Meet our committee
The School of Chemistry's Athena SWAN self-assessment team is responsible for writing and submitting the School's Athena SWAN applications, as well as implementing our Athena SWAN action plan.
The committee is formed of volunteers from a variety of roles around the School, including academics at various career stages, students and professional and support staff. Find out more about our committee members below.
Dr Drew Thomson
Chair of School SAT
Lecturer in Chemical Biology
Drew started his lectureship in 2016. Before this he was a long-term postdoc/research fellow in Bristol. He is the father of two school-age children.
Dr Nicola Bell
Early Career Affiliate
Group Coordinator (Cronin Group)
Nicola is currently Group Coordinator & Senior Researcher for the Cronin Group at UofG. She has an interest in catalysis and ligand design with a background in the chemistry of the f-block. Nicola is now working towards an independent academic career to explore these interests.
Dr Rebecca Clarke
Postdoctoral Researcher Representative
Rebecca completed her undergraduate and PhD studies at Newcastle University, before taking up a Research Associate role at the University of Glasgow. Her research focusses on the synthesis, characterisation and applications of fluorescent molecules.
Dr Emily Draper
Early Career Representative
Lecturer in Chemical Robotics and Automation of Chemical Experiments
Emily is currently a Lecturer in Chemistry working on self-assembled organic materials for electronic devices. She had her first child in January 2019 and is now enjoying navigating an academic career and being a mother.
Dr Joy Farnaby
Early Career Representative
Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry
Joy is a Lecturer in Inorganic Chemistry and has been at Glasgow since 2016. She is the Early Career Researcher representative for Chemistry at College level and is a member of the School’s Research Committee.
Dr Neil Findlay
Postdoctoral Researcher Representative
Research Fellow / Project Manager
Neil is an experienced PDR with two young children who has recently moved into two, part-time administration roles. While still spending half his time as a project manager in Chemistry, he also supports Research staff across the wider College. Neil acts as one of the PDR representatives on the SAT committee.
Professor Ross Forgan
Professor of Supramolecular and Materials Chemistry and Royal Society University Research Fellow
Ross has been in the School since 2011, with experience of transitioning from a PDRA to an externally funded independent fellow to a permanent member of academic staff. He is the father of a two year old girl.
Professor David Jackson
Disability Coordinator
Professor
Professor David Jackson joined the University of Glasgow in 2000 following a successful career in ICI plc. His area of expertise is heterogeneous catalysis and he is the Disability Coordinator for the school.
Lynn Kearns
Administrative Staff Representative
Head of School Administration
Lynn is Head of School Administration (HoSA) and representative of Professional Services staff on the team. She has responsibility for HR and Finance in the school as well as smooth running of all administrative functions. Lynn has 2 school-age children, one of whom suffers from a serious medical condition, and appreciates the benefits of finding a work life balance.
Sarah Memarzadeh
PhD Student Representative
3rd year PhD student
I am a 3rd year PhD student in the France group. My project is medicinal chemistry based and centered around inducing selective degradation of a protein in order to prevent formation of cancer metastases.
Email: s.memarzadeh.1@research.gla.ac.uk
Dr Ciorsdaidh Watts
Learning and Teaching Representative
Lecturer
Ciorsdaidh is a teaching and scholarship focussed lecturer in organic chemistry. Her background is in cancer research and medicinal chemistry and she has a particular interest in technology-enhanced learning. Ciorsdaidh lives with her husband and their 1-year old daughter in Milngavie, at the start of the West Highland Way.
Dylan Wilkinson
PhD Student Representative
2nd year PhD student
Dylan is currently in the second year of his PhD in the Cooke Group. Dylan's research focuses on the synthesis of organic materials for electronic applications.
Email: d.wilkinson.2@research.gla.ac.uk
Dr Holly Yu
Technical Staff Representative
Research Technician
Holly is currently a research technician in the School, having started out here as a teaching technician. Holly is also responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the School’s Athena SWAN website.