IRISHWOMAN PROFESSOR ANDREA Nolan has been awarded an honorary OBE for her contribution to field of science.

Non-UK citizens can receive the award and have done so in the past, but with certain conditions attached.

Bob Geldof was awarded a knighthood in 1986 in recognition of his charity work.

Originally from Ireland and having first studied at Trinity College Dublin, Nolan planned on becoming a vet before developing an academic career in science and moving to the University of Glasgow in 1989.

She is currently Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, and has worked at government-level on a number of science advisory councils.

Nolan is considered one of the top researches in the field of animal pain – and you also might remember her from this old school photograph.

“I feel I’ve been given an awarded for something I’ve loved doing,” she said, noting that the experience was very “humbling”, “and also so many people have helped me along the way… I feel almost like it’s a group award for everybody”.

The First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond said it was a “huge recognition of her work in science”.

“If you’re going to make that breakthrough of women getting involved science, technology, engineering, these subjects,” he said, “they’ve got so much to contribute, you need role models, and I can’t think of a better role model than Andrea Nolan.”

Read: What both sides are saying in Scotland’s great debate >