Marianne Gilbert is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Materials at Loughborough University, United Kingdom. Marianne obtained a BSc in Applied Chemistry from Aston University, followed by 18 months at Dunlop Research Department. She then returned to Aston to study for a PhD in Polymer Chemistry which was awarded in 1970. Marianne became a Lecturer in the Institute of Polymer Technology and Materials Engineering at Loughborough in 1970 and was subsequently promoted to Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor. She spent two years as Acting Head of Department then six years as Head of Department from 1994 - 2000. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, and received that Institute's Swinburne Award. She retired at the end of 2013.