We are thrilled to begin 2025 with the exciting news that Dr Kerrie Davies, our Antimicrobial and Infection Emerging Theme Lead, has been awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours list for her outstanding services to medical sciences and public health.
This prestigious award recognises Dr Davies’ pivotal contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Seconded to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and later to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), she led the Technologies Validation Group, ensuring that COVID-19 tests met stringent quality standards.
She also played a key role in new regulations to prevent substandard tests from being used in the UK.
At Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) and within the NIHR Leeds MedTech In Vitro Diagnostic Cooperative (Leeds MIC), Dr Davies has championed the role of healthcare scientists in driving public health initiatives and advancing the NHS.
This recognition highlights her exceptional dedication to improving the nation’s public health and her leadership in healthcare science. We are incredibly proud of Dr Davies and her remarkable achievements.
Speaking about receiving her award Dr Davies said: “I am very grateful to have been recognised, especially for my role in Healthcare Science. Although an often unrecognised and undervalued part of the NHS, Healthcare Scientists are experts in their field, bringing cutting edge science into the NHS, for the benefit of patients and their care. I hope this honour goes some way to raising the profile of Healthcare Science and Scientists everywhere”.
In addition to her role with NIHR Leeds BRC, Dr Davies is also Principal Clinical Scientist for the Healthcare Associated Infections Research group at Leeds in collaboration with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT), the University of Leeds and Public Health England.
She is also Co-chair of Empower Leeds Women, a network for all genders, to inspire women by building their confidence, capabilities and contacts, through linking in with other local and national initiatives.