Royal Society honours Cardiff scientists

Medals have been awarded to two leading scientists from Cardiff University, at an awards ceremony organised by the Royal Society – the UK's national academy for science.

Professor Graham Hutchings, FRS FLSW and Professor Peter Wells, CBE FRS FREng FMedSci FLSW received the awards in recognition of their research achievements at the Royal Society Anniversary Day meeting, held each year on the Feast of St Andrew, 30 November.

Professor Hutchings, FRS FLSW School of Chemistry and Director of the Cardiff Catalysis Institute was awarded the Davy Medalfor the discovery of catalysis by gold and for his seminal contributions to this new field of chemistry.

The Davy Medal is awarded annually "for an outstandingly important recent discovery in any branch of chemistry". The medal is named after Humphry Davy FRS and was first awarded in 1877.

Professor Hutchings, FRS said: "It was a wonderful experience to be presented with the Davy Medal at the Anniversary day meeting; it is a huge honour to have my research recognised in this way."

A Royal Medal for interdisciplinary sciences was awardedto Professor Wells FRS, Cardiff School of Engineering for pioneering the application of the physical and engineering sciences to the development of ultrasonics as a diagnostic and surgical tool which has revolutionised clinical practice.

Professor Wells, FRS said: ""I'm thrilled that my Royal Medal adds further lustre to Cardiff University. It also highlights the growing recognition of the importance of interdisciplinary science."

Three Royal Medals, known also as The Queen's Medals, are awarded annually by the Sovereign upon the recommendation of the Council. At the Anniversary Day meeting, the President of the Royal Society, Sir Paul Nurse, delivered a keynote speech, addressing the most important issues in the world of science.