A BIOLOGIST based at Gobowen Hospital has been recognised with a prestigious medal for her contributions to research.

Professor Sally Roberts, head of the Spinal Studies and Cartilage Repair Research Group, as well as a Keele University Research Scientist at Gobowen Hospital, has been awarded the Presidential Medal by the British Orthopaedic Research Society (BORS).

The annual BORS conference was held virtually earlier this week, and saw Professor Roberts recognised for her contributions to the research of the intervertebral disc and cell based therapies to treat disc degeneration and repair cartilage.

She described it as an honour to be the recipient of the award this year.

“It came as a real surprise to me and I can think of many colleagues, who are much more deserving of this medal,” she said.

“It’s important that I say the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital is a brilliant place to be a scientific researcher because of how close we are to clinical teams and how much support we get from our colleagues, not just the surgeons and clinicians but those from across the hospital, including Medical Records, IT, Diagnostics and many more.

“I see this medal for the whole research department and hospital, as well as colleagues at Keele University.”

Professor Roberts’ work with clinicians has contributed to delivering cell therapy for cartilage and bone repair to patients, by monitoring the quality of repair tissue, developing standardised international assessment criteria, assisting in clinical trials of cell therapy and working towards alternative sources of cells for cartilage repair.

Professor Richie Gill, who presented Professor Roberts with the medal, said: “Sally is more than deserving of the Presidential Medal.

“She is an outstanding role model for the multidisciplinary research that is essential in improving the lives of those suffering from musculoskeletal disease.”

Professor Deborah Mason added: “Sally has successfully collaborated with orthopaedic surgeons to ensure that her biological research is used for patient benefit.

“This is a great achievement in our field and one that BORS recognises and continuously strives to facilitate.”