EDI Advisory Panel

This Panel was established to advise the Edinburgh Neuroscience Board and Leadership Team to ensure that Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) principles are embedded in all of our initiatives and activities.

EN EDI Advisory Panel Terms of Reference Aug 2025 (146.85 KB / PDF)

Contact the EDI Advisory Panel

Members of the Panel

Cathy Abbott

I am co-director of Edinburgh Neuroscience. I have a long standing involvement in EDI, starting from leading the Athena SWAN team for the medical school. I had two children after becoming a PI. My research involves a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder

Katharine Dobson

I’m a postdoctoral researcher investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying epilepsy and neurodevelopmental conditions. Outside of work, I’m a mum to two young boys, and so I am particularly passionate about promoting EDI initiatives that support anyone balancing a scientific career with family life.

Rana Fetit

Rana Fetit is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Institute for Regeneration and Repair (IRR). She is a Neuroscientist who is interested in modelling human conditions using stem cells and 3D-organoid models. As a Muslim Arab and a mother of two, Rana breaks through barriers of gender, culture and work/family-life demands. She is a strong advocate for public engagement and promotes science to young children and adults, especially young girls and women, using arts, workshops and public speaking. As a member of the EDI panel at Edinburgh Neuroscience, Rana is keen on recognizing and addressing systemic barriers and disparities to create more inclusive, welcoming and respectful environments. She hopes her background and experience can offer a different and insightful perspective to this panel.

Sofia De La Fuente Garcia

Dr. Sofia de la Fuente García is a Research Fellow at the Edinburgh Centre for Medical Informatics, currently working on the EU Horizon-funded project INT-ACT: Intangible Cultural Heritage: Bridging the Past, Present and Future. Her academic background includes a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, an MSc in Methodology for Health and Behavioural Sciences, and a PhD on AI and speech as a digital marker for cognitive health. Sofia has extensive expertise in developing and applying speech and language technologies for mental and cognitive health monitoring, including the integration of cultural narratives and personal storytelling, in the context of neurodegeneration, intangible cultural heritage, the COVID-19 lockdown, adult attachment in consensual-nonmonogamy and psychedelic research. She excited to play an active role in this ever-relevant initiative as an EDI advisory panel member.

Malcolm MacLeod

Malcolm is Professor of Neurology and Translational Neurosciences with a clinical practice in Neurology at NHS Forth Valley. He was the University's lead for Research Improvement and Research Integrity from 2020 to 2024, and is committed to cultivating a research culture where every researcher can realise their maximum potential. He was an author on the Lancet Series on Research Waste and is a keen runner.

Marja Main

Marja is Edinburgh Neuroscience Scientific Strategy Coordinator and a strong believer in the power of diverse teams. Everyone has something different to contribute! She is excited about the potential of this panel to improve Edinburgh Neuroscience’s activities and events for everyone. Outside of work, she is a cat-mum/butler and a keen reader and occasional runner.

Cristina Martinez Gonzalez

I am a Research Fellow at the Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain and manage the Light-Sheet Microscopy Facility (LSM3D). Edinburgh Neuroscience is a diverse and vibrant community, and I am committed to using my experience and background to positively impact and drive meaningful change within the research culture.
I am deeply motivated to be part of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) panel because I believe in the importance of visibility for fostering a more inclusive and supportive academic environment, irrespective of background or perceived differences. My goal is to enhance inclusion by promoting visibility for diverse leadership and recognising historically excluded groups, such as technical professionals, thereby driving meaningful change in everyday research practices.

Arish Mudra Rakshasa-Loots

I am a Research Fellow in the Hub for Metabolic Psychiatry, and my primary research interest is HIV mental health. I have worked on projects and networks in support of social justice across several countries and institutions. I am strongly motivated to help dismantle barriers for people from a wide range of backgrounds to access careers in neuroscience.

Fiona Ramage

I’m a postdoctoral researcher in translational neuroscience. As someone neurodivergent, disabled, chronically ill, and LGBTQIA+, I have lived experience of the obstacles people can face in academic environments not designed with inclusivity in mind. Alongside my research, I am involved in several initiatives across the University to improve research culture. I applied to be an EDI advisor to bring this perspective to Edinburgh Neuroscience, advocating for a more inclusive environment, and to learn how EDI principles can be applied more broadly to positively shape research culture at the University.

Charlotte Repton

My name is Dr. Charlotte Repton and I am a late-diagnosed autistic researcher in neurodevelopmental disorders. I am interested in rare developmental disorders of the brain, how a brain is made from stem cells, and why variations in a few key genes can lead to such a different developmental pathway. I’m proud to sit at the intersection of forwarding neurodiversity inclusion and molecular research; I hope I can bring context to discussions with people from these two different spheres.

Carole Torsney

Carole Torsney is a PI based in the Institute for Neuroscience and Cardiovascular Research and is a member of the Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain. Her labs main research focus is investigation of altered tactile and pain processing that occurs in chronic pain conditions and neurodevelopmental disorders. This somatosensory plasticity research spans from synaptic analysis to whole animal behaviour and has revealed sex differences in these systems. She has previously been involved in EDI activities (previously Disability & Neurodiversity Lead Biomedical Sciences Opportunities Committee) and looks forward to participating in this panel to support all aspects of EDI in our diverse community.