The Royal Society of Biology would like to congratulate five Fellows who have been recognised in this year’s New Year Honours list.

The New Year Honours list acknowledges the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom.

The following RSB Fellows have been honoured in 2025:

• Professor Dame Julia Buckingham DBE FRSB
• Professor Daniel Davis MBE FMedSci FRSB
• Professor Frank Kelly CBE FMedSci FRSB
• Dr Petra Oyston OBE FRSB
• Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu DBE FMedSci FRSB

Dr Mark Downs CBiol CSci FRSB, Chief Executive of the RSB, said: “We’re thrilled to see five of our Fellows recognised in the 2025 New Year Honours. It’s a fantastic way to start the year and highlight the incredible social and economic impact biologists make through their passion, commitment, skills, and knowledge from across the RSB family of bioscience disciplines.”

L-R: Professfor Dame Julia Buckingham DBE FRSB, Professor Daniel Davis MBE FMedSci FRSB, Professor Frank Kelly CBE FMedSci FRSB, Professor Ijeoma Uchegbu DBE FMedSci FRSB

Professor Dame Julia Buckingham DBE FRSB, Vice-Chancellor, Brunel University London, and President, Universities UK, has been made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to Higher Education.

Commenting on the award, Professor Dame Buckingham said: “It is a huge honour and privilege to receive this award. Our universities are one of the UK’s greatest assets and I am delighted that many colleagues from across the sector were recognised alongside me for their contributions. A big thank you to all my friends and colleagues at RSB for all the help and support they have given me over the years.”

Professor Daniel Davis MBE FMedSci FRSB, Head of Life Sciences and Professor of Immunology, Imperial College London and Chair of the Editorial Board The Biologist, has been given the Member of the Order of the British Empire award for services to Science Communication.

Professor Davis said: “A huge number of people have helped me in this, and I thank you all, deeply. Everyone who has been in my research team, guiding my thinking over many years. The immune system is a frontier of science whose time has come. By writing and talking about its wonders and its importance, I hope that I have done something useful and meaningful."

Professor Frank Kelly CBE FMedSci FRSB, Battcock Chair in Community Health and Policy, Imperial College London, was awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to Air Pollution Research and to Human Health.

Commenting on the news, Professor Kelly said: "I feel incredibly privileged to have received this recognition - especially since it acknowledges work that has been, and continues to be, so very rewarding. I am immensely thankful to those who have supported and inspired me along the way. This honour is a reflection of collective effort and dedication of many talented and wonderful individuals around the world."

Dr Petra Oyston OBE FRSB, Fellow of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to Science and Defence.

Dr Oyston said: “It is an incredible honour to receive this recognition for my work in synthetic and engineering biology. This honour reflects the collaborative efforts of a brilliant, multidisciplinary team dedicated to tackling some of the most complex challenges in defence and security. I am proud to contribute to innovations that strengthen the UK Armed Forces and national resilience.”

Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu DBE FMedSci FRSB, President of Wolfson College, University of Cambridge, has been made Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to the Chemical Sciences and to Inclusion and Diversity.

Commenting on the award, Professor Dame Uchegbu said: “I am beyond thrilled to receive this recognition. I couldn’t quite believe it when the letter arrived. I am very grateful and proud that colleagues felt me worthy of such an honour.”

If you, or a member you know, has been also been honoured this year, please contact us at membership@rsb.org.uk