University academics recognized in Kings Birthday Honours

Psychiatrist Professor Rachel Upthegrove has been awarded an MBE for services to mental health and life sciences research.

Professor Upthegrove, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Birmingham and Consultant Psychiatrist at Birmingham Early Intervention Services, was recognized this year with the Kings Birthday Honours.

Her research focuses on developing new treatments for psychoses, including schizophrenia and early-stage depression, developing evidence for inflammatory biomarkers and novel targets.

Professor Upthegrove leads the NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC), which connects experts and centers across the UK to accelerate breakthroughs in the field into clinical practice. MH-TRC is currently delivering the Government’s Mental Health Mission, a £42 million program designed to increase mental health research capacity and address areas of unmet need and the high burden of mental illness. She will take up the post of Designated Director of the Oxford Health Biomedical Research Center and the University of Oxford in August 2024.

Professor Upthegrove is very committed to developing new treatments for severe mental illness that improve lives and Patient and Public Involvement and Participation (PPIEP) a strong feature of her work, including setting up PPIEP youth groups in Birmingham.

A graduate of the Royal Free Hospital School of Medicine, Rachel completed general and specialist training in adult psychiatry while developing research interests in schizophrenia and first episode psychosis. He completed his PhD at the University of Birmingham in 2011 and has been working for the University of Birmingham since 2013.

On receiving the award, Professor Upthegrove said: “I am delighted to have been awarded an MBE for services to research in mental health and life sciences. Improving our understanding of mental illness and creating new and effective interventions and therapies is vitally important, especially for those experiencing mental health problems and their families.

“I am proud that this work has been recognized. This is a testament to the many collaborators, colleagues, patients and researchers I have worked with nationally and internationally, and particularly at the University of Birmingham and the University of Oxford over the last few years, who have been absolutely essential to making progress in this field. and to improve. patients’ lives.”

Also recognized in this year’s Birthday Honors List is Professor Janice Thompson, Honorary Professor Emeritus in the School of Sport, Exercise and Recovery Sciences, who received a British Empire Medal for services to public health.

Professor Thompson is a leading expert on public health nutrition and exercise and their role in preventing and treating obesity risks.

With over 30 years of experience examining the factors that influence dietary and physical activity choices, Professor Thompson has been able to use his expertise to work in partnership with communities to develop and evaluate culturally tailored lifestyle interventions to reduce risks for obesity and type. 2 diabetes.

He is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the European College of Sports Science (ECSS). In 2015, she was awarded the ACSM Citation Award in recognition of her significant contributions to the field of exercise science.