Professor Saul Faust has received his OBE for COVID-19 vaccine research.
He was presented the honour by the Prince of Wales last week in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Prof Faust is a Consultant Paediatrician at University Hospital Southampton and Professor of Paediatric Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Southampton.
He played a prominent role in research that informed the national COVID-19 vaccination programme.
World-leading research
Southampton delivered the highest number of COVID-19 studies across all acute NHS trusts during the pandemic.
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 and made international headlines.
The trial was led by Prof Faust. Their findings played a major role in shaping the UK COVID booster programme.
Prof Faust has been involved in wider studies including a needle-free vaccine for COVID-19 variants. Most recently, COV-BOOST found that a fourth dose of UK-approved vaccines give a strong immunity boost.
Supporting the vaccine rollout
Professor Faust received his honour alongside former University of Southampton Chief Operating Officer, Richard Middleton. He was awarded an OBE for services to the Commonwealth and Higher Education.
Prof 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.
“I am very proud to be recognised for my work to support the UK’s pandemic response,” comments Prof Faust.
“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.”