New Year Honours for staff and alumni

Imperial staff and alumni honoured in the Queen's New Year Honours list

Professor Deborah Ashby, Chair in Medical Statistics and Clinical Trials, has received an OBE for services to medicine in the 2009 Queen's New Year Honours list.

Professor Ashby's Chair is a joint appointment between the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health in the Division of Epidemiology, Public Health and Primary Care, and the Department of Experimental Medicine and Toxicology in the Division of Investigative Science. Prior to her appointment in 2008, she held the Chair in Medical Statistics at Barts and the London, Queen Mary, University of London, and academic appointments in medical statistics at the University of Liverpool. Her research interests are in clinical trials, systematic reviews, safety of medicines, and the utility of Bayesian statistical approaches in these areas, and current studies include research into gene therapy and other therapies for cystic fibrosis, management of pain, and prevention of diabetes.

Of her OBE award she said: "To work in an area that is intellectually stimulating and makes a difference to people's lives is a privilege; to have this recognised and honoured is the icing on the cake."

Joining Professor Ashby in the Queen's New Year Honours list were 10 alumni of the College:

• Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock (Physics 1990, PhD Mechanical Engineering 1993), Managing Director, Science Innovation Ltd and Head, EADS Astrium Ltd, Optical Instrumentation Group, received an MBE for services to science;
• George Band (DIC Oil Technology 1958) received an OBE for services to mountaineering and charity;
• Professor Leslie Ebdon (Chemistry 1968, PhD 1971), Vice-Chancellor at the University of Bedfordshire, received a CBE for services to local and national higher education;
• Barry Haseltine (Civil Engineering 1954, DIC 1955) received an MBE for services to the construction industry;
• Colonel Timothy Hodgetts (Charing Cross Hospital Medical School 1987), formerly of the Royal Army Medical Corps, received a CBE in the New Years Honours for Service personnel and defence civilians;
• Terry Kivlin (Civil Engineering 1970) received an MBE for services to skills and the community in King's Lynn, Norfolk;
• Dr Nigel Lightfoot (St Mary's Hospital Medical School 1968), Chief Advisor at the Health Protection Agency, received a CBE for services to public health;
• David Moorhouse (Civil Engineering 1967), Chair of Lloyds Register, received a CBE for services to the maritime industry;
• Dr Edward Palfrey (St Mary's Hospital Medical School 1976), Medical Director at Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, received an OBE for services to healthcare;
• Professor Richard Williams (Mining Engineering 1982, PhD Mineral Resources Engineering 1985), Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Leeds, received an OBE for services to science and engineering.

Robin Pitman, a consultant in the Institute for Security Science and Technology who joined the College this year, was also honoured with an OBE for his work with the Ministry of Defence.

The College would like to congratulate everyone who was awarded this year.