Queen’s Birthday Honour’s list recognises scientists

The contribution of individual New Zealanders to science and society has been recognised in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday New Zealand Royal Honours.

Professor sir Peter Gluckman
Professor sir Peter Gluckman

Formally announced today, the list acknowledges a wide range of people who serve their communities and recognises those who have achieved something special.

Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, one of New Zealand’s leading, internationally recognised biomedical and medical scientists, and the Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor, has been made a Member of the Order of New Zealand (ONZ).

The appointment is New Zealand’s most senior honour, and ordinary membership is limited to a maximum of 20 living persons.

Further honours include:

Professor David Bibby, for services to science and education, was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Prof Bibby, currently Dean of Science and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Science, Architecture and Design at Victoria University, has contributed to science for more than 40 years. He is an advisor to the Science Media Centre.

Dr Michelle Dickinson, for services to science, was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). Dr Dickinson is one of the world leaders in the field of nano-mechanical engineering and is currently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Auckland. She is also actively engaged in communicating science to the public and writes the NanoGirl blog on Sciblogs.

Dr Gavin Ellis, was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Dr Gavin Ellis, a journalist for more than 40 years, was central to the transformation and modernisation of the country’s biggest newspaper, The New Zealand Herald, in his roles as editor and editor-in-chief from 1996 to 2005. Dr Ellis is also an advisor to the Science Media Centre.

For services to science, Mr Michael Macknight was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Mr Macknight is the inventor of MacLab, now known as PowerLab and the founder, in 1986 of ADInstruments.

The  SMC congratulates all of those recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.