IBMS Fellows Recognised on Queen’s Honours List

Professor Sir Stephen Holgate, Clinical Professor of Immunopharmacology at the University of Southampton and Royal College of Physicians Special Advisor on Air Quality, has been awarded a knighthood. Ann Hannah, Rapid Response Laboratories Operations and Histology Manager, has been awarded a British Empire Medal.

IBMS CEO, Jill Rodney comments:

“On behalf of the IBMS, I would like to extend my congratulations to Ann and Sir Stephen. They have both made outstanding contributions to the biomedical science profession and I am delighted that their achievements have been recognised at such a high level."

Professor Stephen Holgate has been awarded a Knighthood for his services to medical research.

One of the top specialists in his field, Sir Stephen has devoted his career to understanding lung disease. He is a co-founder of Synairgen – a University of Southampton spin-out company which was established with the aim to understand why patients with lung disease are so vulnerable to respiratory viruses.

Through their research, Sir Stephen’s team discovered that those with lung disease have a defect in the production of interferon beta. The molecule is normally released towards the end of an immune attack, and helps to reduce inflammation. The team at Synarigen developed an inhalable form of interferon beta, which is effective against asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Covid-19.

Furthermore, Sir Stephen speaks out about the dangerous impacts of air pollution on human health. In 2016, he chaired a Royal College of Physicians work party which published a prominent report revealing that around 40,000 deaths in the UK each year can be attributed to air pollution. He continues to put pressure on policymakers about the issues. More recently, he was a lead author of a report by RCP and The Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health which highlights the dangerous impact of air pollution on the health of children and young people.

Sir Stephen commented:

“This award came as a complete surprise to me. I am so grateful to the many colleagues whom I have had the pleasure of working with over the last four decades, and without whom this would never have occurred. I hope it shines a light on the importance of lung disease which, for many years, has not had the recognition it deserves.”

Ann Hannah has been awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to pathology in the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the Rapid Response Laboratories Operations and Histology Manager, she has been vital in ensuring the delivery of medically-led diagnostics, innovation, value and long-term investment to healthcare. She has been invaluable in linking Health Services Laboratories with their NHS Trust partner and client hospitals.

Ann commented:

I’m still feeling quite overwhelmed, and humbled, to think that I was nominated for this honour from amongst so many deserving colleagues.  It may often be said, but It is absolutely true, that we all rely on very many other members of the team to do our job to the best of our ability.  It is really amazing to see the level of resilience and commitment that all have shown, and continue to demonstrate, during these continuing challenging times.