Lewis Alison Emslie

Lewis is the dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Cape Town (UCT), where she previously served as head of the Department of Chemical Engineering. She is the first woman to hold the position of dean in the faculty's history. She holds a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and a PhD in chemical engineering, all from the University of Cape Town. During her academic career, she has supervised more than 200 master’s, PhD, and honours students. In addition, she is the co-author of more 160 peer-reviewed scientific articles. Lewis is a registered professional engineer (PrEng), an international member of the US National Academy of Engineering—one of only five African members—and a Fellow of both the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and the UCT College of Fellows.Her many accolades include the Distinguished Woman Scientist award from South Africa’s Ministry of Science and Technology (receive in 2012 and 2015), the Rockefeller Fellowship (2018), and the Water Research Commission Legends Award (2021).