Celebrating Diversity: Chemists Honoured for Their Impact on Inclusion in 2023

The Royal Society of Chemistry’s (RSC’s) former president, Gill Reid, is among several members of the chemical sciences community acknowledged in the UK’s 2025 new year honours list.

Reid, who has been named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her contributions to the chemical sciences as well as to inclusion and diversity, referred to the recognition as one of her ‘most proud moments’.

‘The fact that the citation includes both the chemical sciences and inclusion and diversity is meaningful to me,’ she stated. ‘I truly believe that we must endeavor to cultivate a genuinely inclusive chemistry community that embraces diversity and motivates young talent to pursue careers in chemistry. Now more than ever, uniting diverse talents and experiences is vital to address the climate, sustainability, and biodiversity challenges facing the globe.’

Helen Pain, the chief executive of the RSC, expressed her ‘delight’ that Reid had been honored for her ‘remarkable’ contributions to the chemical sciences. ‘Her leadership as the immediate past president of the Royal Society of Chemistry and her dedication to providing young individuals with access to a superior science education and opportunities for lifelong careers in chemistry are just two instances of the impact she has achieved,’ Pain remarked. ‘I have collaborated with Gill for numerous years, and I am deeply appreciative of her as an inspiration for leadership within our field.’

Also acknowledged in the 2025 honors was Ijeoma Uchegbu, a professor of pharmaceutical nanoscience at the School of Pharmacy at University College London and the chief scientific officer of the pharmaceutical nanotechnology spinout Nanomerics, who was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to the chemical sciences and to inclusion and diversity.

Uchegbu, who assumed the presidency of Wolfson College at the University of Cambridge the previous year and became an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry in 2022, has been instrumental in the RSC’s efforts regarding inclusion and diversity – including its Missing elements report – aligning with her role as UCL’s pro vice provost for Africa and the Middle East and UCL provost’s envoy for race equality.

Pain stated that Uchegbu’s honors were a ‘testament’ to her ‘innovative research’ utilizing nanoparticles to formulate medications that aid in controlling drug transport throughout the body, which she labeled as ‘extremely promising’. ‘Ijeoma assumes such a crucial leadership position in numerous areas of her career, making this honor a fitting acknowledgment of her unique contributions within the realm of science,’ Pain added.

Also recognized in the new year’s honors was Harry Destecroix, founder of Science Creates – a framework that supports scientists and engineers in fast-tracking their ideas and establishing businesses from scientific breakthroughs – who received a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his contributions to science. Destecroix was the 2023 Chemistry World Entrepreneur of the Year.

Paul Monks, professor of atmospheric chemistry and earth observation science at the University of Leicester and chief scientific adviser for the department for energy security and net zero within the UK government, was honored with a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for his services to science in government.

Peter Thompson, the chief executive officer of the National Physical Laboratory, the UK’s National Metrology Institute, also received a CB for his contributions to science and technology.

In conclusion, Rosalind Rickaby, chair of geology at the University of Oxford, was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to biogeochemistry.