King’s College London (KCL) recently announced that three of its academics were recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours List.
The King’s Birthday Honours, released on 14 June, were awarded as part of the King’s Official Birthday celebrations. UK honours are given both at the new year and in the month of June, to individuals who have made significant contributions in their field.
From the Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, both Professor Robin Ali and Professor Adam Fox received an OBE for their outstanding contributions to healthcare and medicine. Professor Ali was awarded specifically for his services to gene and cell therapies, whilst Professor Fox was awarded for his services to paediatric allergy research.
Sir Simon Wessely, Professor of Psychological Medicine, also received an OBE for his services to mental health. And Professor Anthony Dorling, a former King’s colleague in the School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, was recognised in the list for his services to Kidney Patient Care.
Professor Ali told King’s:
“It is wonderful to receive this recognition, but it is really deserved by the whole team… whose support has made any achievement possible.”
Professor Ali is the Centre Director and Academic Lead of the KCL Gene Therapy Vector Facility. He also leads an ocular cell and gene therapy research group, for the treatment of retina- and neuro-degeneration.
Professor Fox also holds roles outside of teaching at King’s. As well as his clinical work at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, he is Chair of the National Allergy Strategy Group. He was awarded ‘Paediatric Allergist of the Year’ by Allergy UK in 2007, and was the first paediatrician to be elected as President of the British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology in 2018.
Professor Fox told KCL that he hopes that his award can raise awareness of the work that still needs to be done, to improve the lives of those living with allergies.
