Professor John Huthnance awarded the MBE in the New Years Honours

The Deputy Director of the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, Liverpool, Professor John Huthnance has been awarded the MBE in the New Years Honours in recognition of his contribution to marine science.

Professor John Huthnance is a nationally and internationally recognised leader in Marine Science. He is Deputy Director of the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, a Natural Environment Research Council research centre. He conducts pioneering research on shelf sea dynamics and coastal trapped waves - underpinning our ability to predict the increasing risk of coastal flooding because of climate change. John serves on the Ocean Processes, Habitats and Biodiverse Seas evidence groups, part of the UK Marine Monitoring Assessment Strategy run by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. From 1988 to 1993 he was the Honorary Secretary of the UK Challenger Society - a charitable learned society promoting all aspects of marine science from amateur to professional. From 1994-1999 he was Honorary Professor at the University of Wales, Bangor, recognising his leadership of research programmes studying the UK's coastal seas. John is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Liverpool - a position he uses to inspire and mentor the next generation of marine scientists. Professor Huthnance has published extensively in leading journals such as the Journal of Physical Oceanography, the Journal of Fluid Mechanics and the Journal of Geophysical Research.

Commenting on the award, Professor Huthnance said: "I am delighted to be given this award. Any credit should be shared by my colleagues in POL and the wider marine science community; their support, encouragement and collaborative spirit have been important in all that I have done."

The Proudman Oceanographic (POL) scientific research focuses on oceanography encompassing global sea-levels and geodesy, numerical modelling of continental shelf seas and coastal sediment processes. This research alongside activities of surveying, monitoring, data management and forecasting provides strategic support for the wider mission of the Natural Environment Research Council.

As a public funded body it is part of our remit to inform the public of the science and research undertaken at the laboratory. Attending events like the 'Ocean Awareness Weekend' at the Blue Planet Aquarium offers the opportunity for our scientists to meet members of the public and present the laboratory's work.

The Natural Environment Research Council is one of the UK's eight Research Councils. It uses a budget of about £ 350m a year to fund and carry out impartial scientific research in the sciences of the environment. NERC trains the next generation of independent environmental scientists. It is addressing some of the key questions facing mankind, such as global warming, renewable energy and sustainable economic development.