Professor Nilesh Samani, pictured, has been awarded the honour for services to medicine and medical research. The 58-year-old is head of cardiovascular sciences at the University of Leicester. He said the honour was "unexpected" but said it also recognised the contribution of his colleagues.
Professor Samani, who is also the British Heart Foundation's professor of cardiology, was one of the lead authors of an international study into new treatments for coronary heart disease in 2012.
"I was very surprised...It was unexpected. It's a reflection of what we are trying to achieve in Leicester. We are trying to build a world class clinical and research centre to improve the treatment of heart diseases, and I receive this award also as a recognition of my colleagues in Leicester. It is as much for them as it is for me," said Professor Samani.
