Lesley Yellowlees completed both her BSc in Chemical Physics and her PhD in Inorganic Electrochemistry at the University of Edinburgh. After completing research positions in Brisbane, Australia and Glasgow she returned to an academic position in Edinburgh in 1986 and gained a personal chair in Inorganic Electrochemistry in 2005.
Her current research interests are inorganic electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry, epr spectroscopy, synthesis and characterisation of potential solar energy dyes, utilisation of CO2, public engagement of science and promoting women in science.