% of scientists globally by Stanford University. Her Water Research Commission Legends Award (2021) acknowledged her contributions to the water sector, while her Distinguished Woman Scientist Award (2015) celebrated her leadership in research and innovation. Other notable recognitions include the Africa Water Leadership Award (2016) and multiple National Research Foundation (NRF) B2 Ratings for her impactful research.

🧩 Professional Memberships and Fellowships

Alison is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAF), the World Academy of Science (TWAS), and the Institute of Chemical Engineers (FIChemE). She also holds fellowships with the South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (FSAIMM) and the South African Academy of Engineering (FSAAE), among others.

Publications Top Noted📚

The recovery of yttrium sulfate through antisolvent crystallization using alcohols

Authors: Sussens, J., Chivavava, J., Lewis, A.E.

Journal: Separation and Purification Technology

Year: 2024

Investigation on the Effect of Mesomixing on Crystal Quality during Antisolvent Crystallization of Nd₂(SO₄)₃·8H₂O

Authors: Baloyi, T.O., Chivavava, J., Lewis, A.E.

Journal: Metals

Year: 2023

Novel materials and crystallizer design for freeze concentration

Authors: Lewis, A.E., Chivavava, J., Motsepe, L.A., Netshiomvani, K., Zimu, N.

Journal: Scientific African

Year: 2023

Comprehensive characterization of selected South African brines

Authors: Mehlo, B., Lewis, A., Chivavava, J.

Journal: Water SA

Year: 2023

Crystal Engineering in Antisolvent Crystallization of Rare Earth Elements (REEs)

Authors: Sibanda, J., Chivavava, J., Lewis, A.E.

Journal: Minerals

Year: 2022

⭐Summary

Assoc Prof Dr. Zhihong Liu is an Associate Professor at Taiyuan University of Technology and a postdoctoral researcher at the Shanxi Academy of Advanced Research and Innovation. His expertise lies in resource and energy recovery from waste biomass, hydrogen recovery in electro-fermentation, and nitrogen and phosphorus recovery from waste activated sludge. His innovative research and contributions have been recognized with several awards.

Publications📚

"Weakened Mn–O bond in Mn–Ce catalysts through K doping induced oxygen activation for boosting benzene oxidation at low temperatures"

Authors: Chen, X., Wang, X., Jia, Z., Wang, M., Liang, M.

Journal: Journal of Colloid and Interface Science

Year: 2024

"Insights into the effect of nitrate photolysis on short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge in anaerobic fermentation system: Performance and mechanisms"

Authors: Liu, Z., Cui, Z., Guo, Z., Yue, X., Zhou, A.

Journal: Water Research

Year: 2024

"Sulfate-reducing bacteria decreases fractional pressure of H2 to accelerate short-chain fatty acids production from waste activated sludge fermentation assisted with zero-valent iron activated sulfite pretreatment"

Authors: Hu, H., Liu, S., Li, D., Yue, X., Liu, W.

Journal: Science of the Total Environment

Year: 2024

"Efficient phosphate and hydrogen recovery from sludge fermentation liquid by sacrificial iron anode in electro-fermentation system"

Authors: Qiang, H., Liu, Z., Yin, X., Yue, X., Zhou, A.

Journal: Journal of Environmental Management

Year: 2024

"Selective colonization of multifunctional microbes that facilitates caproate production in microbial electrosynthesis system"

Authors: Wang, Y., Cheng, S., Varrone, C., Wang, A., Liu, W.

Journal: Chemical Engineering Journal

Year: 2024

"Syntrophic Joint of Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria and Hydrogen-Producing Acetogen Stimulated Methane Production from Waste Activated Sludge Digestion"

Authors: Wu, H., Zhou, A., Duan, Y., Liu, W., Yue, X.

Journal: Fermentation

Year: 2024