School of Infection & Immunity

The Institute's Centre for Virus Research has been recognised with a prestigious Queen’s Anniversary Prize 2021 for Higher and Further Education.

The Prizes, granted every two years, are the highest national Honour awarded in FE and HE in the UK and recognise outstanding work by UK colleges and universities that shows quality and innovation and delivers real benefit to the wider world.

Managed by The Royal Anniversary Trust, established in 1990 to create a national programme of educational activities and other events marking the 40th anniversary of The Queen’s accession in 1992, this is the 14th round (2020-2022) of awards.

A total of 21 Prizes were announced on 25 November 2021, with the University of Glasgow recognised for the CVR's advanced virology research to combat disease, and leading expertise in the secure handling of samples and testing antivirals.

The Queen’s Anniversary Prizes recognise outstanding work by UK colleges and universities that shows quality and innovation and delivers real benefit to the wider world and public through education and training.

Principal Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli said: “The University is honoured and thrilled to be the recipient of one of the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes, in recognition of the work of our MRC University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR).

"Over the past decade, the CVR has made vital steps to further our understanding of viruses, and since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Centre has been at the forefront of the response, in Scotland, the UK and beyond.

“Our world-changing scientists have not only produced research with far-reaching global impacts, furthering our knowledge of SARS-CoV-2, but have also worked quickly to contribute to outputs that have immediately supported the UK’s response to the pandemic.

"The University is truly honoured to have these efforts recognised, and on behalf of the University of Glasgow, I congratulate the entire team at the CVR on this richly-deserved recognition.

“This heartening news means that the University of Glasgow has been successful in three of the past five rounds of the Prizes, and I am proud of colleagues right across the University who have played a part in this success.”

CVR Director Professor Massimo Palmarini said: “I am extremely grateful to the Royal Anniversary Trust for recognising the efforts and contributions of the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research towards excellence, innovation and public benefit in virus research.

“This award is testament to the hard work and dedication of the whole CVR community over many years, underpinned by our collaborative partnerships and the long-term support and investment from the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the University of Glasgow.”

Professor Iain McInnes, Vice Principal and Head of the College of MVLS at the University of Glasgow, said: “It is an incredible honour for MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research to be recognised with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize, and I’m sincerely proud of all my colleagues involved in this achievement.

“Since the pandemic began, the University has pivoted much of its research efforts towards responding to the challenges posed by COVID-19, and the CVR has been at the heart of this, with the Centre redirecting all its resources to the study of SARS-CoV-2 by February 2020.

"The Centre’s immediate and far-reaching impacts since then have contributed to public health efforts at home and across the world.

"I offer my heartiest congratulations to the entire team at the CVR for their exemplary and ongoing response to the global health emergency.”

This, the 14th round (2020-2022) is currently being celebrated, with the prize-winners due to receive their awards at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in February 2022. A total of 296 Prizes have been awarded since the start of the scheme.

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First published: 6 December 2021