The Elizabeth Colbourn Memorial Lecture in the Application of Advanced Computer Techniques to Formulation
The Elizabeth Colbourn Memorial Lecture is an occasional lecture that will be incorporated within appropriate meetings of the Formulation Science and Technology Group. Formulation has historically been more of an art than a science and even today practical experience in many areas outweighs guidance from theory due to the complexity of a "simple" formulation. However, the use of advanced computer techniques are now able to tackle a growing number of formulation issues which would previously have meant years in a laboratory. So the Formulation Science and Technology Group will use this lecture to bring this cutting edge science within our themed meetings, exposing formualtion practitioners to the latest advance in computational techniques.
The Lectureships will be awarded by the organisers of FSTG conferences where the lecture will add a another dimension to the conference theme. If you are aware of a potential lecturer with an international profile who would be able to contribute uniquely to an FSTG confernce, then please send your qualified recommendation to the FSTG secretary -
Elizabeth Colbourn Memorial Lectures
10 November 2020 - Prof Claire Adjiman, Imperial College London, UK - The role of model-based optimisation in designing formulations - Modelling and Simulation in Formulations
26th April 2017 - James Cawse, CawseAndEffect, USA - "Design for High Throughput Experimentation" - High Throughput Formulation Screening III
15th March 2016 - Dr John Kendrick, University of Bradford - "Small molecule crystal structure prediction" - Fundamentals of Solid Form - New Insights and Developments
Background
In 2015 the Royal Society of Chemistry was presented with a generous donation in memory of Dr Elizabeth Colbourn. Elizabeth had been a pioneer in the application of computation in its broadest sense to provide solutions for formulation challenges. So whether you wanted to pack particle better in a tablet or just produce the best detergent formulation possible, then Elizabeth had been involved in software tools that made these posssible. Elizabeth's background in theoretical chemistry meant that the tools she produced while appearing simple were always grounded in solid scientific principles.
The Formulation Science and Technology Group is honoured to have been able to instigate this lecture in Elizabeth's memory, through the generous donation.
Elizabeth Colbourn BSc DPhil CChem FRSC (1949 2014)
Elizabeth was a champion of the most effective formulation using advanced computer techniques from computer modelling and simulation to data mining. Elizabeth was born in Canada, where she completed her BSc in Chemistry at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, she then moved to Oxford to study for her DPhil in theoretical chemistry. During a short stay at the University of Southampton she became interested in materials modelling. She subsequently joined ICI PLC at Runcorn first working on modelling of inorganic materials, before going across the Pennines to Wilton Materials Research Centre where she established and lead the materials modelling team, deepening knowledge in soft materials. In 1993 she left ICI to set up Oxford Materials Ltd which specialised in software for the design of new materials and processes. In 1998 she spun out Intelligensys Ltd to focus on formulation, specifically the application of data mining techniques; leading to her pioneering work in the application of neural networks, neuro-fuzzy logic and gene expression programming to the practical challenges faced in product design. On her death industry lost a unique trailblazer who embedded leading edge computer methodology into the hostile industrial environment, this lecture will continue her legacy.