IBMS Podcast

Episode 12 features an in-depth conversation with Lucy Lawrence, who started her career working as a biomedical scientist in haematology but now works as a science editor. She talks to Rob about authenticity, tackling disinformation, the importance of communicating science to the general public and social media. You can find more about Lucy's work here: www. LinkedIn.com/in/lucylawrence

Episode 11 features an in-depth conversation with Stephen Mortlock, who is semi-retired and works as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist at Frimley Park Hospital. Stephen has written several articles about the history of biomedical science. He talks to Rob about his career, which has seen him work in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and the USA. The discussion with Rob touches on Legionnaires' disease, earth...

Episode 10 features an in-depth conversation with Dr Jonathan Tyrrell, who is a Lecturer of Biomedical Sciences & Medical Microbiology at Swansea University He talks to Rob about his IBMS Award-winning Superbugs project, which aims to improve schoolchildren in Key Stages 2 and 3 and their families' knowledge of the microbial world.

Episode 9 features an in-depth conversation with Dr Phil Bryant, who is an Associate Tutor in Cellular Pathology in Cardiff. He talks to Rob his long career in biomedical science which has seen sixty years of innovation.

Episode 8 features an in-depth conversation with Dr Richard Burka, who is an Academic Clinical Lecturer and Haematology Registrar in Birmingham. He talks to Rob about anti-coagulant reversal agents and the importance of randomised trials.

Episode 7 features an in-depth conversation with Andrea Johnson, who works at Wye Valley NHS Trust as a Cellular Pathology and Microbiology Manager. She received the IBMS Award 2025 for Biomedical Science Leader of the Year. She talks to Rob about Andrea managing a microbiology department, despite that not being her area of expertise, the importance of listening and her democratic style of leaders...

Episode 6 features an in-depth conversation with Gayle Johnstone, who works at Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist. She and her team won the IBMS Award 2025 for Harvey’s Lab Tour of the Year. Gayle was also awarded the title of Biomedical Science Champion at the IBMS Awards 2025 for her work championing Harvey's Lab Tours. She talks to Rob about the challenge...

Episode 5 features an in-depth conversation with Laura Taylor aka Techingonscience, who works in histology at Harrogate Hospital. Laura talks to Rob about the challenges and opportunities of working in a small hospital and her work in social media to raise awareness of careers in biomedical science and LGBTQI+ issues. Rob talks to her about how she grew her Instagram following to 40k and how she f...

Episode 4 features an in-depth conversation with Craig Baker, who was named the Advancing Healthcare Awards winner for Biomedical Scientist of the Year 2025. Craig is the Cellular Pathology and Mortuary Service Manager at Hywel Dda University Health Board. Rob talks to him about modernising the service, what winning the award means to him and his team, and the role of AI tools in biomedical scienc...

In Episode 3 we take a look at Alzheimer's disease. Martyna Matuszyk from the Alzheimer’s Society talks to Rob about the process of getting a diagnosis of dementia and Dementia Action Week (which takes place from 19 - 25 May 2025). To find out more about Dementia Action Week visit https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-action-week

In Episode 2 we take a look at Diagnostic Cytopathology. Leonie Wheeldon returns to the podcast to discuss a ground breaking fine aspiration needle study and how geography and infrastructure can impact service provision. Leonie was the Advancing Healthcare Awards 2024 Biomedical Scientist of the Year and is a Consultant Biomedical Scientist at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.

In episode 1 of season 4 Rob speaks with President Joanna Andrew, President-Elect Sarah Pitt and Previous Debra Padgett about what it means to be IBMS President, the future of the profession, AI, and what it means for the profession to have elected three women presidents in a row. #IIWD2025 #AccelerateAction

In episode 14, we take a look at Working in Partnership. We will hear from Rohini Patel from University Hospitals Birmingham and Capt. Francis Opoku from the Centre of Defence Pathology about their IBMS award-winning work in biomedical science. Rohini Patel is an advanced biomedical scientist and the Group Training Lead at UHB Pathology. Capt. Francis Opoku is the Officer in Charge of Clinical Pat...

In episode 13, we take a look at Innovation in Biomedical Science. We will hear from Jonathan Boxshall from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust - Pathology and Transfusion and IBMS Award winner for Best Use of Research, Innovation or Technologyabout his work with drones.

In episode 12, we take a look at Sustainability in Biomedical Science. We will hear from IBMS Award winners Jennifer Collins, Joanne Hall, and, Carmel Abbott from The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - Integrated Laboratory Medicine about their award winning work.

In episode 11, we take a look at Leadership and Innovation in Biomedical Science. We will hear from Manjinder Virk from Bioma and Saghar Missaghian-Cully from North West London Pathology about their award-winning work in biomedical science. Manjinder is a senior biomedical scientist, founder and director of Bioma, and recently won an Asian Woman of Achievement Award for science. Saghar is the mana...

In episode 10, we take a look at Rapid On-Site Evaluation in Cytopathology. We will hear from Leonie Wheeldon at Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and Dr Tony Maddox, as well as Rob from the Biomedical Scientist, about their work in Rapid On-Site Evaluation in cytopathology. Leonie Wheeldon is a Consultant Biomedical Scientist at RCHT and Tony is a Consultant cellular pathologist at West Hertford...

In episode 9, Rob discusses Point-Of-Care Testing with Rakhee Surti (POCT Project Manager at Milton Keynes University Hospital and Tony Cambridge (Lead Biomedical Scientist in Pathology Management at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust). The speakers outline current issues related to Point-Of-Care Testing in the UK.

In episode 8, Rob discusses dog bites, infection and morphology with Nicki Close-Lawrence FIBMS CSci the Principal Biomedical Scientist Advanced Practitioner in Morphology at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust.

Episode 7 of our podcast is hosted by IBMS Chief Executive David Wells, as he speaks with several of our members who are Pathology Practice Educators. Listen now to find out more about the ways in which practice educators form a vital link between the ward and the laboratory, and the key role played by this area of the profession in maintaining high quality patient care. Joining David Wells is Meh...

In episode 6 of The #IBMSChat Podcast, we discuss the IBMS Mentorship Programme. Listen now to hear from Chris Murray (co-founder and director of Perform Learn Develop, our mentorship platform), Anna Ikin and Lavanya Kanapathypilla, a mentor and mentee respectively who have taken part in our mentoring scheme.

In episode 5, Rob discusses Addiction Awareness with NHS Sheffield Teaching Hospitals' toxicology experts, Azuma Kalu, Edmund Rab and Mohammad Kanu. The speakers outline current issues related to drug use and dependence, and how NHS toxicology laboratories are doing their part to raise awareness of addiction in the UK.

In this episode of the #IBMSChat Podcast, Rob Dabrowski sits down with Cherie Beckett (Senior Biomedical Scientist at the Princess Alexandra Hospital) and Simon Hoggart (Journal Development Manager for the BJBS). The topic of discussion is how to get your work published with IBMS publications, namely, the BJBS and The Biomedical Scientist.

In our latest episode of the #IBMSChat Podcast, Rob gets together with Francis Yongblah and Jemma Shead from the IBMS EDI working group. This group aims to promote and champion equality, diversity and inclusion across all backgrounds. Francis is a laboratory manager and clinical scientist at the Great Ormond Street Hospital, and Jemma is a biomedical scientist with the Health Services Laboratories...

In episode two, we hear from Stuart Dawe-Long - Andrology Lead at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Clinical Scientist, and member of the Cytopathology Advisory Panel for the IBMS. He believes in a patient focussed service that can support the health and wellbeing of the patient. He is currently also training with the institute of psychosexual medicine. Listen now to hear Stuart and Rob...