Professor Ravinder Nath 'Tiny' Maini was among those knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in this year's new year's honours list.

The son of Punjabi parents who migrated to the UK from Uganda, Maini qualified in medicine from Cambridge University in England and the Guy's Hospital Medical School, London.

A former director of the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology in London, Maini started with junior posts at Guy's, at the Brompton Hospital and at the old Charing Cross Hospital in London, where he developed an interest in immunological research and clinical rheumatology.

His research in recent years has led to breakthroughs in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

His publications include more than 400 articles in various journals and books. He is on the editorial board of a number of scientific journals and is co-editor-in-chief of a new journal, Arthritis Research.

Prof Maini has served on several organisations and bodies in connection with his work related to rheumatology.