Introducing IBMS President Dr Sarah Pitt

As a biomedical scientist, experienced educator and IBMS Chief Examiner for Virology, Dr Sarah Pitt brings a broad understanding of laboratory practice, education and professional standards to the role of President. Since the COVID-19 pandemic she has become a regular voice on BBC news and radio, and Times Radio, offering clear, evidence-based commentary on infection and public health. In this interview, she reflects on her career, her commitment to education and training, and how she plans to use the Presidency to advocate for biomedical scientists and the vital services they provide.

Q1. What first drew you to biomedical science and how has your career prepared you for the IBMS Presidency?

I began my career in microbiology laboratories, focusing on viruses and parasites, and have worked in services ranging from large teaching hospitals to smaller laboratories in other health systems. That has given me a strong sense of how laboratory teams adapt to very different demands.

Alongside that, my work as a lecturer and as IBMS Chief Examiner for Virology means I am closely involved in curricula, examinations and portfolios. I see the expectations placed on students, training officers and departments. Taken together, those experiences help me understand both the day-to-day reality of practice and the frameworks that shape it.

Q2. You balance clinical microbiology, teaching and examining. How will that shape your priorities as President?

It helps to see the full journey: people thinking about joining the profession, those in training posts and colleagues taking on senior responsibilities. The links between those stages are not always as smooth or visible as they could be.

As President, I want to focus on how those transitions can be better supported. That includes helping students to see a clear route into registration, supporting laboratories that host trainees and making it easier for individuals to understand how they can progress into specialist and higher-level practice.

My examining and portfolio work also show me how much time and effort members give to supervision, assessment and quality assurance. I would like to ensure that this contribution is recognised and supported.

Q3. Since COVID-19 you have become a regular voice for microbiology on BBC news and radio, and Times Radio. How will you use those platforms for the profession?

The pandemic made it very clear that people wanted straightforward explanations about tests, transmission and risk. I tried to focus on what the data could tell us, to acknowledge uncertainty and to relate laboratory work to everyday choices.

Being invited to take part in these discussions has shown me how little is often known about what happens in laboratories. As President, whenever I am asked to comment, I want to make sure that I bring in the wider picture: the expertise of biomedical scientists, the complexity of the work and the importance of properly supported services.

Media work also matters for future recruitment. When students or school pupils see biomedical scientists speaking in public, it helps them imagine themselves in those roles. I would like to encourage more members to feel confident about sharing their knowledge in appropriate settings.

Q4. What will be your main priorities for advocating for IBMS members over your term?

I want members to feel that the issues affecting them are reflected in what the IBMS says to government, employers and other professional bodies. To do that, I will be listening carefully to colleagues in different disciplines and regions about their pressures and priorities.

Three themes stand out for me: recognition, resources and routes for development. Recognition means being clear about the contribution of biomedical scientists to patient pathways and public health. Resources means having the staff, time and infrastructure to deliver safe, timely services. Routes for development mean realistic opportunities to gain new skills and take on extended roles.

My role will be to work with Council to ensure that these themes are strongly represented in our engagement with policymakers and that members can see how their experiences are influencing that work.

Q5. How do you see education and training in biomedical science evolving, and what role should the IBMS play?

Testing strategies, technologies and service models are changing, so training cannot stand still. We will need professionals who are comfortable with data, automation and new diagnostic approaches, but who also have a firm grounding in core laboratory science.

I think we will see more varied training patterns, closer collaboration between universities and laboratories and greater emphasis on developing critical thinking, communication and leadership skills alongside technical competence.

The IBMS is well placed to help shape this by setting clear learning outcomes, accrediting programmes, supporting supervisors and assessors and keeping our qualifications under regular review. It will be important that these frameworks are demanding, but also achievable for departments delivering training in busy services.

Q6. What message would you like to share with IBMS members as you step into the role of President?

I am very aware that I am taking on this role at a time when many of you are managing heavy workloads and complex demands. My intention is to approach the Presidency in a practical, listening way, grounded in the realities of laboratory life.

Whether you are just starting to think about a career in biomedical science or have been in the profession for many years, your perspective matters. I would encourage you to share your experiences, ideas and concerns, so that they can help shape the priorities we take forward.

I am grateful for the trust placed in me and I look forward to working with you to strengthen the position of biomedical science within the health system and in public understanding.