Lesley Rhodes

Lesley Rhodes is a Professor of Dermatology and Photobiology at the University of Manchester and an Honorary Consultant Dermatologist at Salford Royal Hospital. She directs the Photobiology Unit and leads the Photodermatoses Research Programme. Her work focuses on photodermatoses, vitamin D synthesis, and photoprotection strategies.

Education: BSc from University College London, MB BS from King's College London, and an MD from the University of Liverpool. Clinical training included roles at Royal Liverpool University Hospitals and the Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine in Boston.

Research interests encompass solar UV effects, mechanisms of photosensitivity disorders, and the balance between sunlight's health benefits and risks. Key contributions include defining vitamin D synthesis requirements and advancing photoprotective measures like afamelanotide.

Major awards include the European Society for Photobiology Medal (2019) and the Ian Magnus Memorial Lecture (2022). She advises international bodies like the United Nations Environment Programme and the UK Department of Health.

Supervised 26 postgraduate researchers (7 current) and secured over £11M in grants from NIHR, Cancer Research UK, and others. Collaborations span Europe, USA, and Australasia.