National Chemical Landmark awarded to Prof. Ap de Silva
The 10th April 2024 was a day of celebration for the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, marking the unveiling of a Royal Society of Chemistry National Chemical Landmark honouring Emeritus Professor AP de Silva.
This is the RSC’s 68th and Queen’s 2nd National Chemical Landmark after the one awarded for Thomas Andrews in 2013.
The School hosted 300 guests that included AP’s colleagues, PhD students and musician friends as well as the RSC President, Professor Gill Reid, and RSC CEO, Dr Helen Pain MBE.
Following the formal unveiling, speeches were delivered by Professor Reid and Dr Pain as well as our Head of School, Professor Panagiotis Manesiotis, Almac’s Professor Tom Moody (a former PhD student of AP), Queen’s deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, Professor Stuart Elborn, Dr Hannah Crory, AP’s last PhD, and Dr Kevin Morgan who had nominated AP for the landmark.
The formalities came to a close with an emotional speech from AP that transitioned into “An Audience with AP” with contributions from friends, former colleagues and more PhD students of AP, followed by dinner and an evening of traditional Irish provided by AP’s friends at Riddell Hall.
Guests at the unveiling of the National Chemical Landmark Left to Right: Dr Huarui He (named on Landmark Plaque), Professor Gill Reid (RSC President), Professor Panagiotis Manesiotis (QUB CCE Head of School), Professor Stuart Elborn (QUB Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor), Emeritus Professor AP de Silva (QUB CCE), Dr James Tusa (named on Landmark Plaque), Dr Marc Leiner (named on Landmark Plaque), Dr Helen Pain MBE (RSC CEO) and Dr Kevin Morgan (QUB CCE).