Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer (FRSE, FIChemE, FRSC, FRSA) is Associate Principal (Global Sustainability) and Director of the Research Centre for Carbon Solutions (RCCS) at Heriot-Wat University.

She has held academic appointments at the University of Kentucky (1997-1998), Pennsylvania State University (1998-2004) and University of Nottingham (2005-2012). She joined Heriot-Watt University in 2015 as the first Robert Buchan Chair in Sustainable Engineering and has been Director of the cross-university Energy Academy and Head of the Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, and more recently Assistant Deputy Principal (Research and Innovation).

She is Director of RCCS that comprises >50 researchers and an active research portfolio of >£17m. RCCS is a world leading engineering centre delivering innovation for the wider deployment of low-carbon energy systems required for meeting net-zero targets.

She has over 450 publications, holds leading positions in professional societies/editorial boards and has received numerous international prizes and awards, 2019 Scottish Women Award - Services to Science and Technology, 2019 Honorary Doctorate by TU Delft, 2018 SRUK/CERU Merit Award, 2013 Hong-Kong University Mong Distinguished Fellowship, 2011 RSC ESED Early Career Award, 2009 Philip Leverhulme Prize, 2005 US Dep. of Energy Award for Innovative Development, 1997 Ritchie Prize, 1996 Glenn Award- Fuel Chemistry American Chemical Society, 1993 ICI Chemical & Polymers Group Andersonian Centenary Prize. Her research portfolio includes as PI/CI projects worth ~ £35m, and a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Award.

In her role as Assistant Deputy Principal (R&I), her key strategic responsibilities included leading the development of university wide initiatives (UK, Dubai & Malaysia) to strengthening intercampus research activities.

She has recently taken up the role of Associate Principal for Global Sustainability, providing leadership for the University’s approach to sustainability across our global community.