King's College London

Professor Anatoly Zayats, Head of the Photonics & Nanotechnology Group in the Department of Physics, and Co-Director of the Net Zero Centre and London Centre for Nanotechnology, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Elected on the Academy’s 50th anniversary by his peers, Professor Zayats joins 74 other leading figures in the fields of engineering and technology, pushing innovation in areas such as photonics, clean energy, AI, medicine and quantum science.

A world leader in photonics and nanotechnology, Anatoly has been recognised for his pioneering contributions in the fields of nanophotonics, metamaterials and plasmonics. The leader of numerous research programmes in close collaboration with industry, translating fundamental discoveries into new technologies and practical solutions, his work has delivered significant academic and social impact through international leadership and collaboration.

Professor Rachel Bearon, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Engineering Sciences said of Professor Zayats’ award: “Election as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering is a deserving award for Anatoly, and he joins a growing number of researchers at King's recognised by the Academy for their outstanding and continuing contributions to the profession.

“Anatoly is an internationally renowned research leader in nanophotonics, plasmonics and metamaterials. He is also co-director of our Centre for Net Zero, where his research exemplifies how fundamental discoveries have the potential for wide-reaching applications in clean Energy and Sustainable Technologies.”

Founded in 1976, the Royal Academy of Engineering helps provide leadership in the UK engineering and technology fields by supporting engineering research and innovation, skills and entrepreneurship, policy development, international collaboration and public engagement.

Its community of over 1,700 Fellows play a key role in the Academy’s mission for a sustainable society and inclusive economy, connecting the businesses leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers and policymakers who are at the heart of the UK’s technological progress in addition to nominating and electing new Fellows.

Sir John Lazar CBE FREng, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “This year’s cohort will be joining a community of over 1,700  top engineers and innovators in the UK and around the world. Together, we ensure that bright ideas are supported, scaled and shared, turning ambition into innovation and innovation into impact. We aim to strengthen education, skills and inclusion to inspire and equip the engineers of today and tomorrow.”