Announcing our new President Elect 2025

We are pleased to announce that Dr. Sarah Pitt CSci FIBMS has been elected by IBMS Council members as the new IBMS President Elect. She will take office from 1st January 2025, supporting Joanna Andrew in her second and final year as President.

Dr. Pitt brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to biomedical science. As a national IBMS Council member and Chief Examiner for Virology, she has been instrumental in shaping the profession's strategic direction, overseeing professional examinations, advancing the Specialist Portfolio, and fostering continuing professional development.

Her career has spanned hospital diagnostic laboratories in the UK, Africa, and Central Asia, where she gained extensive expertise in clinical virology and parasitology. She continues to lecture in microbiology, sharing her knowledge and passion with the next generation of scientists, and has authored three textbooks to support student learning.

Throughout the pandemic and beyond, Dr. Pitt has emerged as a leading voice and trusted media commentator in the field, frequently appearing as an expert source for major outlets such as the BBC. By providing clear, fact-based insight into evolving public health issues, she has raised both her own profile and that of the entire biomedical science profession, ensuring its crucial role remains at the forefront of public discourse.

Sarah told us:

I feel very privileged to have been elected as the next President of the IBMS. It is a significant responsibility to serve our members and represent the profession, but I am ready to embrace this challenge. Thanks to the dedication of the Chief Executive and past Presidents, the IBMS has made remarkable progress in raising its profile and championing the essential work of biomedical scientists. I am excited to build on these achievements and further support our profession.

 

As a proud biomedical scientist, much of my career has been dedicated to teaching and training colleagues. One of the greatest strengths of our profession is its interconnectedness – a dynamic network of expertise and collaboration that drives innovation and ensures our collective success. It is always a joy to meet people I have taught or examined, to see how their careers have progressed, and to understand how their contributions enrich the wider profession. Becoming President will give me the opportunity to connect with even more IBMS members and colleagues, strengthening these connections and ensuring that our organisation continues to thrive.

 

I am eager to work closely with Joanna, Council, and the IBMS team to support our members, celebrate their achievements, and drive forward our shared goals as the leading voice in biomedical science .

Dr. Sarah Pitt will work alongside IBMS President Joanna Andrew over the next year in her role as President Elect.

Joanna commented after the announcement:

I  am delighted to congratulate Dr. Sarah Pitt on her election as our next President Elect. This is well-earned recognition of her outstanding dedication to the profession, and I am looking forward to working with her throughout 2025 as we continue to promote and raise the profile of our profession.

Sarah’s extensive experience and tireless advocacy for biomedical science have made a significant impact, both within our profession and in the public sphere. From her leadership as a Council member and Chief Examiner to her invaluable media work during the pandemic, she has consistently demonstrated her commitment to supporting our members and promoting biomedical science.

I am confident that Sarah will bring fresh perspectives and unwavering dedication to her role as President Elect and, in the future, as President. I look forward to seeing her lead the IBMS into its next chapter.