We would like to congratulate our esteemed colleague Professor Rachel Upthegrove MBE, MBBS, FRCPsych, PhD on her recent achievement of receiving the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for Services to Mental Health and Life Sciences Research in the Kings birthday honours list 2024.
Rachel trained in Medicine at the Royal Free Hospital. After house officer and general medical SHO posts, she began training Psychiatry in Birmingham in the beginning of service developments for assertive community care. Rachel completed general and specialist adult psychiatry training working part time, whilst developing active research interests in Schizophrenia and First Episode Psychosis.
Her research focuses on the identification of novel treatments for early stages of severe mental illness with a focus on co-morbidities.
Rachel is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry and Director Designate of the Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre (OH BRC).
Prof Upthegrove is also:
- Chair NIHR Mental Health Translational Research Collaboration (MH-TRC)
- Co-lead Early Psychosis, Molecular Targets OH BRC Theme
- Professor of Psychiatry and Youth Mental Health, Institute for Mental Health, University of Birmingham
- Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist, Early Intervention in Psychosis
- Honorary General Secretary, British Association for Psychopharmacology
- Previously Deputy Editor, British Journal of Psychiatry 2017-2023
Her MBE was awarded by Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne at a ceremony in Windsor Castle and is recognition for achievement or service in and to the community which is outstanding in its field and has delivered sustained and real impact which stands out as an example to others.
Upon receiving her award, Rachel said:
“It was so lovely to be honoured with an MBE for services to mental health research. This award raises the profile of our crucial work and is a recognition of the collective effort of many collaborators, colleagues, patients and researchers who I have had the honour to work with. It was a very special day for my family (and me!) and one we will always remember.”
