Staffordshire virologist recognised in the King's Birthday Honours
She's a voice you heard a lot on our airwaves throughout the pandemic
A virologist who became a regular and trusted voice heard on Greatest Hits Radio News during the coronavirus pandemic has been recognised in the inaugural King's Birthday Honours.
Keele University scientist, Dr Naomi Forrest Soto has received the British Empire Medal for services to public communication during Covid-19.
Dr Forrester-Soto spoke extensively to the media throughout the pandemic, conducting over 500 interviews with local, national and international media sharing her expertise on virology and the latest news concerning Covid-19, reaching over 60 million people, as well as answering questions from the public.
Her knowledge provided reassurance and guidance and helped make sense of the complicated science dominating our lives.
Dr Forrester-Soto said: “Speaking in the media was a privilege and I hope that in some small way I reduced people’s concerns and enabled them to weather the ups and downs of the pandemic better.”
Professor Mark Ormerod, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost at Keele University, said, "I am absolutely delighted that Naomi's huge media contribution during the Covid pandemic has been recognised by this award. Naomi unstintingly devoted a huge amount of time to media engagement work during the pandemic.
“She excelled in communicating often complex science to millions of people in a clear and balanced way that really engaged and resonated with the public at what was a very challenging, uncertain and unsettling time for so many people in society."
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