Dr Alison Taunton-Rigby, OBE, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ribonovix Inc (a company which is addressing the worsening problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria by developing new anti-infectives) and a Bristol graduate, will be honoured with the degree of Doctor of Science at the 11.15 am ceremony. The orator for the ceremony is Professor Tim Gallagher, Head of the University’s School of Chemistry.

Dr Philip Ball, Consultant Editor of Nature, science writer, and a Bristol graduate, will be honoured with the degree of Doctor of Letters at the 2.30 pm ceremony. The orator for the ceremony is Kathy Sykes, Professor of Sciences and Society at the University.

An honorary degree is a major accolade, awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement and distinction in a field or activity consonant with the University’s mission.