Professor Stephen O'Rahilly, an Irish-born research scientist, is to be knighted by Queen Elizabeth.

Prof O'Rahilly is an internationally renowned scientist and expert in the area of the genetics of obesity.

According to the Irish Times, O'Rahilly, who is originally from Finglas in Dublin and a graduate of UCD, leads a large team of British-based research scientists investigating the causes and development of obesity in humans. The 55-year-old scientist will be included in this year’s birthday honours, produced each June.

Since he has both Irish and British citizenship, he will be known as Prof Sir Stephen O’Rahilly.

Prof O'Rahilly told the Irish Times that he was "very moved" and that it was “a lovely honour” reflecting not only his 30 years of research but also the work carried out by his team of scientists.

“It is great to be honoured by the country where I have lived for more than half my life and to be recognised for the contribution I try to make,” he said.

He said his research was "only 2 percent" completed and that there remained much left to be done “to uncover why some people go on to develop cancers and diabetes and others don’t."

O'Rahilly has won several international research awards. He has been elected to the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal Society, and he is also a Foreign Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences.

John Gilhooly, the Limerick-born director of London's famous Wigmore Hall, will also be honored. The 39-year old is a chairman of the Royal Philharmonic Society and will receive an OBE for his part in developing the hall.