Horsham scientist honoured for helping to stem Covid pandemic

Cambridge Professor Julia Gog was awarded an OBE in the Queens Birthday Honours for ‘services to academia and the Covid-19 response.’

Julia, who spent lockdown at the family home in Horsham, is a leading expert in the use of mathematical modelling to understand and help control the spread of infectious diseases.

She is part of a group with expertise on pandemic modelling and whose focus since January has been on Covid-19.

Julia’s work on SAGE - the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies - and subcommittees has included particular attention to children in the pandemic, and building the evidence-base for the safe reopening of schools.

Julia is Professor of Mathematical Biology in the department of applied mathematics and theoretical physics. Among many other roles, she serves on the steering committee to the Royal Society’s Rapid Assistance in Modelling the Pandemic initiative.

She won the Royal Society’s Rosalind Franklin Medal for 2020 and has also recently been made an honorary member of the Mathematical Association.

A Fellow at Queens’ College, Cambridge, Julia is director of studies in maths and the David N. Moore Fellow in mathematics. She is senior treasurer of MagSoc, enjoys Fellows’ badminton and plays in defence for the Queens’ women’s football team.

She said of the Queen’s Birthday Honours: “It’s hugely rewarding to see so many scientists recognised in this way.

“While I am of course thankful for this personal honour, science is a team pursuit, and I am grateful to so many colleagues for their work and support particularly during this year.

“While there are still many challenges ahead, we will continue to do all we can to help bring this pandemic to an end.”

Julia lived in Horsham all her life until she went to Cambridge as an undergraduate.

She was educated at St Mary’s, Tanbridge and Collyers College in Horsham.