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MORU. Photographer: Gerhard Jørén
Nicholas Day, Professor of Tropical Medicine in the Nuffield Department of Medicine, has been appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the King’s New Year Honours 2026, in recognition of his services to global health.
The CMG is one of the UK’s most senior honours, traditionally awarded for exceptional service in international affairs and overseas work. In global health, it recognises sustained contributions that have improved health outcomes beyond the UK, particularly in low-resource settings. Professor Day was one of five members of the University of Oxford recognised in this year’s honours list.
Professor Day joined the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) in Vietnam in 1991, where his early work focused on the treatment of severe malaria, typhoid, tetanus and diphtheria. Since 2003, he has served as Director of the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), leading international research collaborations across Asia and Africa.
Reflecting on the honour, Professor Day said:
‘Global health is rarely straightforward. Progress is hard won, setbacks are common, and the health inequities involved can be sobering. I have been extraordinarily fortunate to spend my career at MORU and before that at OUCRU, working alongside colleagues whose skill, courage, and generosity make meaningful work possible in the most difficult circumstances.
‘Anything I have achieved has depended on that collective effort, and I am deeply grateful to everyone across the MORU network, and to our partners, research participants, and my family for their trust and support.’