Scientist is 'Woman of the Future'

Dr Kylie Vincent receives her award

Kylie Vincent from Oxford University’s Department of Chemistry has won this year’s Science and Technology Woman of the Future award.

Created by Pinky Lilani OBE in 2006 with Caspian Media, the Women of the Future awards celebrate the next generation of British female talent, aged 35 and under, across business, the professions, the arts, media and science and technology.

The award winners were announced on the evening of Wednesday 16 November at the Women of the Future Awards ceremony held at the London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square.

Kylie Vincent is an RCUK Fellow and lecturer in Chemistry leading a research team developing energy technologies inspired by microbes that live on hydrogen, and has patented applications of enzymes for chemical synthesis. She was shortlisted for the Science and Technology Woman of the Future award alongside fellow Oxford University scientist Emily Flashman, a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow looking at how oxygen-sensing systems in our bodies work and how these systems are damaged in cancer, and candidates from Centrica, Shell, and Arup.

‘I'm delighted and honoured to receive this award,’ Vincent said. ‘It is particularly encouraging because it recognises not only my academic achievements, but also the outreach work I am doing in schools to inspire young people about futures in science and my work towards commercialising research. I hope that this award will help to inspire more young women in science and technology to pursue their full potential.’

Pinky Lilani OBE said: ‘Kylie and Emily are a credit to the city of Oxford. Britain’s long-term economic, cultural and societal prosperity is becoming increasingly dependent on the talent and ability of our young women who are leading the way in arts, business. technology and public service sectors.

‘Awarding and recognising Britain’s best women is crucial because not only does it champion and give such exceptional women a platform for future successes but it also enables us to showcase them as role models for the next generation. It’s important to show young women that they can achieve their goals and should not be deterred because of age or gender.’

Graham van’t Hoff, chairman of Shell UK, said: ‘It is so incredibly important that we take these opportunities to recognise the female leaders of tomorrow and reward them for the dedication, passion and drive for their work. As a sponsor, we are proud to be involved with such an inspirational force for good which champions the UK’s brightest lights.’