Latest news from Loughborough University

28 Oct 2013

Award recognises talented graduate designer

Loughborough University graduate Suzy Shelley is to receive a Special Recognition Award at the EUWIIN International 2013 Awards in Stockholm next month.

The Awards are managed by the Global Women Inventors and Innovators Network (GWIIN) which was launched in 1998 to support inventive women embracing enterprise.

Suzy will receive her award at the European Union Women Inventors and Innovators Network Exhibition and Conference which brings together thousands of designers, engineers, entrepreneurs, scientists and technologists from all sectors and backgrounds across Europe.

Graduating with a First Class Honours degree in Industrial Design and Technology, Suzy spent two years in industry working for branded packaging specialists Path Design. Meanwhile, she was amongst the first cohort of tenants in The Studio – the University’s graduate business development programme. She is now back at Loughborough Design School full-time, pursuing a PhD in 3D printing.

She was nominated for the award by Megan Powell Vreeswijk – Loughborough’s Senior Commercialisation Fellow and Head of The Studio – who said of Suzy’s success:

“I am delighted that the GWIIN judges have selected Suzy’s nomination, and that she is to receive her award. She is a creative and innovative designer whose commitment and drive are truly inspirational.”

Suzy will have the opportunity to demonstrate her talent at the event where she will be exhibiting the second prototype of Avo – the attractive self-maintaining fish tank she originally developed as part of her final year degree project. If she impresses the judges again, she could be in line for further awards.

She is very excited about the event: “It is a massive opportunity for me to meet like-minded people, and demonstrate Avo to a pan-European audience. I plan to concentrate my energies on Avo during the coming months with a view to Kick-starting the business next year. This event and my award are a huge boost.”

To find out more about Suzy’s work, please visit her website.

−ENDS−

Notes for editors

Article reference number: PR 13/204

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It was awarded the coveted Sunday Times University of the Year 2008-09 title, and is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in national newspaper league tables. It has been voted England's Best Student Experience for six years running in the Times Higher Education league, and in recognition of its contribution to the sector, the University has been awarded six Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

It is a member of the 1994 Group of 11 leading research-intensive universities. The Group was established in 1994 to promote excellence in university research and teaching. Each member undertakes diverse and high-quality research, while ensuring excellent levels of teaching and student experience.

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Loughborough University
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