A Staffordshire University lecturer has been named among the most influential people in pathology
Image: Ian Davies has been named in The Pathologist Magazine’s Power List 2020
By widening the opportunities to participate in degree education, the whole workforce benefits from the diversity of experiences. To see these students working all across England and playing their part in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic makes me very proud.
Ian Davies, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science
Ian Davies, Senior Lecturer in Biomedical Science, features in The Pathologist Magazine’s Power List 2020 which recognises inspirational individuals in the field from around the world.
Ian is one of just 20 people named in the Lab Heroes category for his role in bringing together academics and laboratory scientists to create innovative training and research opportunities.
Ian said: “It is incredible to be listed amongst such well-regarded trailblazers and professionals. At a time when Biomedical Scientists are at the heart of the COVID-19 response, it is great to see our work recognised and celebrated”.
After working as a biomedical scientist for 20 years, Ian helped to establish a degree apprenticeship in Healthcare Science at Staffordshire University in 2017. The programme was designed with a range of regional and national NHS partners to create a sustainable and agile pathology workforce through both academic study and work-based education.
In recognition of this, Staffordshire University's Biological Sciences Department received the Excellence in Education Delivery prize at the Chief Scientific Officer's Healthcare Science Awards in 2018 and were recognised the same year at the Advancing Healthcare Awards.
Following the coronavirus outbreak, Ian helped to create free online training to support retired scientists returning to the COVID-19 frontline and 75 trainee biomedical scientists from the apprenticeship programme are helping to ramp up COVID-19 testing across England.
Ian commented: "My students are my proudest professional achievement. When we developed our Healthcare Science Degree Apprenticeship programme we hoped that this would provide an additional entry point for those wanting a career as a biomedical scientist, especially among students from non-traditional backgrounds or returning after long breaks in formal education.
“By widening the opportunities to participate in degree education, the whole workforce benefits from the diversity of experiences. To see these students working all across England and playing their part in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic makes me very proud."
Dr Angela Priestman, Head of Department for Biological Sciences, said: "By connecting academics, NHS scientists and students, Ian has created a rich network for developing learning and research opportunities within healthcare science and laboratory medicine. Ian’s style is to facilitate an inclusive and diverse community that focuses on innovation and creativity”
Dr Nigel Thomas Dean of the School of Life Sciences and Education added: "Being named on The Pathologist Power List 2020 is global recognition of Ian's work within Laboratory Medicine. We are all very proud of him!"