Professor Melanie Leng, a Chief Scientist at the British Geological Survey (BGS) in Keyworth, has been awarded an MBE by HRH Prince Charles at an investiture held at Buckingham Palace.
She was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2019 and received the honour in recognition of her outstanding services to environmental research.
Professor Leng is the Chief Scientist for Environmental Change, Adaptation and Resilience at the British Geological Survey (BGS), with headquarters based in Keyworth.
She has dedicated her career to working collaboratively with UK higher education institutes and international partners to deliver research, develop methods and train the next generation of geoscientists.
Speaking about her achievement, she said: “It was such an incredible day. It was a privilege to meet Prince Charles and staff at the Palace, and they were very interested in my research on environmental change and human impact. I’m really honoured to have been be nominated for the award by my colleagues.”
In addition to her main role at BGS, Melanie is Director for the Centre for Environmental Geochemistry, a collaboration between BGS and the University of Nottingham. She also leads the National Environmental Isotope Facility that includes laboratories across the UK.
Her work at the BGS now encompasses its new Science Strategy, Gateway to the Earth, which sets out to help achieve United Nations Strategic Development Goals, those such as clean water and sanitation, sustainable cities and communities and climate action.
She added: “Climate change is forcing the increasing population to adapt to a warmer world, severe weather conditions and is putting enormous pressures on our resources.
“My current challenge is to lead research on developing ways we can adapt to environmental change and seeking to reduce the vulnerability of human infrastructure and life. These goals are especially important in developing countries, which will bear the brunt of our climate emergency.”
The British Geological Survey today congratulated Melanie for her hard work, dedication and years of service in environmental change science.