University of Southampton Professor Receives Honour at Buckingham Palace
Professor Saul Faust has received his OBE for COVID-19 vaccine research. He was presented the honour by the Prince of Wales in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace, London.
Professor Faust is a Professor of Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the University and Consultant Paediatrician at University Hospital Southampton (UHS). He played a leading role in the national COVID-19 vaccination programme.
He said: “I am very proud to be recognised for my work to support the UK’s pandemic response.
“It is a tribute to the fantastic research teams in Southampton and across our region who worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and the generous public who take part in our vaccine trials. I could not have done it without their support.
“Working together, we made enormous progress in determining the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, which are now saving lives around the world.”
During the pandemic, Southampton researchers and medics led and supported multiple studies that helped to determine the safety and effectiveness of vaccines for use in adults and children across the world.
One of the biggest studies, COV-BOOST, looked at the safety, immune responses and side-effects of seven vaccines when used as a third booster jab. The trials were led by Professor Faust and UHS. Findings not only played a major role in shaping the UK COVID booster programme, they were also recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Professor Faust received his honour alongside former University of Southampton Chief Operating Officer (COO), Richard Middleton, who was awarded an OBE for services to the Commonwealth and Higher Education.
Richard Middleton spent seven years as Chair of the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission and was recognised for his services to the Commonwealth and Higher Education. He took up his post as interim COO at the University of Southampton in January 2020 and stayed until December 2021.
Professor Faust is Director of the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility (CRF). He is also Clinical Director of the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Wessex and a co-lead for Microbiology, Immunology and Infection in the NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre.