Leslie studied architecture and urban planning at Berlin Technical University and Pontifícia Universidad Católica de Chile, graduating with a thesis on indicators of sustainable urban development. Since then she has worked as coordinator of various research projects on urban sustainability, with special focus on energy efficient urban design and the introduction of renewable energy technologies in cities. She currently coordinates the Leibniz Research Alliance on Energy Transitions, an alliance of 20 interdisciplinary research institutes investigating the transition to a low-carbon economy based on emissions-free energy systems. Her PhD research bridges her interest in urban development with a strong concern for pathways towards environmental sustainability.