Meet Ewan
Educator
I've been an educator for more than twenty years now. I got my PhD in neuroscience from the University of Virginia, then spent 8 years at the Yale School of Medicine. For the past fourteen years I've been a professor of Behavioral Neuroscience, University at Albany.
At UAlbany, my lab and I have won more than thirty awards for excellence in student mentoring, student research, and outstanding performance: that includes being the sole recipient of the student-voted 'Outstanding Faculty' award. I'm proud of our 100% placement record for students aiming to go to medical school or graduate school - I have been fortunate to work with some truly outstanding undergraduates, and I will use that experience to help prepare BCSD students for college and beyond.
I was first selected as 'Most Influential Professor' by the UAlbany Honors College in 2010 and have been re-awarded that honor every year since. I've taught at every level from freshman undergraduate through senior graduate student; I've also worked with high school science programs from several of the local school districts to mentor their student research. I have first-hand knowledge of what it takes to support excellence in teaching, and will use that on the Board.
Scientist
I've been a scientist for almost thirty years. My expertise includes brain and mental health (especially the impact of lifestyle factors such as diet and sleep) as well as the neuroscience of learning: these are areas that are directly relevant to student performance and support, where the Board and BCSD will benefit from increased knowledge.
I've led multi-million dollar projects and published my work in top scientific journals; my work has been cited more than six thousand times, helping to build further advances in understanding. I've been an expert advisor on science and funding to the US government and to the governments of the UK, EU, Australia, and several others: I have the expertise and credibility to lead improvements in our students' mental health, well-being, and learning. I also bring a data-driven approach: trained to make decisions guided by facts without any preconceptions or biases.
A priority of mine is to increase the opportunity for student research, especially at the high school level: there are current programs that can serve as a foundation, but we can do more to promote this and give students the chance to develop skills and recognition.
Parent
We've been residents of BCSD for almost fifteen years, and parents of BC students for all of that time: like many of you, we moved to Bethlehem in large part because of the excellent schools and we've been very happy with that choice.
Our elder son graduated from BCHS in 2020: he's now a junior at Cornell, leading their rocketry and computer chip design research teams - and he's also been extremely helpful putting this website together! Thanks, Aidan! BCSD gave him the opportunities for well-rounded excellence that I want to maintain and increase: a world finalist with Odyssey of the Mind, cellist with the Philharmonic orchestra, varsity XC athlete, without sacrificing academic rigor.
Our younger son, Keiran, is a high school freshman and similarly fully immersed - also a Symphony cellist and XC/tennis athlete, he's just been elected as a captain of the tennis team and we've loved watching his art talent flourish with support from the HS art program. We're really, really proud of both of them 😀.
Truly: the BC schools have been great to our family, and I'd like to help keep them that way for others. One thing I'd like to consider adding here: the possibility of a student representative on the School Board. There's no better way to get insight into issues affecting students than to give them a direct voice.
As a parent I've also filled multiple volunteer roles at every level of the BC system - from organising Pi Day at Glenmont Elementary to speaking about the path to medical school at BCHS. Serving on the Board is the next step I'm taking.
Community Member
The strength of BCSD comes in part from the Bethlehem community (and the wider Capital District). On the Board, I'll aim to strengthen links to the community wherever possible. A few examples of community involvement:
In addition to coaching children's soccer, I've played over-40 soccer for several years now - that's the Bethlehem team pictured. Exercise is good for the brain across the whole lifespan and even more important as we age! [I've also played bridge for more than 40 years now - mental exercise also helps the brain.]
I've given several community talks on different aspects of neuroscience, including to the 'Science on Tap' series; at local libraries; to local community groups (e.g. to the Bach Cello Suites group on music and the brain); and as a science advocate to local elected officials.
I have been a recurrent panelist on WAMC's Roundtable NPR radio program, recruited to offer a scientific perspective.
I've recently been mentoring local HS students on the path to college, through the 518ElevatED organisation (see the Links page).
I was a member of Bethlehem Opportunities Unlimited for several years, and hope to be so again as time permits.
My team and I are three-time winners of the BCSD adult spelling bee!
The different roles - educator, scientist, parent, community member - are all part of what I will bring to the Board. From each of those perspectives, I'll aim to ensure that we're paying appropriate attention to student well-being and striving for excellence.
