ABOUT
FRONTIER SCIENCE SCOTLAND
About
Frontier Science Scotland
Frontier Science Scotland (FSS) is an independent, not-for-profit specialised contract research organisation (CRO) based in the Scottish Highlands. Our rural location belies our strong global links, not least with our Frontier Science affiliates in the USA and Greece.
Since 2002 we’ve been collaborating with researchers from pharmaceutical companies, academia and health services to ensure important clinical research is carried out with integrity. Our unique position as a not-for-profit partner means we are able to maintain independence and focus on the integrity of the data and analyses we deliver.
Our team of experts in data management, biostatistics and quality are highly experienced and committed, providing our clients with input into the design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials. They regularly contribute to peer-reviewed medical and statistical journals and present at leading academic and industry conferences and meetings. Over and above this core work, FSS is focused on advancing the education of its employees, the wider research community and the general public. Several of our employees serve as volunteers on national and international panels related to our work, such as trial steering committees, funding review panels, human research ethics committees and independent data monitoring committees.
FSS is committed to playing its part in the Fair Work Convention’s vision that by 2025, people in Scotland will have a world-leading working life where fair work drives success, wellbeing and prosperity for individuals, businesses, organisations and society. We are therefore developing a workplace that is built on the five key dimensions of Fair Work: effective voice, opportunity, security, fulfilment and respect.
Our Mission
Our mission is to use a collaborative approach to provide effective, agile solutions and expertise in the design, conduct and analysis of clinical trials and research; advancing the knowledge of clinical trials, research and statistical science for public benefit.
OUR VISION
To be a globally recognised centre of excellence for clinical trial services, advancing the education of clinical trials methodology and statistical science.
Our Values
Integrity
We are honest, ethical and trustworthy in our work and relationships with colleagues, clients and collaborators. Thanks to clear leadership and the exacting quality standards that are a given in our industry, we all know what’s expected of us in this regard. We pride ourselves on being a dependable partner who places the integrity of clinical research at the core of what we do.
Collaboration
We are passionate about collaborative working and believe it’s essential to the success and sustainability of the clinical research ecosystem. We regularly demonstrate this model through our strong external partnerships as well as through our supportive internal team environment. As well as supporting each other internally, we collaborate closely with our customers and partners too: we believe that seamless collaboration is the secret to success in clinical trials.
Customer-centred
We’ve been building transparent and effective relationships with leading research organisations for over 20 years, so it goes without saying that we put our customers’ needs first, but our razor-sharp focus on meeting our customers’ expectations is worth reinforcing. We are diligent, detail-oriented, and we understand the importance of reinforcing our high-quality work with consistent and continual communication.
Continuous learning
Advancing the education and learning of our employees and of the public has been heart FSS’s mission since our inception. Our passion to help evolve the clinical research field means we are always learning, developing and sharing in the interest of the public good. It’s why we’re widely published in prestigious peer-reviewed journals, actively contribute to academic and industry conferences and volunteer on national panels related to our work.
MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Our leadership team at Frontier Science Scotland blends substantial subject matter expertise with the business, strategic and people skills required to achieve our vision. Our senior leadership team alone has over 150 years of combined experience.
Cherie McGibbon
HEAD OF BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Julie Jackson
Head of Quality
Darren Gibson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Robin McConnell
Head of Data Management
Eric Riley
HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT
Shona Fielding
HEAD OF BIOSTATISTICS
About Darren
Darren Gibson joined FSS in January 2022 with over 20 years of international experience in the health, medical research and innovation sectors. Immediately prior to joining Frontier Science Scotland, Darren spent three years as Director of Research and Innovation at the Department of Health in Western Australia (WA), where he facilitated, supported and promoted high-quality research and innovation.
Darren graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Medicinal Chemistry from Dundee University and obtained a PhD in Biological Chemistry from the University of St Andrews. He also holds an LLM in Medical Law and Ethics from De Montfort University and an MBA from the Australian Institute of Management.
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About Eric
Eric Riley has over 20 years of project management experience in the UK and US healthcare sectors. Before joining FSS, he was director of a research group managing psychiatric clinical research trials for psychopharmacological therapies for Dartmouth College, New Hampshire, and its affiliated medical centre, Dartmouth-Hitchcock. He has also worked extensively in community mental health in Northern Ireland and is currently a Mental Health First Aider.
As Head of Development, Eric’s primary focus is helping FSS develop and strengthen collaborative relationships with our partners across industry, academia and government. He is also responsible for our continuous improvement in project management and has a key role in FSS’s community engagement and education work.
Eric is passionate about personal development and is currently undertaking an MBA. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree, numerous post-graduate qualifications in health, social care and management and is internationally published.
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About Shona
Dr Shona Fielding has over 20 years of experience as a medical statistician. She joined Frontier Science from the University of Aberdeen, where she worked as a senior lecturer in medical statistics, undertaking statistical analysis for a variety of projects in several disease areas.
Shona oversees the Biostatistics department at FSS, providing our customers with statistics and programming expertise and support. She provides overall strategic direction for her team as well as contributing to the wider management of the organisation.
Shona graduated with First Class Honours in Mathematics Statistics at the University of Edinburgh. She followed that with an MSc in Biometry (with distinction) from the University of Reading and a PhD from the University of Aberdeen.
About Julie
Julie joined FSS in 2013 and now leads the Quality Assurance and Technical Writing teams in the quality department, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and standards. She has over 20 years of quality and compliance experience working in GxP environments across the pharmaceutical industry, medical devices, drug supply chain, academic research and the NHS.
About Robin
Robin joined FSS in 2010 and is responsible for all data management activities at FSS and is specifically involved in oversight of the FSS role in the study management of Phase 3 global regulatory breast cancer trials, and various international research studies where data management is done by FSS.
Prior to working for FSS, Robin spent 6 years as a project manager for a Global CRO’s Laboratory division, providing centralised lab facilities for the pharmaceutical industry.
About Cherie
Cherie McGibbon has been an integral part of the FSS team since 2010. She plays a key role in the management team, helping to shape the future direction of the business. Cherie has over 25 years of experience in administration and management in HR, financial planning and facilities management.
As Head of Business Operations, Cherie leads a team with finance, payroll, HR and facility responsibilities. She is passionate about providing the entire FSS team with a workplace culture and terms and conditions that support their health and wellbeing. Cherie is a Mental Health First Aider.
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Board of Trustees
Chris Robertson
Chris is a Professor of Public Health Epidemiology in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. Chris is the Chair of our Board of Trustees.
Darren Gibson
Darren Gibson joined FSS in January 2022 with over 20 years of international experience in the health, medical research and innovation sectors. Immediately prior to joining Frontier Science Scotland, Darren spent three years as Director of Research and Innovation at the Department of Health in Western Australia (WA), where he facilitated, supported and promoted high-quality research and innovation.
Heather MacLeod
Heather is a businesswoman with nearly 40 years’ experience in the life science and other sectors; having built several companies, including a biotechnology company and clinical research organisation, from the ground up. She also extensive experience in the charity sector as a Chair, CEO and Non-Exec Director.
Richard Gelber
Richard is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, in the Department of Data Science, Biostatistics division at Harvard School of Public Health and in the Department of Biostatistical Science at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston.
Bjoern Schelter
Professor Schelter, CEO of GT Diagnostics (UK) Ltd and Chief Analytics Officer of TauRx Therapeutics, is also affiliated with the University of Aberdeen as Professor for Applied Mathematics. Relying on more than 20 years of experience in the health care sector, he led research teams since 2006. The focus of his work is on developing data-science based technologies to advance understanding of diseases and ultimately help millions of patients.
Debbie Smart
Debbie is a senior business leader with 11 years of experience in the life science sector, currently working within Medical Devices. She has extensive experience in governance roles within Research and Development, Health, Safety & Environment, Business Strategy, Human Resources, and Information Technology.
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