Dr. Melanie-Jayne R. Howes is a Senior Research Leader at the Department of Trait Diversity and Function, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK. She is also a Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London. She earned her BPharm (1st Class Hons) and PhD from King’s College London. Dr. Howes' research is focused on investigating the chemistry and bioactive constituents of plants and fungi to understand the scientific basis for their uses, especially as medicines, in order to facilitate drug discovery. Her research also includes scientific studies on edible plants, seeking to explore their uses as food and to understand how they may benefit human health, such as, for example, their potential role in reducing dementia risk. She is a member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry.