Pandemic’s problem solvers are hailed

DOZENS of people coming up with solutions to the myriad of problems created by the coronavirus pandemic have been recognised in the New Year Honours List.

Elite research scientists developing vaccines, effective therapies and also monitoring the secondary impacts of the crisis on public have received gongs as well as the medics helping the NHS adapt.

Professor Wendy Bickmore head of the University of Edinburgh’s MRC Human Genetics Unit, was honoured for the centre’s work identifying genes that put some people at greater risk of developing the most serious symptoms of Covid-19. She was made a CBE for services to biomedical sciences and to women in science.

Elsewhere, Professor Wendy Burn, former president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, was made a CBE for predicting the mental health impact of the pandemic on health workers and the public.

Phillippa Spencer, senior principal statistician at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down, was made an OBE for services to defence during the pandemic.

The top mathematician previously worked on statistical modelling to protect healthcare workers during the 2014 Ebola pandemic in Sierra Leone.

Among the others to receive honours for their work on the pandemic was structural biologist Professor David Stuart of Oxford University, who was given a knighthood.

Prof Stuart has spent his career studying the nature of viruses. He told the PA news agency: “I am deeply honoured by this recognition.

“I have worked to understand the structure and function of pathogenic viruses for many years.

“This past year has been challenging for many all over the world, and I am amongst the large number of scientists who are trying to apply their knowledge and expertise to help fight this pandemic.

“I am grateful to all those around me, especially in Oxford University and (science facility) Diamond Light Source, who have worked together tirelessly to understand, in particular, our antibody responses to SARSCoV-2.”

Clinical engineer Professor Daniel Clark, head of the Department of Clinical Engineering, Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, was made an OBE for his work helping develop devices and technologies to tackle the Covid-19 crisis.

Forensic psychologist Professor Laurence Alison, director of the National Centre for the Study of Critical Decision Making, was made an MBE for his work helping clinicians make the right decisions during the pandemic.