IBMS Podcast

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/

In April's IBMSPod, we caught up with Biomedical Science Course Leader and Senior Lecturer at Staffordshire University Ian Davies.

In an episode focusing on Biomedical Science education, we ask how has the pandemic affected the next generation of Biomedical Scientists?

As an academic Biomedical Scientist, Ian discusses his passion for education and how education has been impacted during a year of lockdowns.

In LabLife, we were joined by Biomedical Science students at the University of Salford Caitlin Owen & Nadia Patel, who created a new magazine during the lockdown.

Also features IBMS News - a round-up of all the latest headlines from the IBMS.

For more info and resources visit our blog: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/education-in-the-pandemic-listen-now-to-ibmspod/

Show notes:

Episode outline:

0:26 - IBMS News

2:40 - Feature Interview with academic Biomedical Scientist Ian Davies

2:40 - Section 1: Ian's Biomed journey: From Lab to Lecture theatre

15:15 - Section 2: Covid & Education: What's the past year been like as an educator? How has the pandemic interfered with the learning experience? Where now for Biomedical Science Education?

28:25: Quick-fire round

30:10: Lablife with Caitlin Owen & Nadia Patel - two students from the University of Salford who co-edit the university's new Biomedicine magazine.

Links to further resources:

IBMS News:

Celebrate Biomedical Science Day 2021:

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

David Wells annouced as new CEO:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/announcing-our-new-ceo/

Applications open for this year's Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) awards:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/apply-for-the-cso-awards-2021/

New sustainable wraps for IBMS magazine:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/new-sustainable-wraps-for-ibms-magazine/

Lablife with Caitlin Owen & Nadia Patel:

Latest edition of the magazine:

https://issuu.com/bioscientistmagazine/docs/bioscientist_magazine_issue_1_final-5

IBMS News Story:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/ibms-e-students-inspired-by-biomedical-scientist-magazine/

Blog on the Biomedicine Magazine:

https://www.salford.ac.uk/news/salford-students-launch-online-biomedicine-magazine

How can biomedical scientists manage worry, anxiety and stress and boost mental wellbeing in the midst of the pandemic?

What mental health support has been put in place and how do we ensure these services are maintained and expanded post-pandemic?

Dr Jo Horne is a consultant Biomedical Scientist in Gastrointestinal & Hepatobiliary Histopathology at University Hospital Southampton Trust. She has been helping colleagues cope with the pressures that the pandemic has put on their mental health. Jo discusses the issues biomedical scientists have faced during COVID-19, her role alongside her main work as a ‘safe space practitioner' delivering psychological first aid and if the increased emphasis on supporting mental wellbeing during Covid-19 will lead to permanent change post-pandemic. Jo also chats about her scientific work, talking us through the dissection and reporting process in Histopathology and answers a question about encouraging women into STEM in light of International Women’s Day on the 8th March and faces our quick-fire round.

In LabLife, we caught up with Cherie Beckett, Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology. She chatted to us about her work outside the lab hosting the IBMS Twitter chat and volunteering to show a child who has leukaemia around her laboratory for the charity Harvey’s Gang.

Also features IBMS news – a roundup of all the latest developments from the IBMS. Presented by IBMS Communications officer Ella Fornari.

Show Notes:

Episode Outline:

0:15 – IBMS News

2:25 – Interview with Jo Horne

2:25 - Section 1: Working in Histopathology - including what is gastrointestinal pathology and why is it so important; what samples are dissected and how; what are the most unusual samples processed and what research does she do.

10:56 – Section 2: Health and Well-being in the pandemic including Jo’s personal journey throughout Covid, her role as safe-space practitioner, issues arising, systemic change post-pandemic and positive things to come out of the pandemic.

24:17 – Section 3: How can we encourage girls & women into STEM careers?

25:50 – Quick-fire round: Female Science Hero, Favourite Pathogen, First thing she'll do after lockdown

28:06 – LabLife with Cherie Beckett

Links to further resources:

IBMS News:

Bookings open for Congress 2022:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/congress-2022-think-ahead-book-now/

IBMS awards three prestigious members’ honours:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/our-newest-honorary-fellow-and-life-members/

NHS pilots “do-it-at-home” cervical screenings

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/home-cervical-screenings/

New Member Support Video:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/ibms-member-support-video/

Interviews with Jo & Cherie:

Interview with Jo’s female science hero, Elaine Cloutman-Green: https://microbiologysociety.org/membership/meet-our-members/focus-area-clinical-health-related-microbiology/an-interview-with-dr-elaine-cloutman-green.html

Jo Horne twitter: https://twitter.com/hornej13?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

IBMS Chat Hashtag (every first Wednesday of the month, 8-9pm):

https://twitter.com/hashtag/IBMSChat?src=hashtag_click&f=live

Cherie wins Amazing Individual Award:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/cherie-beckett-wins-amazing/

Cherie Beckett twitter: https://twitter.com/CDBeckett?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

In February’s edition of IBMS POD, we delve into the fascinating specialism of Toxicology.

Nigel Brown is a consultant clinical toxicologist whose career spans four decades. He gives us an insight into his role, which includes undertaking routine drug screening to confirm a doctors’ hypothesis about what a patient might have ingested; monitoring alcohol poisoning, where urgent action is required to prevent death from anti-freeze consumption and assisting coroners with post-mortems.

Nigel also discusses how he works closely with the police and social services in cases where people are arrested or tragically, where children need to be taken into care.

In this month's LabLife, Plymouth-based Biomedical Scientist and Triathlete Jayanta Brahma opens-up about how the tragic loss of his best friend inspired him to complete record-breaking fitness challenges.

In his quest to raise awareness and funds for the Brain Tumour Charity, MIND & Sarcoma UK, he’s rock-climbed the height of Olympus Mons on Mars - the solar’s systems tallest mountain and completed the Iron Man Triathlon – a mammoth 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bicycle ride and 26.22-mile run.

Also features IBMS News- a round-up of all the latest headlines from the IBMS.

Show Notes:

Episode outline:

0:14 - IBMS News

1:45 - Interview with Special Guest Nigel Brown

17:47 - Quick-fire question round

20:21 - LabLife with Jayanta Brahma

Links to further resources:

IBMS News:

Nominations open for Biomedical Scientist of the Year:

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

President Allan Wilson receives position as visiting professor:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/ibms-president-receives-position-as-visiting-professor/

New IBMS Mentoring Scheme:

https://ibms.onpld.com/

Science Council launches 'Glowing CPD' campaign:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/science-council-launches-glowing-cpd-campaign/

LabLife:

Jayanta Brahma scales height of Olympus Mons:

https://thebiomedicalscientist.net/science/scientist-scales-solar-systems-tallest-mountain

Iron Man 2018 for Eddie:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/spengler

In the next outing of IBMS POD, we caught up with Debra Padgett – the IBMS’s new president-elect and infection sciences operational manager in North Cumbria. In the midst of a winter lockdown where a new, highly transmissible COVID-19 variant is challenging Biomedical Scientists more than ever, Debra sets out her aims and priorities for the year ahead as well how her team have adapted to maintain diagnostic services for patients. She also tells us all about her career journey to date and how she progressed to a senior level in the profession.

In LabLife, Great Ormond Street Biomedical Scientist and Science comedian Kip Heath chats to Jordan about her stand-up shows, as well her experience volunteering in Sierra Leone during the Ebola epidemic. She also explains how her upcoming PhD project will help to fight Sepsis and combat AMR.

Also features IBMS News- a round-up of all the latest headlines from the IBMS.

Show Notes:

IBMS News:

• Debra Padgett announced as President-elect:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/announcing-our-new-president-elect-2021/

• Chief Executive Jill Rodney to retire:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/announcement-jill-rodney-is-retiring-as-ceo-at-ibms/

• Letter of support for Key Workers:

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/letter-of-support-for-key-workers/

• Nominations open for Council Elections 2021:

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

LabLife:

• Kip Heath – Stand Up for Healthcare Science!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNABuOAvaf0&ab_channel=KipHeath

• PhD project: GOSH researchers funded to fight Sepsis

https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/ibms-researchers-awarded-16000-to-tackle-amr/

In the second instalment of the all-new IBMSpod, leading virologist and Fellow Dr Sarah Pitt chats to Rob & Jordan about her experience appearing on national TV highlighting the work of Biomedical Scientists throughout the pandemic. Later, she explains the science behind the new COVID-19 vaccines.

Meanwhile, Helen is joined by Gogglebox star and Biomedical Scientist Umar Siddiqui for an insight into his working day and experience filming with his family on the show.

Also features IBMS News - an round up of all the latest headlines from the IBMS.

Show note links:

Sarah Pitt's survey: https://brightonpsychology.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4THAim5YenZgm2N

A meeting with Lord Bethall: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/a-meeting-with-lord-bethell/

Rapid Testing Statement: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/sars-cov-2-rapid-testing-options/

Guidance on membership renewals: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/renew-your-membership-for-2021/

PGD Consultation: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/nhs-consultation-for-administering-medicines-closes-soon/

IBMS President Presents to Parliamentary Committee: www.ibms.org/resources/news/ibm…mentary-committee/

Register for The Biomedical Scientist rerun: live.thebiomedicalscientist.net.

In Episode 1 of the all-new IBMSpod Rob and Jordan chat to AH Biomedical Scientist of the Year Dr Guy Orchard. In a wide-ranging conversation, Guy discussed how a trip to the local delicatessen inspired him to develop two new pathology products patented for clinical use. Guy also talked about his motivations and passions for the field and how science can be like painting.

In this month's social media questions, members seek career progression tips, as well as inquire about COVID-19 and his recent AH award.

In LabLife, Helen is joined by beer brewing Biomedical Scientist Emma Victory for an insight into her diagnostic labwork with parasites and her passion for real ale, brewing and judging competitions.

Also features IBMS News - an round up of all the latest headlines from the IBMS.

Show note links:

IBMS Members win at AHA Awards: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/ibms-members-win-at-2020-ahawards/

The Biomedical Scientist Live: https://live.thebiomedicalscientist.net/

NHS Consultation for Administering Medicines: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/nhs-england-consultation-for-administering-medicines/

IBMS Fellows Recognised on Queen’s Honours List: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/ibms-fellows-recognised-on-queens-honours-list/

IBMS President Presents to Parliamentary Committee: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/ibms-president-presents-to-parliamentary-committee/

National Pathology Week: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/national-pathology-week-2020/

The IBMS Biopod is a monthly podcast for members. Each episode features experts from the field discussing their work and talking about the latest developments. This month's guest is IBMS President Allan Wilson.

*Please note: this interview was done through Zoom and a couple of small portions of the dialogue are broken