The Department of Biology and Biochemistry professor was nominated for his contribution for structural molecular biology.

The Society of Biology is a leading professional body representing many of the learned societies and other organisations making up the diverse landscape of the biological sciences, as well as thousands of individuals.

Members include practising scientists, students at all levels, professionals in academia, industry and education, and non-professionals with an interest in biology.

It has more than 80,000 members and is committed to ensuring that it provides Government and other policy makers, including funders of biological education and research, with a distinct point of access to authoritative, independent, and evidence-based opinion, representative of the widest range of bioscience disciplines.

Professor Acharya came to the University of Bath as a Lecturer in 1990, he became a Reader in 1994 and a Professor in 1998.

He was also Leverhulme Trust Research Fellow (1993-1994), Nuffield Foundation Science Research Fellow (1994-1995), Royal Society – Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellow (2001-2002), Wellcome Trust Research Leave Fellow (2004-2007), Royal Society Industry Research Fellow (2007-2011) and Syntaxin Ltd (UK) Research Fellow (2011-2012)

His fellowship with the Society of Biology began on 1 October.

He said: “It is very good to be recognised for my work. I am looking forward to making an active contribution to UK biology.”