Hampshire doctor specialising in diabetes research gets CBE

Professor Melanie Davies was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year’s Honours List for services to diabetes research, having been responsible for major advances in Type 2 diabetes.

Professor Davies, who went to Locks Heath Primary School, in Locks Heath, and Henry Beaufort Secondary School, in Winchester, picked up the accolade at Buckingham Palace.

Working alongside Professor Kamlesh Khunti from the University of Leicester, Professor Davies has built up the Leicester Diabetes Centre team with more than 140 people carrying out more than 40 studies designed to improve the lives of people with diabetes. The centre is now recognised across the world for its leading research, education and innovation.

Professor Davies is also still a practising hospital Consultant at Leicester General Hospital and Professor of Diabetes Medicine at the University of Leicester.

Last summer she was listed among the top 10 global diabetes experts.

Having published more than 400 academic articles and been recognised by the National Institute of Health Research as one of England’s most successful researchers, she has risen to the top in what is still a male-dominated industry. Professor Davies said: ‘Prince Charles was very charming. We spoke about the challenge of Type 2 diabetes and he congratulated me.

‘Being made a CBE is recognition for a significant amount of hard work and determination in turning a vision into reality.’