A series of podcasts featuring experts from the field discussing their research and talking about the latest developments in biomedical science 

IBMS PodCast

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.

Episode 12 - Genomic Medicine & Public Engagement with Deborah Lakeland and Charlotte Felton

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.

S3 Episode 4: How to publish your work

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.

S3 Episode 5: Addiction Awareness

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.

S3 Episode 6: Mentorship

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 Mehwish Khalid, Michelle Payne and Rachel Cleaton, representing the Pathology Practice Educator profession.

S3 Episode 7: Practice Educators

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.

S3 Episode 8: Dog bites, infection and morphology

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.

S3 Episode 13: Delivering with drones

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 Pathology Department, Royal Centre for Defence Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

This is a snippet from our IBMS Chat in November, where the rest of the audio was lost.

S3 Episode 14: Working in Partnership

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

S4 Episode 1: Three IBMS Presidents

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.

S4 Episode 2: Diagnostic Cytopathology with Leonie Wheeldon

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



S4 Episode 3: Alzheimer's Disease with Martyna Matuszyk

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 science. 

S4 Episode 4: Biomedical Scientist of the Year 2025 with Craig Baker

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 fits her content creation in with her day job.  

S4 Episode 5: Training and Social Media with Laura Taylor

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 challenges and opportunities of doing the tours, how she got her start in biomedical science, and what winning at the IBMS Awards means to her and her team.

S4 Episode 6: Harvey's Lab Tours with Gayle Johnstone

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 leadership.


S4 Episode 7: Leadership and Management with Andrea Johnson

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.

S4 Episode 8: Non-Malignant Haematology with Dr Richard Burka

The Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) is the leading professional body for scientists, support staff and students in the field of biomedical science.

Our new podcast, IBMSPOD explores the contemporary field of Biomedical Science through a series of thought-provoking interviews with leading experts from across the profession.

Each episode will feature a in-depth interview with our special Biomedical Scientist guest. The conversation will range from current affairs to the intricacies of diagnostic laboratory work, research & innovation, teaching, writing, to involvement with the IBMS, media work; as well as motivations & passions for the profession.

Hosted by editor of the IBMS's monthly magazine 'The Biomedical Scientist' Rob Dabrowski.

Episode 12 - Genomic Medicine & Public Engagement with Deborah Lakeland and Charlotte Felton

IBMS Podcast

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