An F1 doctor who helped save a driver’s life in one of motorsport’s most dramatic crashes, an internationally acclaimed scientist and a leading Japanese cherry blossom expert are among those to receive honorary degrees from Keele University this summer.
Six honorary awards will be presented during the University’s graduation ceremonies from July 13 to 17, recognising exceptional achievements across science, public service, culture, medicine and horticulture. The recipients will receive their awards alongside thousands of graduating students.
Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, said: “Our honorary degrees have always recognised pioneers in their fields, and exceptional people whose ideas, achievements and leadership inspire change on a global scale.
“This year is no different, and we are delighted to welcome these influential people to the Keele community from such varied walks of life.”
Among those being honoured is Dr Ian Roberts, the FIA’s Chief Medical Officer for Formula 1, who completed a Master of Medical Sciences at Keele before going on to oversee medical safety at more than 250 Grands Prix. He was among the first responders when Romain Grosjean escaped a fiery crash at the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix, an incident widely regarded as one of Formula 1’s most remarkable survival stories.
Professor Eva Nogales will also receive an honorary doctorate. A Keele graduate, she is now a Distinguished Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and one of the world’s leading biophysicists. Her groundbreaking research into the molecular machinery of cells has earned her numerous international honours, including the 2023 Shaw Prize in Life Sciences and Medicine and election as a Foreign Member of the Royal Society in 2025.
The university will also recognise Joanna Killian OBE for her distinguished career in local government and public service, and Francesca Hegyi OBE, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh International Festival, for her contribution to arts and culture.
Two honorary awards celebrate Keele’s internationally recognised flowering cherry collection. Japanese breeder Masatoshi Asari, whose work has produced more than 100 new cherry cultivars, will receive a Master of Science, alongside horticulturist Chris Sanders, who helped introduce many of Masatoshi’s varieties to the UK. These were successfully grafted at Bridgemere, where Chris was production director, and nearly all are represented in the National Collection at Keele.
