An energy researcher was awarded an OBE for her services to science in the latest New Year’s Honours.

Dr Carol Turley works for the UK Energy Research Centre and is based at Plymouth Marine Laboratory.

She recently stepped down as a UKERC co-director after overseeing the work of the centre’s energy and environment research.

Dr Turley said this week: “It has been a wonderful privilege to explore and discover how the oceans work, and to be recognised by this award is a surprise and an honour.

“Over the years I have collaborated with many great scientists and I hope they feel they can share this award: science is, after all a joint endeavour that develops over a long period of time. Everyone I have worked with, both at Plymouth and around the world, is being honoured.”

Dr Turley has 30 years experience in marine biogeochemistry, including managing the UK-wide community research project Biogeochemical Ocean Flux Study, which investigated the natural controls on atmospheric CO2 levels and involved 138 scientists and 14 UK participants.

She is currently undertaking UKERC research into developing tools for assessing the environmental impact of energy exploitation/carbon abatement in the marine environment and to optimise opportunities for improved sustainability.