Top scientist Kylie Vincent is celebrating after winning a prestigious award for groundbreaking research into green fuel and her work in schools.

The 35-year-old lecturer and senior research fellow at Oxford University was named Woman of the Future in Science and Technology, beating strong competition from entrants working for major corporations.

Dr Vincent has established and patented ways of examining how enzymes feed off hydrogen in a bid to use that knowledge to develop the gas as a future renewable energy source.

She is also working with her 16-strong team of students and researchers on how to use enzymes to clean up drug and chemical manufacturing.

Dr Vincent said: “I was delighted to win, especially as I come from an academic background and these sort of awards normally go to people in business.”

As well as her work in the labs, Dr Vincent visits schools to teach pupils about careers leading from studying chemistry.

She said: “A lot of students don’t realise the sort of careers that are available when you take a chemistry degree.

“These can range from forensic science to drug development. Chemists also have numeracy and team working skills that make them very well equipped for consulting and financial jobs.”

Dr Vincent was born in Norfolk but emigrated with her family as a child to Australia where she gained a PhD at Melbourne University.

She came to Oxford University as a researcher in the chemistry department 10 years ago.

The Women of the Future awards judges described Dr Vincent as “a highly aspirational and self-motivated individual who demonstrated a true passion for her subject.”