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Wellcome leaders awarded New Year Honours

Jeremy Farrar, Wellcome's Director, and Mike Ferguson, Deputy Chair of our Board of Governors, have both been knighted in the New Year's Honours 2019.

Wellcome Director Jeremy Farrar
Wellcome Director Jeremy Farrar: honoured for his services to global health.
Credit: The Francis Crick Institute / Dave Guttridge

Eliza Manningham-Buller, Chair of Wellcome's Board of Governors, said: "We are delighted that Jeremy Farrar and Mike Ferguson have both been awarded knighthoods by the Queen in the New Year's Honours.

"These honours recognise the outstanding commitment and contribution Jeremy and Mike have each made to science and medicine, and to improving health for individuals and communities globally. On behalf of everyone at Wellcome and our wider community, thank you and warmest congratulations."

Jeremy Farrar joined Wellcome as Director in 2013. Before that he was Director of the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Viet Nam for 18 years. He has published almost 600 peer-reviewed scientific papers, and mentored many dozens of students and fellows.

Eliza Manningham-Buller said: "As a doctor and scientist, Jeremy is respected worldwide for his research and expertise in infectious diseases. Since being appointed as Director of Wellcome five years ago, Jeremy has led substantial change, including bringing focussed efforts to bear on antimicrobial resistance, vaccines and the risk of epidemics, science education, mental health and diversity and inclusion in research. 

"Jeremy is ambitious, not for himself, but for what Wellcome and its partners can do to improve health for people wherever they are in the world."

LinkMike Ferguson has been on Wellcome’s Board of Governors since January 2012. He is Regius Professor of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee. 

Eliza Manningham-Buller said: "Mike has dedicated his life’s work to tackling neglected tropical diseases. He has always been determined that his research should lead to benefits for patients. Of particular note is his establishment of the highly successful Drug Discovery Unit at the University of Dundee.

"He became my Deputy as Chair of Wellcome’s Board of Governors a year ago and I, and many others at Wellcome, are very grateful for his wise challenges, his expectation of high standards of work, and his kindness and humour."

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