Professor Sondipon Adhikari (pictured), Chair of Aerospace Engineering in the School of Engineering, has been awarded one of this year's Philip Leverhulme Prizes, which carry a value of £70,000 over two years.

Around 25 Philip Leverhulme Prizes are awarded each year, to commemorate the contribution to the work of the Trust made by Philip Leverhulme, the Third Viscount Leverhulme and grandson of the Trust's founder.

The Prizes are among the most prestigious academic awards for researchers under the age of 36, who have made a substantial and recognised contribution to their particular field of study; who are recognised at an international level; and whose future contributions are held to be of high promise.

Professor Adhikari, aged 34, is currently an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) advanced research fellow.

He has published more than 100 papers and reports on his research interests, which include structural dynamics, computational probabilistic mechanics, stochastic nanomechanics, random matrices, uncertainty quantification and model validation of complex dynamical systems, experimental modal analysis, structural reliability and risk analysis, uncertainty in wind energy production, structural damping and earthquake engineering.

Professor Adhikari's current work is focused on making computer code outputs more credible by managing uncertainty with the predictions.

He has made significant contributions in the general multidisciplinary area of probabilistic engineering mechanics. And his work on uncertainty prediction in wind energy production would have significant practical impact on renewable energy and sustainable development.

Professor Adhikari is an international authority on the uncertainty quantification in the prediction of numerical models of complex engineering dynamical systems.

He has also made major contributions in system identification methods, vibration of pile-supported structures in liquefiable soil during strong earthquakes, material damping modelling, and sensitivity analysis of dynamical systems.

Speaking about his delight at being chosen to receive the award, Professor Adhikari said: "I am honoured to have been awarded one of this year's Philip Leverhulme Prizes, which are highly sought-after.

"This award will allow me to develop probabilistic analysis algorithms for complex engineering systems. The freedom associated with this award means that I will be able to do more fundamental works, which may not be always possible with other research grants."  

Congratulating Professor Adhikari on his achievement, Professor Javier Bonet, Head of the School of Engineering at Swansea University, said: "We are all absolutely delighted that Professor Adhikari has been recognised with this prestigious award.  

"His appointment to Engineering earlier this year further strengthens the research carried out in the field of Aerospace Engineering by our academic team in the 5* RAE rated Civil and Computational Research Centre."

Further information:
Swansea University School of Engineering
The Leverhulme Trust