IBMS Congress 2025

Doyinsola Olajide

NHS Blood and Transplant, Molecular Diagnostics - H&I

No bio provided

Sarah Albon

Cellular Therapy Centre Director, Cambridge Cellular Therapies Laboratory, Cambridge University Hospitals Foundation Trust

Sarah graduated from the University of Nottingham with a First Class Honours Degree in Biology with specialisation in Immunology and Parasite Immunology. She began her career training as a Clinical Scientist in Immunology at the London Royal Free Hospital, and during the 3 year period gained a Masters Degree in Medical Immunology from the University of London. After a further year of experience in Immunology and Cell Therapy at Great Ormond Street and The Royal London, Sarah was awarded her HCPC Registration and moved into a Cell Therapy Research position at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health. Sarah spent 10 years at ICH, and during this time built a team of scientists manufacturing novel cell therapy products to GMP and facilitating the delivery of clinical trials for a range of conditions including ALL, PTLD and post-transplant immunodeficiency.

In November 2019, Sarah was appointed Director of the Cambridge Cellular Therapy Laboratory at Addenbrooke's Hospital, and despite the pandemic, over the past 2 years Sarah has made it her goal to rebuild the department and accelerate it towards the very cutting edge of Cell Therapy in the UK.

Anna Mamwell

Patient and Public Involvement Lead, NHS Blood and Transplant

After suddenly being diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia in 2015, Anna unexpectedly spent months in hospital undergoing intense treatment. As a survivor of this disease, Anna found herself reevaluating her career and life goals which ultimately led her to her current role as patient advocate and public involvement specialist in healthcare research and more recently for NHS Blood and Transplant. As part of this role, Anna engages with many people with diverse backgrounds, all with varied experiences.

As Patient and Public Involvement Lead for NHS Blood and Transplant’s Transfusion 2024 strategy, Anna works alongside her colleagues to ensure insights are shared and voices of patients and the public are considered at every step, across all themes.

Over the past 9 years, Anna’s work has included various projects, working closely with Blood Cancer UK, Cancer Research UK, MacMillan, NHS England, University College London, Oxford University, Imperial College London, Pharma and more.

Anna is passionate about making a difference, working within a team who share a common goal and living life to the full.

Calvin Cambell

Community Engagement Officer, NHS Blood and Transplant

Calvin Campbell is a Community Engagement Officer for NHS Blood and Transplant and has been affected by sickle cell disorder his whole life. He has spent most of his life in hospital but thanks to regular red cell exchanges, can still enjoy work and family life.

Black people are ten times more likely to have the Ro subtype than people from any other ethnic background and it is important to match Ro patients with Ro donors. However, the shortage of black blood donors makes it harder to find the best matched blood for black patients. Calvin is passionate about encouraging more black donors to give blood to save not only his life but the lives of many others who can suffer from the excruciating pain associated with sickle cell disorder. Ethnicity does matter and plays a part when it comes to blood transfusions and red cell exchanges.

Chigozie Onuba BSc(Hons), MSc, CSci, MIBMS, IOSH

Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist, Barts Health NHS Trust

No bio provided

Kenneth Amenyah

Synnovis at King’s College Hospital

No bio provided

Deborah Pritchard

Head of Transplantation Services, Welsh Blood Service, Cardiff

Deborah Pritchard is a Consultant Clinical Scientist and Head of Transplantation Services at the Welsh Blood Service. She has 20 years experience in in Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (H&I), specialising in laboratory services to support stem cell and organ transplantation.

Deborah's portfolio also includes the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry, which recruits volunteer donors and collects stem cells from matched donors for patients in need of a stem cell transplant, and she is the Director of the worldwide external quality assessment service provider UK NEQAS for H&I.  She is currently in the final year of a PhD via the Higher Specialist Scientist Training programme, with her research focusing on regulatory lymphocytes in transplantation.

Richard Haggas

Scientific Director, UK NEQAS Blood Transfusion Laboratory Practice

Richard is currently the Scientific Director of UK NEQAS Blood Transfusion Laboratory Practice and has been working in the field of blood transfusion for over 35 years, initially in the Blood Service in the UK and then in a hospital laboratory environment. He was the Chief Biomedical Scientist and Quality Manager in Blood Transfusion at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for over 15 years.

Richard is a member of the Transfusion Task Force of the British Society for Haematology (BSH) and has been on the writing groups for a number of BSH guidelines, and is currently involved in the redrafting of the Pre-transfusion compatibility guidelines in the UK.  He is currently on the organising committee for the BGS Transfusion conferences and a Trustee of the BGS Transfusion charity.

Richard is currently Honorary Treasurer of the British Blood Transfusion Society and a member BBTS Abstract Reviewing Committee. He is chair of the Immunohaematology working group for European Quality Assurance in Laboratory Medicine (EQALM)

Dr Matthew Hazell

Consultant Clinical Scientist, NHS Blood and Transplant

Matt gained his PhD through the development of immunoassays for the detection of adipokines and their use to investigate obesity related disorders.

Shortly after graduation, he gained employment with NHS Blood and Transplant, where he has enjoyed a range of roles over the past 14 years. First, he worked as a member of the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory in the Protein Development and Production Unit. This role saw him produce reagents that are used as therapeutic, diagnostic, CE marked and research grade products in clinical and research practice.

Later, Matt became a Post-Doctoral Research Scientist in the Antigen Engineering Team. This saw him undertake genetic manipulation of mammalian cell lines and purification of red blood cell membrane proteins for the development of diagnostic assays to be used in antibody identification.

Matt made the leap from research to clinical and is currently, after completing the Higher Specialist Scientific Training programme, he is currently a Consultant Clinical Scientist for NHS Blood and Transplant in the Red Cell Immunohaematology Department.

Helen Thom

RCI Development Lead, NHS Blood and Transplant

Helen is a state registered Biomedical Scientist (BMS) and started her career at NHSBT as a placement student in 2012. Helen secured a trainee BMS post working in Red Cell Immunohaematology (RCI) where she specialised in Transfusion Science. After seven years working in the laboratory, Helen moved into the Patient Blood Management team as part of the Education workstream, this was followed by a project management role in Hospital Customer Services. She is currently supporting collaborative models for integrated transfusion services between NHSBT and hospital transfusion laboratories.  

Helen is passionate about Transfusion Science and how working collaboratively can improve patient care. She is a member of the IBMS Specialist Advisory panel for Transfusion Science and is actively involved in supporting and promoting the role of the Biomedical Scientists.  

Helen embraces new challenges and opportunities and is currently undertaking a Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship in Health and Care with executive MBA.  

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walks with her dog, and has recently become a keen gardener.  

Martin Maley

Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, University of Sunderland

Martin is senior lecturer in biomedical science in the Bioscience team at University of Sunderland, specialising in Haematology and Transfusion. He has previously worked for NHSBT, and NBS before it, for over 30 years, the last 25 of which was spent in the Red Cell Immunohaematology Laboratory.

Martin has a keen interest in mentoring, and overseeing placement students and of course lecturing and teaching the newer / younger potential biomedical scientists of the future.

Cassandra Hemmings

Transfusion Service Manager, Betsi Cadwaladwr University Health Board

Cassandra Hemmings is a specialist Biomedical Scientist with 10 years experience in hospital transfusion laboratories. Since graduating from Bangor University, Cassie has worked up from the role of Medical Laboratory Assistant to Transfusion Service Manager.

Whilst working as the Senior Biomedical Scientist, Cassie was awarded the RJ Lavington and IBMS Company Members Prize when completing the IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma in Transfusion Science.

Currently working as the Pathology Training and Education Lead for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in North Wales, Cassie is dedicated to advancing laboratory practices and developing the next generation of healthcare scientists.

Dr Matthew Hazell

Consultant Clinical Scientist, NHS Blood and Transplant

Matt gained his PhD through the development of immunoassays for the detection of adipokines and their use to investigate obesity related disorders.

Shortly after graduation, he gained employment with NHS Blood and Transplant, where he has enjoyed a range of roles over the past 14 years. First, he worked as a member of the International Blood Group Reference Laboratory in the Protein Development and Production Unit. This role saw him produce reagents that are used as therapeutic, diagnostic, CE marked and research grade products in clinical and research practice.

Later, Matt became a Post-Doctoral Research Scientist in the Antigen Engineering Team. This saw him undertake genetic manipulation of mammalian cell lines and purification of red blood cell membrane proteins for the development of diagnostic assays to be used in antibody identification.

Matt made the leap from research to clinical and is currently, after completing the Higher Specialist Scientific Training programme, he is currently a Consultant Clinical Scientist for NHS Blood and Transplant in the Red Cell Immunohaematology Department.

Martin Maley

Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, University of Sunderland

Martin is senior lecturer in biomedical science in the Bioscience team at University of Sunderland, specialising in Haematology and Transfusion. He has previously worked for NHSBT, and NBS before it, for over 30 years, the last 25 of which was spent in the Red Cell Immunohaematology Laboratory.

Martin has a keen interest in mentoring, and overseeing placement students and of course lecturing and teaching the newer / younger potential biomedical scientists of the future.

Jaz Marwood

Senior Biomedical Scientist , Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

Jaz Marwood started her career at Sheffield Childrens Hospital as a Placement Student in Haematology and Transfusion where she learnt the fundamentals of the profession and obtained her IBMS registration portfolio. She moved to Lincoln County Hospital in 2019 as a registered Multidisciplinary BMS in Haematology, Transfusion and Chemistry.

Whilst at Lincoln Jaz completed her Specialist IBMS portfolio alongside the BBTS Specialist Certificate in Transfusion. In 2023, at age 26, she moved to Nottingham University Hospitals as a Senior BMS in Blood Transfusion. The senior team at NUH help provide the transfusion service for the busiest major trauma centre in the UK and one of the largest haematology referral centres in the midlands. Supporting the team to issue over 43,000 units and test over 112,000 transfusion samples annually, Jaz is proud to work for such a large transfusion department and loves to jump into up and coming projects.

In 2024 Jaz submitted her IBMS HSD in Blood Transfusion to become a Fellow of the IBMS. Outside of work Jaz often escapes the mayhem via East Midlands Airport.

Rachael Denham

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

No bio provided

Professor Lise Estcourt

Medical Director for Transfusion, NHS Blood and Transplant

Lise is a Consultant in Haematology and Transfusion Medicine at NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), Oxford and an Associate Professor in Haematology and Transfusion Medicine at the University of Oxford. She is the Director of NHSBT’s Clinical Trials Unit, the Clinical Lead for the National Comparative Audit in Blood Transfusion, Clinical Tutor for NHSBT, and the Co-ordinating editor for Cochrane Haematology. She has authored and co-authored more than 100 papers in peer-reviewed journals.

 Lise led the convalescent plasma transfusion trials on behalf of NHSBT (transfusion aspects of RECOVERY and REMAP-CAP trials) with Professor David Roberts. Her other interests include: the safe and appropriate use of blood components; alternatives to blood transfusion; risk factors for bleeding in haematology patients; and systematic reviews.

Kerry Dowling

Transfusion Laboratory Manager and Chair of UKTLC , University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust

Kerry has 10 years experience working in transfusion science and a total of 21 years experience in Biomedical Science.  Kerrys passion for safe transfusion practice and support for laboratory staff led her to take on the role as the UKTLC chair.

Dr Caroline Evans

Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

No bio provided

Dr Marquita Camilleri

Haematology Consultant, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

No bio provided

Helen Thom

RCI Development Lead, NHS Blood and Transplant

Helen is a state registered Biomedical Scientist (BMS) and started her career at NHSBT as a placement student in 2012. Helen secured a trainee BMS post working in Red Cell Immunohaematology (RCI) where she specialised in Transfusion Science. After seven years working in the laboratory, Helen moved into the Patient Blood Management team as part of the Education workstream, this was followed by a project management role in Hospital Customer Services. She is currently supporting collaborative models for integrated transfusion services between NHSBT and hospital transfusion laboratories.  

Helen is passionate about Transfusion Science and how working collaboratively can improve patient care. She is a member of the IBMS Specialist Advisory panel for Transfusion Science and is actively involved in supporting and promoting the role of the Biomedical Scientists.  

Helen embraces new challenges and opportunities and is currently undertaking a Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship in Health and Care with executive MBA.  

Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, walks with her dog, and has recently become a keen gardener.  

Katherine Philpott

NHS Blood and Transplant

No bio provided

Martin Maley

Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences, University of Sunderland

Martin is senior lecturer in biomedical science in the Bioscience team at University of Sunderland, specialising in Haematology and Transfusion. He has previously worked for NHSBT, and NBS before it, for over 30 years, the last 25 of which was spent in the Red Cell Immunohaematology Laboratory.

Martin has a keen interest in mentoring, and overseeing placement students and of course lecturing and teaching the newer / younger potential biomedical scientists of the future.

Jill Caulfield

Lead Scientist, Blood Stocks Management Scheme, NHSBT

After starting her career as an MLA in 1995 in Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Jill qualified as a Biomedical Scientist in 2000. Later, she became a Blood Transfusion senior, then Technical Manager to three sites in the North East of England.

Although Jill found this both challenging and rewarding, she really wanted to make a difference nationally. She was fortunate enough to secure a position as Lead Specialist within the Blood stocks management scheme team in April 2021, where she now provides a service to over 300 hospitals in the UK. The scheme runs alongside NHSBT and together they help to monitor and preserve their precious blood stocks.

Aimee Burtenshaw

Transfusion Practitioner, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

No bio provided

Jennifer Rock

NHS Blood and Transplant

Jennifer qualified as a state registered Biomedical Scientist in 2001 and has experience of working in haematology, coagulation and transfusion laboratories in Glasgow, Leicester, and Leeds. In 2013 Jennifer joined the Transfusion Practitioner team in Leeds to pursue her passion for clinical education. During her 10 years as a TP Jennifer gained a PGCert in Clinical Education from Leeds University.

Jennifer is working with colleagues in hospitals, universities and NHSBT to develop education programmes that will support healthcare professionals responsible for providing transfusion care and support to patients in healthcare settings. Jennifer is currently collaborating with transfusion practitioners across England to create a nationally recognised professional development framework for transfusion practitioners. The framework will support a resilient and skilled transfusion practitioner workforce.

When Jennifer is not at work, she enjoys the usual social events of seeing friends and family and the occasional theatre trip.

Dr Josephine McCullagh

Consultant Clinical Scientist, NHS Blood and Transplant and Barts Health NHS Trust

Josephine is a registered Clinical Scientist working in a new and exciting role as the first Consultant Clinical Scientist with a joint role between Barts Health NHS Trust and NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). She completed the Higher Specialist Scientific Training (HSST) in Transfusion in 2023, is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath) and holds a Doctorate of Clinical Science (DClinSci).

Josephine is a member of the SHOT Working Expert Group (WEG) and co-authors the SHOT chapter for delays in transfusion. She is also a member of the Clinical Transfusion working party for the International Society of Blood Transfusion (ISBT). Josephine has a wealth of experience in hospital transfusion practice, a passion for research and a keen interest in fostering collaborations between RCI, hospital trusts and pathology networks to improve patient safety and outcomes.

Josephine’s main interests are the use of technology and data to improve transfusion outcomes and the management of patients with acquired bleeding, such as major haemorrhage.

Cerian Thomas

Specialist Biomedical Scientist, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Cerian Thomas is currently a trainee Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Haematology and Blood Transfusion at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.  She started her journey with an Integrated Masters in Biomedical Science from Cardiff University in 2020, and was eager to work in a Hospital Laboratory.

Cerian began her career at UHW as a Medical Laboratory Assistant in the Blood Transfusion Department, quickly progressing to an Associate Practitioner.

Undertaking top-up modules at Aston University, Cerian completed the IBMS Registration Training Portfolio, shortly progressed to becoming a fully qualified Biomedical Scientist, and is currently completing the IBMS Specialist Diploma.

Cerian finds her role very rewarding and is passionate about helping patients and assisting colleagues.

Ashleigh Davies

Blood Transfusion Support Manager, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Ashleigh Davies is currently undertaking a secondment into the Blood Transfusion Laboratory Manager position at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, but her substantive position is as the Blood Transfusion Training Coordinator.

Ashleigh started her career as a Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) in 2016, progressing to a Trainee Biomedical Scientist (BMS), BMS, and Specialist BMS. She completed the IBMS registration portfolio in 2017 and the IBMS Specialist Diploma in Transfusion Science in 2021. Ashleigh has also completed a MSc in Biomedical Science, the British Blood Transfusion Society Specialist Diploma in Transfusion Science Practice and most recently a PGDip in Leadership in Healthcare

Training is Ashleigh's passion, she plays a pivotal role in helping staff improve their knowledge and understanding, whilst gaining competence and confidence. It is Ashleigh's belief that excellent training is the grounding for competent staff, who are confident happy and able to provide a laboratory service that is second to none.

Ashleigh has guided a number of students through IBMS qualifications; it hasn’t always been easy, but certainly rewarding. Irrespective of her future career path Ashleigh hopes to always play a role in ensuring staff reach their full potential and have a wonderful, fulfilling career within Biomedical Science.