In Episode 16, IBMS chief executive David Wells joined us for a wide-ranging conversation covering his work establishing the '29 pathology networks and leading the laboratory response during the pandemic as Head of Pathology at NHS England, to promoting the profession as chief executive. We also talked about his career journey from practice to senior management.

Later, Dr Martin Khechara spoke to Lorna Cleverly, Head of Animal Health Monitoring at Fera Science, for a fascinating LabLife.

In Episode 15, we are joined by Digital Pathology expert Professor Darren Treanor to explore this field at the forefront of healthcare. Darren discussed how digital pathological applications, such as virtual microscopy, have made it easier for scientists to share data and improved diagnostics. Later, he talked about the National Pathology Imaging Co-operative (NPIC) - a new project which aims to deploy Artificial intelligence across the NHS in order to transform screening and diagnostics beyond the limits of current practice.

In LabLife, we were joined by IBMS Fellow and intrepid traveller Sue Alexander to talk about her travel adventures from Antarctica to The Galapagos.

In our special festive episode of IBMS pod, we were joined by Yan Tsou - Quality control scientist at the Francis Crick Institute and Great British Bakeoff star. Yan told us about her work on cell lines in the Crick's cell services team, her research into latent TB and her journey on the Great British Bakeoff Series 8, before she took part in our Christmas baking quiz: 'What's on your plate?'.

Following this, Reverend Christopher J Lee, a former biomedical scientist in Haematology and ordained Anglican priest in the Church of Wales joined us for a special edition of LabLife.

In Episode 13, we heard the fascinating career story of Biomedical Scientist in Haematology turned famous comic and actor Dave Spikey.

Dave is best known for his stand-up comedy tours, starring in sitcom Phoenix Nights alongside Peter Kay and Paddy McGuinness, presenting Bullseye, Chain Letters and being a team captain on 8 out of 10 Cats.

Before he moved over to comedy, Dave led a successful 30-year career in Biomedical Science – rising the ranks to become Chief Biomedical Scientist in Haematology at The Royal Bolton Hospital.

Dave recollects his journey into Biomedical Science from school pupil to trainee medical laboratory technician to senior biomedical scientist. He discussed the various roles he held and the innovations in the field he brought about.

We then challenged Dave, who is a former Mastermind champion to our very own Haematology quiz. He then took us through his move from Biomedical Science into comedy, writing, film production and television - from a local hospital pantomime performance to a national stand-up tour, starring in iconic sitcoms and hosting television game shows.

In the Quick-Fire round, Dave shared his most funny memory from his days back in the lab!

Then in LabLife, Dr Martin Khechara is joined by Andrologist Sheryl Homa, who discussed the importance of this marginalised, but vital specialism. She also tells us about her recent appearance on a BBC documentary with comedian Rhod Gilbert.

Episode 12 marks one year of the IBMS Pod. We were joined by expert in Genomic Medicine Deborah Lakeland. In LabLife, our guest was trainee in critical care science Charlotte Felton.

As we enter a new era of personalised medicine, how can biomedical scientists integrate the necessary genomic tests into their services?

Genomic medicine uses information about a patient’s genetic makeup to improve their care and overall clinical outcome across a range of diseases. As the NHS implements genomics into the NHS, we’ll enter a new paradigm of cutting-edge diagnostics which will see new personalised treatments tailored to the individual patient routinely available.

Deborah Lakeland is a cancer genomics project manager at Lancashire & South Cumbria teaching. Hospitals. Deborah has over 30 years of experience as a biomedical scientist across several specialities including Immunology, Haematology and Molecular Pathology . She moved over to genomics to assist the 100,000 genome project.

Deborah takes us through what progress has been made so far in the field of genomic medicine, including the government’s 100,000 genome project and her role within it. She then discusses how genomic medicine has transformed therapeutics for cancer patients before outlining the major challenges biomedical scientists face in order to fully integrate genomics medicine into their practice. Later, Deborah is asked to outline how large scale testing of coronavirus patient genomes helped us to identify variant strains of SARS-CoV2 and ultimately helped us bring the pandemic under control.

We also discussed Deborah’s outreach and media work including being recognised as a Chief Scientific Officer Women in Science and Engineering Fellow for 2019/2020.

In the Quick-Fire round, Rob is curious if Deborah prefers tea over coffee, casual wear over smart wear and ab-sailing over bungee jumping!

IBMS Licentiate Charlotte Felton is a trainee clinical scientist in critical care science. Charlotte Felton explained why she felt it was so important to participate in the public engagement of biomedical science, and the initiatives she’s set-up to promote the profession and teach younger generations about careers in Biomedical science including the popular ‘inspire BMS’ Twitter account.

She also tells us about why she is transitioning from a band 5 role in haematology to a new role in critical care science and what the role encompasses.

As Covid restrictions are lifted and services return to normal, we're revisiting the issue of workplace pressure, mental health and wellbeing across healthcare laboratories.

In September's episode, IBMS fellow and Specialist Scientific Lead in clinical chemistry Azuma Kalu joined us. The pandemic has increased the burden on pathology services to the detriment of some of our member's mental health and wellbeing, inspiring Azuma to take the lead in highlighting the topic across the profession.

Azuma discussed how the pandemic has changed the nature of the workplace and reminds us of the issues biomedical scientists, healthcare and support staff have faced during the pandemic. He then talked us through the progress we've made in recent months to improve our members' mental health and overall quality of working lives. In doing so, he emphasised the benefits senior staff will reap when returning to the workplace for both them and more junior team members.

Azuma also talks to us about how his PhD in cancer genomics could lead to a test for the recurrence of prostate cancer for those in remission.

This month's LabLife explores the issues Biomedical Science students have faced throughout the pandemic. Special guest host Martin Khechara interviews IBMS eStudent Steven Schnabel. He's been on placement in an NHS laboratory throughout the pandemic while also conducting public engagement on behalf of the profession. He takes us through his personal experience and the challenges students have faced and provides some tips to students returning to campus and face-to-face learning in the new academic year.

Martin Khechara is an IBMS fellow and senior lecturer in Microbiology at Wolverhampton University and associate professor for public engagement. He recently completed the British Media Associations's media placement with the Naked Scientists podcast.

IBMSpod Episode 10 – Sustainability in the lab with Martin Farley and Sheri Scott

With COP26 in Glasgow only a few months away, it’s increasingly important to address sustainability and environmental impacts of our laboratories.

In August’s episode Sustainability Labs Advisor for UCL and King’s, Martin Farley talks to us about sustainability in the lab and the work he has done setting up LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework) to help prioritise environmentally conscious laboratory procedures. Martin was the UK's (and Europe’s) first full-time sustainable laboratory specialist and was awarded the Green Gown in 2015 from the Sustainability Exchange.

Martin discusses how sustainable lab practices are good for both science and cost saving and shares some top tips for making the lab more eco-friendly.

In August’s LabLife, we caught up with IBMS Fellow Sheri Scott, a biochemist & senior lecturer in biomedical science at Nottingham Trent University. Sheri talked through the sustainability issues biomedical scientists are facing and what actions they can take to reduce their impact on the climate and environment. Sheri also talks about the benefits of becoming a verifier and assessor for IBMS qualifications.

Shownotes to follow.

Following the release of a breakthrough paper paving the way for personalised treatments and precision in cardiovascular medicine, we are joined by its lead author, Dr Rameen Shakur, a clinical scientist in cardiology and IBMS Fellow.

Rameen spoke to us about the recent sudden cardiac arrest of footballer Christian Erikson and its underlying cause – a set of conditions known as genetic cardiomyopathie and how to manage risk; as well his recent breakthrough paper which paves the way for personalised treatments of inherited heart disorders. :

July’s LabLife features senior Biomedical Scientist at Great Ormond Street Hospital Francis Yongblah. He talks about being part of the London Gay Symphony Orchestra and fighting for LGBT representation and equality in the laboratory.

Shownotes

IBMS News Links:

BMS Day roundup: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/biomedical-science-day-2021-round-up/

Competitions: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/announcing-the-2021-attheheartofhealthcare-competition-winners/

New Hononary Fellows: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/our-newest-honorary-fellows/

New Council Members: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/meet-your-new-council-members-2021/

Dr Rameen Shakur:

Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41525-021-00204-w

Story: https://www.sanger.ac.uk/news_item/computer-method-to-help-predict-outcomes-and-tailor-treatments-for-patients-with-inherited-heart-diseases/

Recent blog piece: https://sangerinstitute.blog/2021/06/18/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-matter/

Research profile: https://www.cardiovascular.cam.ac.uk/directory/rameen-shakur

LabLife with Francis Yongblah:

LGSO: http://lgso.org.uk/author/francis/

Guest blog: https://girlymicrobiologist.com/2021/06/28/guest-blog-from-francis-yongblah-kip-heath-and-anthony-de-souza-healthcare-scientists-celebrating-pride-month-and-why-visibility-is-still-so-important/

Pride in London story: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/pride-in-london/

Precision amr: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/infection-immunity/people/professor-judith-breuer/precision-amr

Rise of the resistance: https://www.ibms.org/resources/events/rise-of-the-resistance-festival/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHealthcareS1

As the profession gets ready to celebrate Biomedical Science Day, June's episode showcases the excellent achievements and inspiring work of three outstanding Biomedical Scientists.

Manchester-based Zonya Jeffrey is a senior Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology and a national member of IBMS council. She co-founded the children's charity 'Child Aid Tanzania' to support mothers and babies in communities affected by Malaria and HIV. In a wide-ranging interview, Zonya tells us all about the project in Tanzania and how she set up the charity. We also talk about her work fighting Cholera in Sierra Leone, her objectives on IBMS council, her work with the BBC and more!

Meanwhile, award-winning Husband and Wife Biomedical Scientist duo Akinola and Olubukola Adewunmi join Ella on LabLife. They discuss their projects outside of the lab educating the public about Sickle Cell Disease and encouraging blood donations from BAME communities - for which they won a National BAME Health & Care Award.

For more visit the pod blog: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/microbiology-and-overseas-aid-ibmspod-ep8/

Show notes

Episode outline:

0:20 – IBMS News

2:06 – Feature Interview with Zonya Jeffrey

2:30 - Part 1: Microbiology in Manchester – including an introduction to Zonya and her work, typical day, most memorable outbreaks, training & education and AMR in the lab.

10:44 – Part 2: Overseas Aid in Tanzania & Sierra Leone - including work alongside Swiss Tropical Institute as Laboratory Technologist, setting-up charity Child Aid Tanzania, discussion of Malaria & HIV situation and possibility for solutions in Tanzania and World Health Organisation Cholera project in Sierra Leone.

22:28 - Part 3: Impact of the pandemic, Council and BBC - including IBMS Council goals, the impact of the pandemic on her lab and Science Exhibitor with the BBC.

28:30 – Quick-fire Round: most important measure to prevent Covid transmission; largest threat to global health aside from Covid-19; the first thing she will do when leaving quarantine hotel.

30:02 – LabLife with Akinola and Olubukola Adewunmi

IBMS News:

Biomedical Science Day 2021 - Thursday 24th June:

https://www.ibms.org/biomedical-science-day/biomedical-science-day-2021/

Dr Sarah Pitt - Biomedical Scientist of the Year:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/biomedical-scientist-of-the-year-2021-sp/

Science Council CPD Awards return for 2021:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/cpd-awards-return-for-2021/

Husband & Wife biomedical scientists win National BAME Health & Care Award:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/husband-and-wife-biomedical-scientists-win-national-bame-health/

Public health and infectious disease expert at Oxford University Helene-Mari van der Westhuizen joins us from a quarantine hotel to discuss the use of facemasks as lockdown lifts.

In LabLife, Guernsey-based Healthcare assistant Zoe Andrews spoke to us about the pandemic and end of lockdown in Guernsey.

For detailed episode commentary and further resources please visit our show blog: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/facemasks-and-lockdown-lifting-ibmspod-ep7/

Shownotes:

Episode outline

0:52 – IBMS News

2:23 – Feature Interview with Helene-Mari van der Westhuizen

2:25 - Section 1: Containing TB transmission in South Africa and Hotel Quarantine – including an introduction to Helene-Mari, her work reducing TB transmission in rural South Africa, her experience isolating in an airport quarantine hotel.

12:47 – Section 2: Face masks and infection control measures: journey to the mainstream & post-pandemic norms - including how face masks have taken off in the UK; the most effective face masks, face mask use in the future and the CO2 gorillas.

28:36 – Quick-fire round:

1. The most important measure to prevent Covid transmission.

2. The largest threat to global health aside from Covid-19

3. The first thing Helene-Mari will do when she leaves quarantine hotel.

28:06 – LabLife with Zoe Andrews

IBMS News links

Council Elections 2021: Voting now open:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/elections-2021-vote-for-your-council/

IBMS response to BBC Panorama:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/ibms-response-to-bbc-panorama/

IBMS History Committee publishes in medical journal:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/ibms-history-committee-publishes-in-medical-journal/

Join Support Hub sessions in May:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/support-hub-sessions-in-may/