Professor Chris Roberts, the inaugural joint Professor of the PLuS Alliance – the global collaboration between UNSW Sydney, King’s College London and Arizona State University – is among UNSW staff and alumni recognised in this year’s Australia Day honours.

Professor Roberts was named an Officer (AO) in the General Division.

UNSW community members recognised in this year’s honours include:

Officer (AO) in the General Division

Mr Massimo Borghetti AO, Guest Lecturer at UNSW’s Aviation Management School, was recognised for distinguished service to the Australian aviation industry, to the development of national and international tourism opportunities, and as a supporter of the arts and sport.

Professor Chris Roberts AO, inaugural joint Professor of the PLuS Alliance and member of UNSW’s Faculty of Medicine Advisory Council, was recognised for distinguished service to science and the development and commercialisation of medical biotechnology, particularly through the cochlear implant program, and the management of respiratory conditions.

Member (AM) in the General Division

Professor Richard Harvey AM, Co-Deputy Director of the Victor Change Cardiac Research Institute and Sir Peter Finlay Chair in Heart Research at UNSW, was recognised for significant service to medicine in the field of cell biology and cardiovascular research, and through scientific leadership roles.

Dr Donald Hector AM, a member of UNSW’s Science Advisory Council, was recognised for significant service to science in the field of chemical engineering, and to business.

Dr Sandra Lowe AM, Conjoint Associate Professor with the School of Women’s & Children's Health and a Visiting Obstetric Physician at the Royal Hospital for Women in Randwick, was recognised for significant service to obstetric medicine as a clinician, to medical education, and to professional organisations.

Dr Sue-Anne Wallace AM, a member of the Sydney Advisory Council at the Centre for Social Impact and a Lecturer at UNSW Art & Design from 1994-1996, was recognised for significant service to the not-for-profit sector, particularly through charitable fundraising reform and establishing codes of practice.

Professor Malcolm Walter AM, founding director of the Australian Centre for Astrobiology, was recognised for significant service to science in the field of astrobiology as an author, academic, educator and mentor.

Mr Albert Wong AM, member of the Alumni Leaders Network and UNSW Foundation boards and former Governor of the Alumni Board, was recognised for significant service to the community, particularly to medical research organisations, to the tertiary education sector, and to the visual arts.

Medal (OAM) in the General Division

Professor Hugh Dickson OAM, Clinical School – South Western Sydney Area Health Service, was recognised for service to aged care and rehabilitation, and to medical education and administration.

The Australia Day honours list included 58 UNSW alumni. They included former Wallaby Phil Kearns AM, who was recognised for significant service to the community through support for charitable organisations, to business, and to rugby union at the elite level, and UNSW Law alumna Rebecca Peters AO, who was recognised for distinguished service to the community as an advocate and campaigner for gun control, and as a global leader in the reduction of the proliferation and misuse of small arms.