UBC Mechanical Engineering faculty member Professor Clarence de Silva has achieved the prestigious Doctor of Science (ScD) degree at the University of Cambridge. This higher doctorate (unique to the UK) recognizes the full body of work a candidate has contributed to their field – acknowledging them as an expert in their area. Candidates’ contributions to knowledge are assessed through a multi-step process involving reviews by experts in the field of study. With the granting of an ScD, Cambridge recognizes Dr. de Silva as a leader in the subject of mechatronics and automation. His research focuses on the areas of process automation, control sensors and actuators, and multi-robot systems, with applications in automated machine monitoring, diagnosis, and repair, telemedicine and environmental monitoring.
Through his extensive career, Professor de Silva has been granted many chairs and fellowships, including the Senior Canada Research Chair in Mechatronics and Industrial Automation, and won numerous notable awards including D.Eng. (Honorary) from the University of Waterloo, Paynter Outstanding Investigator Award and Takahashi Education Award from ASME Dynamic Systems & Control Division (DSCD), Killam Research Prize from UBC, Outstanding Engineering Educator Award from IEEE Canada, Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Automation Congress, IEEE Third Millennium Medal, Meritorious Achievement Award from the Association of Professional Engineers of BC, and Outstanding Contribution Award from the IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society. He has written 25 technical books and 19 edited books, as well as 51 chapters, 270 journal articles, and authored 285 conference papers, and delivered 45 keynote speeches.
The distinction is only open to former graduate students at Cambridge, where Professor de Silva previously completed one of his two PhD degrees, his other PhD having been completed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received his MASc degree from the University of Toronto.