Head of DPS, Professor of Planetary and Space Sciences, Monica Grady, has been awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Monica, who is Head of the Department of Physical Science and is based in the Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space & Astronomical Research (CEPSAR), is an expert in meteorites.
She has worked on the development of instruments to examine the Martian surface, and has contributed to a number of space missions, including the European Space Agency’s forthcoming ExoMars mission in 2016-18.
Monica said she is "surprised and thrilled" by the honour. “I’d like to say thank you to The Open University for providing a supportive and encouraging environment, and thanks to my all colleagues. I’ve been really fortunate in working with so many enthusiastic people.
“Space science is not something you do by yourself, it is a team effort."
The CBE is not the first accolade Monica has received. Asteroid 4731, discovered in 1981, was named ‘Monicagrady’ in her honour.
18 June 2012