Prof. Hugo de Lasa, Director of University of the Chemical Reactor Engineering Centre at the University of Western Ontario, has been a key figure in furthering the understanding of the science and technology of chemical reactors, especially in pursuit of environmentally friendly process.  He is the founding Director of the University of Western Ontario's Chemical Reactor Engineering Center (CREC).  Among his inventions are the CREC Riser simulator, innovative optical probes, and several photochemical processes. He has maintained close working linkages with industry and with Latin America.  He has also been active in organizing major international conferences, and is the founding co-editor of the International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering.