King’s Virologist recognised in New Year Honours

31 December 2021 - Dr Malur Sudhanva, Consultant Virologist, has been made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for services to healthcare science

Dr Sudhanva has been a Consultant Medical Virologist at King’s since 2004. In 2020, he was seconded to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) as Lead Clinical Advisor for the Lighthouse Laboratories, and local advisor for the NIHR UK Biocentre based in Milton Keynes.

The Lighthouse Laboratories were established as part of the UK’s efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by establishing community-based mass testing.

Dr Sudhanva’s OBE is recognition for his efforts during the pandemic, both as a consultant and member of staff at King’s, and for his role with UKHSA and Lighthouse Laboratories.

Responding to the news, Dr Sudhanva said: “I am honoured and humbled by this recognition. This honour is dedicated to all my fellow laboratory-based clinical virologists, clinical microbiologists, clinical scientists, biomedical scientists, senior assistant technical officers, administrative staff, volunteers, managers, IT and procurement teams across UK, whose magnificent behind-the-scenes efforts have been such a crucial part of the UK’s COVID-19 response.”

“I arrived in the UK from India 25 years ago with a hunger for knowledge. Wherever I’ve trained or worked, I have met so many people who have encouraged me to aim high, get work done, and let the result show for itself. Finally, I would like to thank my wife and son, for supporting me during the long hours I spent working.”

Professor Clive Kay, Chief Executive at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, added: “I am really delighted for Dr Sudhanva, and this honour is richly-deserved. Like many staff across the NHS, he has shown extraordinary leadership during the pandemic, and is rightly respected by his colleagues at King’s, and elsewhere. As important, he is a humble, generous man, and a role-model for clinicians wanting to pursue a career in virology, which has been such a vital part of the UK’s pandemic response.”

During his career to date, Dr Sudhanva has also held multiple roles with the Royal College of Pathologists, as well as with a number of other clinical and academic organisations. He is also the current Chair of the Panel of Examiners in Virology at the Royal College of Pathologists.