Associate Professor Meng Wai Woo made Fellow of IChemE

Associate Professor Meng Wai Woo has been formally recognized for his contributions to chemical engineering, being made a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE). The honour was presented at the IChemE New Zealand Annual General Meeting, on 28 May 2025, celebrating his leadership and service to the profession.

IChemE, headquartered in the UK, is a globally respected institution that supports the advancement of chemical, biochemical, and process engineering. With members in more than 114 countries and offices around the world, IChemE Fellowships are awarded to individuals who have demonstrated sustained contribution and leadership in the field.

Wai is the immediate past Chair of the IChemE New Zealand Member Group. During his tenure, he also served as Chair of the Australian and New Zealand Federation of Chemical Engineers (ANZFChE) in 2024. ANZFChE is a collaborative group that brings together key professional bodies including IChemE-Australia, IChemE-NZ, the Industrial Division of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, and Engineering New Zealand (ENZ).

A passionate advocate for the discipline, Wai co-chaired the 2023 CHEMECA conference in Auckland — an annual event that brings together chemical engineering professionals, academics, and students from across Australasia. In 2024, he spearheaded a virtual outreach initiative, introducing high school students across New Zealand to the possibilities of a career in chemical engineering. The initiative was a collaborative effort between the University of Waikato, University of Canterbury, University of Auckland, ENZ, and IChemE.

Wai completed his PhD in Chemical Engineering at the National University of Malaysia in 2010. His research focuses on food powder technology and the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations in processing technologies.

His Fellowship recognition is a testament to his dedication to the Chemical Engineering community.