She said: ‘I feel incredibly privileged to receive this honour for contribution to the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and am proud to do so on behalf of all those who work tirelessly behind the scenes in the clinic, laboratory, administration and logistics to make scientific advances happen every day that can change the world.’
Dr Aley joined the Oxford Vaccine Group in May 2016 and later played a pivotal role in the clinical trial operations for the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, supporting not only the delivery of the trials in UK, Brazil and South Africa, but working with partners to ensure market authorisation of the vaccine at a global scale. She is responsible for the strategic oversight and direction of activity for the Oxford Vaccine Group, with the aim to facilitate research on the development and implementation of vaccines.
She added: ‘I hope we don’t have to face a pandemic again, but I cannot help but be inspired by these individuals who are filled with a responsibility to face the many challenges, draw on their individual skills and deliver to make the world a safer and healthier place.’
Dr Aley is one of several members of Oxford University to be recognised in the list:
Professor Sir John Irving Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine at the University of Oxford, was appointed a Companion of Honour (CH), for his transformation of the University’s research and innovation ecosystem enabling billions of pounds of investment in research programmes, equipment, major building projects and land purchases.
Professor E.J. Milner-Gulland, Tasso Leventis Professor of Biodiversity at the University of Oxford, is appointed a Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to biodiversity conservation.
Professor Paul Newman, BP Professor of Information Engineering, is appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) for services to engineering and technology.
Alison Noble, Technikos Professor of Biomedical Engineering, is appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Engineering and Biomedical Imaging.
Other individuals have been recognised for their service to Australia in the King’s Birthday Honours List including David Hunter, Richard Doll Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine at Oxford Population Health, who is appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia.