Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, a Principal Investigator at the CAMS Oxford Institute (COI), has been named an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) — a distinction held by just over 100 individuals globally, including Nobel Laureates, former RSC Presidents, leaders of major international enterprises, and eminent figures in the chemical sciences.
This prestigious recognition highlights Professor Gilbert’s exceptional contributions to global health, particularly her leadership in vaccine science during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her work has had a transformative impact on public health worldwide, with the vaccine she co-developed estimated to have saved over 6 million lives in its first year alone. Her efforts exemplify the translational research ethos that underpins COI’s mission.
Professor Gilbert was honoured alongside three other distinguished scientists: Sir John Holman of the University of York, prominent climate scientist Professor Susan Solomon, and Professor Zhong-Qun Tian from Xiamen University, China. The awards will be formally presented at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Summer Party later this year.
Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, Saïd Professor of Vaccinology and Principal Investigator at the Pandemic Sciences Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine said: ‘Making a vaccine to protect people in a pandemic needs a huge team of expert, interdisciplinary researchers – including chemists, biologists, and medical scientists – to work together.
‘This Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Society of Chemistry is recognition for the team of scientists in Oxford – and our partners globally – who worked tirelessly during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure we made a vaccine for the world.’
The Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned society and professional body for chemical scientists. Its vision is a world in which the chemical sciences fulfil their potential as a force for good.
Honorary Fellowship is the highest honour the Society awards. It is granted to those whose distinguished research careers have made an extraordinary impact on scientific advancement, or whose work has been of significant benefit to the application of chemical science.
Dr Helen Pain, Royal Society of Chemistry Chief Executive, commented: ‘It is a privilege to welcome Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert to our list of Honorary Fellows. Her work on vaccines over her career has saved countless lives and kept families together all over the world. The world owes her a debt of gratitude for developing one of the leading vaccines that tackled COVID-19, and it is incredible how many diseases she is tackling through the development of new treatments.
‘Professor Gilbert has had a transformative impact on the chemical sciences – and our society as a whole – and I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to her as we present her with this Honorary Fellowship.’
Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert honoured for outstanding contributions to global vaccine research and public health impact.
