Lesley Yellowlees is an Inorganic Electrochemist who uses Spectroelectrochemical techniques to look at a wide range of systems from solar dyes, to potential drug molecules, enzymes and catalysts working with scientists from all over the world.

Recently she has become increasingly interested in all aspects of renewable energy from science, engineering, economic, social and policy perspectives. An energetic advocate of encouraging women into science, Lesley was the first woman to be appointed head of chemistry at the University of Edinburgh and is also the university’s Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Science and Engineering. She was awarded an MBE in 2005 for services to science and a CBE in 2014 for services to chemistry.