Our Team
Bhavna Tailor
CEO
Bhavna is the CEO and one of the founders of Stargardt’s Connected. Bhavna's son was diagnosed with Stargardt's in 2015 at the age of seven. After the initial shock, she was keen to set up a Stargardt's patient group with the aim to create a supportive community, as well as raising awareness and funds for research and support. Bhavna has presented globally and sits on a number of national and international advisory groups for Inherited Retinal Disease research projects. She has been awarded the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award for recognition for her work with Stargardt’s Connected. You can read more of her story here.
Andi Skilton
Trustee (Chair)
Andi is the Chair and one of the founders of Stargard's Connected. Andi has a background in genetics and rare diseases and has worked in the health research sector for nearly 20 years across industry, higher education and the public sector. Andi supports research organisations in engaging and collaborating with public and patient audiences to design and deliver research, and disseminate the findings. Andi is passionate about working with patient communities to ensure research is relevant, acceptable, and provides real-world impact for people.
Professor Michel Michaelides
Medical Advisor for Stargardt's Connected
Michel is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital in the departments of Medical Retina, Genetics and Paediatric Ophthalmology; and is a Professor of Ophthalmology at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. You can read more about Michel here.
Professor Frans P. M. Cremers
Medical Advisor for Stargardt's Connected
Frans is Professor of Ophthalmogenetics in the Department of Human Genetics in the Radboudumc in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. You can read more about Frans here..
Hannah Dunbar PhD
Low Vision Technology Advisor
Hannah is a Senior Low Vision Optometrist at Moorfields Eye Hospital and Senior Research Associate at UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. Her clinical and research interests include age-related macular degeneration, retinal and non-retinal inherited eye conditions and patients with complex needs.
Toby Evans
Trustee
Toby was diagnosed with Stargardt’s in his mid-teens. Toby currently works at the National Audit Office as a chartered accountant. You can read more of his story here.
Robert McCann
Trustee
Robert was diagnosed with Stargardt’s in 1981. Robert has worked as an equipment centre coordinator at the Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind “SRSB” since March 2013. You can read more of his story here.
Rea Mattocks
Trustee
Rea is a qualified social worker and has worked in health and social care, most recently as a Director of Social Services for a County Council.
Louise Kearney
Trustee
Louise has 25 years experience in the field of clinical research and has been focussing on rare disease for the last eight years. She also is a mum of two teenage girls, one of which has additional needs, and experience dealing with her local authority in order to have support services put in place. She hopes to bring knowledge learned from both these parts of her life in her role as trustee.
Marina Leite
Trustee
Marina has Stargardt's and is from Brazil. She is based in the UK where she works for a social enterprise called Diversity & Ability, and is chair of the Retina International Youth Council. You can read more of her story here.
Rosie Davis
Engagement and Operations Coordinator
Rosie is the Engagement and Operations Coordinator and provides support to the community by running important events such as our Zoom sessions, managing social media and helping with day-to-day operations to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Paul Appleyard
Stargardt's Advocate
Paul was diagnosed with Stargardt's at the age of 11. You can read more of his story here.
Katriona Taylor
Charity Ambassador
Katriona was diagnosed with Stargardt's at the age of eight. Katriona is a jazz singer, vocal coach, voiceover artist and radio presenter. You can read more of her story here.