Each of the foundation’s trustees is appointed because of their commitment to The Neurosciences Foundation. The foundation’s trustees play a role in ensuring the charity fulfills its mission of helping to fund early-stage neurological research in Scotland. They ensure that this is done in a way that is legal, ethical, and effective.
Decisions are made at formal board meetings, collectively and with a shared responsibility to support those decisions.
Their experience and skills enable the foundation’s trustees to undertake the responsibilities of trusteeship of The Neurosciences Foundation. The charity benefits from having trustees with expertise in clinical, academic, and cancer and medical research. In addition, some of the foundation’s trustees have expertise in finances, IT, journalism, and public services.
Our trustees are accountable to donors, beneficiaries, the public, and regulators for the charity’s performance and use of funds.
To ensure that the charity is run effectively and efficiently, the foundation’s trustees regularly review the charity’s activities and plans. Giving their time willingly and for free, the foundation’s trustees work collaboratively and share responsibilites.
Dr Sarah Deans
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Sarah has a PhD in Physical Activity for Health, and a Masters in Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise. With more than 25 years experience, Sarah worked as a clinician and academic in the fields of prosthetics and orthotics. At the University of Strathclyde for 21 years, she taught rehabilitation of those with limb absence, and professional skills for healthcare. Much of Sarah's research has been published, and she has enjoyed international and national speaking engagements.
Now she currently devotes time to her husband and two children, The Neurosciences Foundation, property development, and gardening. Also trying to be more physically active, Sarah walks Jimmy the dog!
Dr Andrew Crawford
Trustee
Andrew currently works at the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman as head of Improvement, Standards and Engagement. He has a background in education and quality assurance within local authorities. To benefit service users, Andrew has always had a keen interest in developing public services. Keeping fit and travelling are amongst Andrew's interests.
Dr Kristin Flegal
Trustee
Kristin has held the post of Research Development Manager for Glasgow's Imaging Centre of Excellence (ICE) since 2023. She works to enhance access and usage of their imaging research facilities including Scotland's only 7T clinical MRI scanner.
At the University of Michigan Kristin gained a PhD in Psychology with a concentration in Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience. In 2015, Kristin completed a postdoctoral fellowship in fMRI at the University of California, Davis. Moving to the University of Glasgow Kristin took up the role of Lead Scientist of SINAPSE (https://www.sinapse.ac.uk/).
From 2021 until 2023, Kristin worked as a Senior Project Manager in Glasgow's UKRI-funded Living Laboratory for Precision Medicine programme. Here she was responsible for the delivery of three Advanced Imaging collaborative projects with academic, clinical, and industry partners.
Amanda Garden
Trustee
Mandy worked in IT for over 40 years. Latterly she worked for the South East Scotland Cancer Network, which is based in NHS Lothian. Since her retirement Mandy has continued her interest in IT by developing WordPress websites for family, friends, and charities. Her interest in brain cancer research arose because she has lost two close family members to brain tumours.
Henry Gildie
Trustee
Henry is a chartered certified accountant and is a director of HLG Associates (EK) Limited. A fellow member of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants, Henry has operated within industry over the last 20 years.
James Byam Shaw
Trustee
James is a recently retired BBC News correspondent and TV reporter. Now he is active on social media – a regular on Instagram, as he is a photographer and videographer. He has also started a regular ‘blog’ on the channel Substack.
Prof Dave Wyper
Trustee and Lead Clinical Trustee
Dave is a medical physicist with a particular interest in brain imaging. Having now retired and was Director of SINAPSE (https://www.sinapse.ac.uk/) from 2010 till 2017. Previously he was Director of the NHS Department of Clinical Physics and Bioengineering, based in Glasgow. His most recent focus is on public understanding of science.
To relax Dave gets on his bicycle. For many years he was a road runner. The pounding has now been reduced by getting on his Paralane Focus and riding sedately round hills south of Glasgow. A piper in Williamwood Pipe Band, Dave is still invited to many weddings.
