SITraN's donor-powered timeline of hope
A vision. A community. A decade of breakthroughs. See how donor support turned one Professor's ambition into a world-leading neuroscience research hub.
SITraN in brief
- Transforms laboratory breakthroughs into real-world treatments.
- MND, Parkinson's, dementia, stroke and multiple sclerosis are just some of the conditions being studied.
- Unique ‘Bench-to-bedside’ approach offers patients and their families the hope of a path toward a cure.
Explore how Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) grew from an ambitious idea into a global force in neuroscience — and how your support is shaping the breakthroughs ahead.
2008–2010: Making the vision a reality
Neuroscientist Professor Dame Pamela Shaw provided the vision, but it was Sheffield's donor community who made SITraN a reality. Gifts from individuals and organisations, as well as fundraising challenges, including sailing the Atlantic and trekking across the Antarctic, helped fund the new facility.
2017–2020: Funding a window into the human body
Together you helped to raise £2m to fund the Sheffield Scanner. Determined fundraisers even took on a 50-mile Big Walk challenge to help our researchers see inside the body like never before. This transformative tool has changed how we diagnose and track conditions like dementia and Parkinson’s, turning your support into real-time discovery.
2021–2026: Expanding neuroscience research
Building work is currently underway for a much-needed expansion that will double SITraN's teaching and research capabilities. This is only happening because of donor support! In total, over 27,000 gifts have been made to reach the £14m target; including sponsors backing the Big Walks in 2024 and 2025, and generous gifts from five individuals and charitable trusts who made gifts of over £1m.
2027 and beyond: Leading the way
Early next year, the next chapter of SITraN begins — thanks to you. The expansion isn’t just about more space; it’s about more breakthroughs. By funding facilities for discovery research, drug screening and clinical trials you will directly accelerate new treatments. Because of your commitment, Sheffield will continue to lead the way in neuroscience research, bringing the reality of life-changing therapies one step closer.
Over 20 years ago a lady with MND asked me what I would do with £20 million of funding for MND research. I didn’t think it was a serious question, but I described SITraN - a dedicated facility to bring together scientists, doctors and patients from all over the world under one roof with a shared ambition to improve the lives of people living with neurodegenerative diseases.
Dame Professor Pamela Shaw
Director of SITraN
Latest news: Fundraising success as University of Sheffield reaches £14m to further groundbreaking neuroscience research
The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) is celebrating as the total raised towards its much needed expansion hits £14 million. The appeal set out to ensure Sheffield’s pioneering neuroscience research continues to break new ground in our understanding and treatment of conditions such as MND, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer's.