The Board of the Society for Natural Sciences brings together representatives from universities across the UK, reflecting the Society’s growing and diverse membership beyond its 15 founding universities.
Chair
Dr Louise MacBrayne is Associate Dean for STEM tuition at the Open University and former Head of Natural Sciences at the Open University. She has a strong interest in the teaching and learning of interdisciplinary science and teaching and has a background in Chemistry and Health Sciences.
Treasurer
Dr Barbara Villa Marcos is Dr Barbara Villa Marcos is Associate Director of Natural Sciences and Admissions Tutor at the University of Nottingham. Her research background is in organometallic chemistry, developing asymmetric catalysts for the synthesis of chiral molecules, with teaching spanning organic chemistry and interdisciplinary approaches to real-world challenges.
Sub-Committee Chairs
Communications and External Relations
Kate Tape is Student Experience Manager for Natural Sciences at the University of Nottingham. She has a degree in Zoology.
Education and Pedagogy
Prof. Gretton is Professor of Science and Sustainability Education and Director of the University of Leicester’s Education Academy. Sarah did her PhD on the cellular biology of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) at the MRC Virology Unit. She was awarded a University Teaching Fellowship in 2014, and was a finalist for HE Bioscience Teacher of the Year and won the University of Leicester’s Teaching Excellence award in 2017. Her current research interests include sustainability, skills development and interdisciplinary science education.
Membership and Accreditation
Dr Susan Crennell is a Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry at the University of Bath, specialising in structural biology and enzyme function. As Accreditation Lead, she supports the quality and recognition of interdisciplinary Natural Sciences degree programmes across the UK.
Heads of Natural Sciences
Professor Geoff Nash is Head of Natural Sciences and an internationally recognised expert in advanced materials, mid-infrared optoelectronics and infrared spectroscopy, with experience spanning industry and academia. He led the development of Exeter’s flagship Natural Sciences degrees and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Physics.
All trustees can be contacted via the following email address:
Trustees: trustees@socnatsci.org
Professor Derek Raine
Professor Raine is the CEO of the Society for Natural Sciences also sitting a a trustee. He is Professor (Emeritus) and former director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Science at the University of Leicester. He is a mathematical physicist with interest in pedagogical research.
Professor Roddy Vann
Professor Vann is the treasurer of the Society for Natural Sciences also sitting as a trustee. He is a plasma physicist with research interests in tokamaks & microwaves.
Professor Geraint Thomas
Professor Thomas is Professor of Biochemistry and Programme Director for Natural Sciences at UCL. He has a particular interest in interdisciplinary research collaborations, working with scientists across the life and physical sciences.
Professor Nicky King
Professor Nicky King is Associate Dean for Education in CEMPS at the University of Exeter. Her areas of interest are interdisciplinary learning, bioinorganic chemistry, inorganic materials chemistry, student experience, widening participation and technology enhanced learning.
Dr Susan Crennell
As a Trustee of the Society for Natural Sciences, Dr Susan Crennell contributes to the Society’s strategic direction and governance, helping to advance its mission to support and promote Natural Sciences education and strengthen collaboration across the UK higher education sector.
Dr Tharin Blumenschein
Dr Blumenschein Tharin obtained a BSc in Molecular Sciences and a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of São Paulo (Brazil). Her interests in Structural Biology then took her to Canada, before moving to the UK. Research interests involve using NMR spectroscopy to investigate structural and dynamic properties of proteins.
Web Content and Data Manager
Professor Paul Roach is Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor at Loughborough University and Director of the Flagship Research Institute for Healthy Living. His interdisciplinary research spans biomaterials, interface science, neural engineering and clinically applied spectroscopy.
Web Content and Data Manager
Dr Jedd Bellamy-Carter is a University Teacher in Chemistry at Loughborough University. He teaches on both Chemistry and Natural Sciences programmes, where he also serves as their Visit Day and Induction coordinator. Having started his Natural Sciences journey as an MSci student at the University of Nottingham; Jedd has retained an interdisciplinary training through and tries to bring this into all of his teaching.
CEO
Professor Derek Raine is Professor (Emeritus) and former director of the Centre for Interdiscipinary Science at the University of Leicester. He is a mathematical physicist with interest in pedagogical research.