Lesley Rhodes

Overview

Professor of Experimental Dermatology, Honorary Consultant Dermatologist, Director of the Photobiology Unit.

Biography

Lesley E. Rhodes is Professor of Experimental Dermatology, Director of the Photobiology Unit and Honorary Consultant Dermatologist at the University of Manchester and Salford Royal Hospital, Manchester. She is Associate Lead of the Dermatology Theme and Leader of the Photodermatoses Research Programme, Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester.

Lesley obtained her medical degree at Kings College & Kings College Hospital Medical School, London and her clinical and research training in Dermatology at Royal Liverpool University Hospitals and University of Liverpool, and Wellman Laboratories of Photomedicine, Boston, USA. She directs a supra-regional diagnostic and treatment service for patients with photosensitivity disorders from a wide area of the UK and photodynamic therapy for skin cancer treatment. 

Her research programme focuses on the mechanisms of visible and ultraviolet radiation effects on the skin, including inflammation, vitamin D synthesis, photosensitivity disorders, the development of photoprotective agents including dietary and hormonal (aMSH analogue) measures, and photodynamic therapy. She has >170 publications with >130 original research manuscripts and >40 commentaries, reviews and book chapters.  Research funding includes BBSRC, Cancer Research UK, Association for International Cancer Research, The Wellcome Trust, Association for Medical Research, British Skin Foundation, Department of Health and the European Union.

Current appointments include Immediate Past President, Director of Education & Training, European Society for Photobiology; Board, European Society for Photodermatology; Board USA Photomedicine Society; Board member, NICE Public Health Advisory Committee: Sunlight exposures - benefits & risks; Board member, Public Health England Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation; Co-Editor, RSC Comprehensive Book Series in the Photosciences; Emeritus Editor Photoderm, Photoimmunol, Photomed; Editorial Board, Br J Dermatol.

Previously she was President, European Society for Photobiology; Lead for Epidemiology, Education and Prevention, NCRI Melanoma Clinical Studies Group; Leader, Dermatological Sciences Research Group, University of Manchester; Chair, UK Skin Cancer Working Party; Chair, British Photodermatology Group and Associate Editor, Photochem Photobiol Sci.