Professor Spector specialises in genetic epidemiology and founded the UK Twins Registry, of 13,000 twins, which is the richest collection of genotypic and phenotypic information worldwide.

His work with the COVID-19 Symptom Study App has provided essential data in response to the pandemic. More than 4million people across the UK have contributed the app. This has enabled researchers to make key findings about the nature of the disease. The app provided crucial data that confirmed loss of smell and taste – anosmia – was an early symptom of COVID-19. Other activities include identifying hotspots across the UK and investigating the effect of obesity, menopause and inflammation on the severity of COVID-19.

Other King’s staff, student and alumni recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours this year include Professor Edward Byrne who has been awarded a knighthood, Professor Anne-Marie Rafferty who has been awarded a Damehood and James Rubin who has received an OBE for contributions to health services. Dr Simon Horne, a full time regular with the Royal Army Medical Corps and Emergency Medicine Consultant, has also received an OBE for his services to the military. Dr Horne's area of study has been critical developing better national and international policy in civil-military relations for humanitarian actions in new complex emergencies from the Middle East to Ebola outbreaks in Easter DR Congo.

Another member of the extended King’s community, Felicia Kwaku, Associate Director of Nursing at King’s College NHS Foundation Trust is recognised with an OBE for her work supporting Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic nurses during the pandemic.

The Queen’s Birthday Honours lists recognise the achievements of a wide range of people from across the UK. More information and the full New Year's Honours list for 2020 can be found here