University

31 Dec 09

Three Oxford University academics have been recognised in the New Year Honours, announced on 31 December.

Professor Valerie Beral, Professor of Epidemiology, Director of the Cancer Research UK Epidemiology Unit and Fellow of Green Templeton College, is made a DBE for services to science. A major focus of her research is the role of reproductive, hormonal and infectious agents in cancer. She is Principal Investigator for the Million Women Study and leads the international collaborative studies of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer. She has published widely on the incidence of cancer in people infected with HIV, and is principal investigator of the International Collaboration on HIV in cancer, which brings together worldwide data in order to determine whether HIV infection increases the risk of cancer.

Professor Marcus du Sautoy, Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science, Professor of Mathematics and Fellow of New College, is made an OBE for services to science. His research interests include prime numbers and symmetry and he is the author of popular science books The Music of the Primes and Finding Moonshine. He is the star of recent TV programmes such as BBC Two's Horizon: The Secret You and Horizon: Alan and Marcus Go Forth and BBC Four's The Story of Maths and he writes a regular column for The Times as well as contributing articles to other UK newspapers.

Professor du Sautoy said: 'It was very thrilling to hear the news of the OBE for services to science. The fact that science features in this year's honours is a sign of how important it is to our lives and I hope the award sends out a signal that we need more ambassadors from the world of science engaging with the public about the significance of science to society.

'My 6 year old girls were very excited to hear they might be going to Buckingham Palace this year and it was difficult to stop them talking about it in the playground before today's announcement!'

Also honoured is Professor Bob Williams, Royal Society's Napier Research Professor Emeritus, Emeritus Fellow of Wadham College and Honorary Fellow of Merton College, who is made an MBE for services to the community in North Oxford.