Royal recognition for UK scientists

A number of scientists have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours list. Pratibha Gai, at the University of York, received a damehood for her services to the chemical sciences. She is developing aberration corrected electron microscopy to characterise surfaces in real time. Philip Nelson, the head of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), was also recognised with a CBE. Nelson, who is also chair of umbrella body Research Councils UK, will be guiding the EPSRC until April when it merges with the other six research councils to form UK Research and Innovation.