Professor Pete Hollingsworth, Director of Science and Deputy Keeper at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has been awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours for services to botanical sciences.

A part of the Botanics team for more than 25 years, his research focuses on understanding and conserving plant biodiversity, with a particular interest in using DNA and genomic science to study the natural world, including developing and deploying DNA methods for telling species apart.

His other interests include the science and best practice of species reintroductions to their natural habitats, furthering the understanding of pest and pathogen threats to plants in the environment, and developing the approach to the conservation of genetic diversity. A cross-cutting strand to his work is translating scientific evidence into practical guidance.

Pete is an Honorary Professor of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming Institute of Botany, and Heriot Watt University, a Visiting Professor of both the University of Edinburgh and the University of Johannesburg. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

On the matter of his CBE, he commented: “I was both extremely surprised and greatly honoured to be notified about the award. I work with many inspirational colleagues at the Botanics and around the world in the race to understand and conserve biodiversity, and this award reflects many wonderful collaborations and joint efforts.”