Lynn Gladden facts for kids

Dame Lynn Faith Gladden was born on July 30, 1961. She is a very important scientist who works as the Shell Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Cambridge in the UK. From 2010 to 2016, she was a Pro-vice-chancellor for research at the university. This means she helped lead and guide all the research projects happening there.

In 2015, Lynn Gladden was chosen to be a member of the National Academy of Engineering in the United States. This was because of her amazing work in chemical reactor engineering, especially how she used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in new ways.

From October 2018 to June 2023, she was the leader of the EPSRC. This is a big organization in the UK that helps fund and support science and engineering research.

Early Life and Education

Lynn Gladden was born on July 30, 1961. Her parents are John Montague Gladden and Sheila Faith Deverell. She went to Heathfield School in Harrow.

She studied Chemical Physics at the University of Bristol and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. After that, she went to Trinity College, Cambridge, where she earned her PhD in physical chemistry in 1987. A PhD is a very high university degree that shows someone is an expert in their field. She also has a special teaching qualification called a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) in Physics from the University of Oxford.

Career and Research Work

Lynn Gladden started her career at the University of Cambridge in 1987 as a lecturer. This means she taught university students. She became a reader in 1995, which is a step up from a lecturer, and then a full professor in 1999.

She was the head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Cambridge until 2010. She also served as a Pro-vice-chancellor from 2010 to 2016. Since 1999, she has been a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. This means she is a senior member of the college.

Professor Gladden is the main researcher at the university's magnetic resonance research centre (MRRC). Here, she uses special MRI techniques to study how chemicals react and move. This helps engineers design better chemical processes. She also leads the judging panel for the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, which is a very important award for engineers around the world. In 2015, she also became a non-executive director at British Land, a large property company.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Lynn Gladden has received many important awards and honors for her work. She is a Chartered Chemist and a Chartered Engineer, which means she is recognized as a highly skilled professional in both chemistry and engineering. She is also a Fellow of several important groups, including the Institution of Chemical Engineers, the Institute of Physics (FInstP), and the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC).

Here are some of her key awards:

• In 1995, she received the Beilby Medal and Prize.
• In 2001, she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to chemistry.
• Also in 2001, she was awarded the Tilden Prize by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
• In 2003, she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng).
• In 2004, she became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), which is a very high honor for scientists.
• In 2009, she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to chemical engineering.
• In 2014, she received the Royal Society Bakerian Medal, another prestigious award.
• In 2015, she was elected a foreign member of the US National Academy of Engineering.
• In 2016, she was named one of the Top 50 Influential Women in Engineering by the Women's Engineering Society.

In 2020, Lynn Gladden was given the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). This is a very high honor, similar to a knighthood, and it was given to her for her important work in both university and industry research in chemical engineering.