Scotland's Chief Scientific Officer Awards 2025

Scotland's Chief Scientific Officer, Professor Catherine Ross, announced the winners of Scotland's Chief Scientific Officer Awards on Thursday, 13 March, in a virtual event as part of Healthcare Science Week 2025.

These awards celebrate the skills and expertise of our scientific workforce and recognise the positive impact Healthcare Scientists have on the delivery of health services and patient outcomes.

We are delighted to announce that several IBMS members won awards:

• Mark Mason - Healthcare Scientist of the Year
• Laura Van Schayk - Rising Star Award  
• Ijeoma Okoliegbe - Quality in Action Award

This marks the second consecutive year that IBMS members have been recognised in three of the seven categories, including the prestigious Healthcare Scientist of the Year and Rising Star awards.

Mark Mason, Senior Biomedical Scientist, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

Commenting on Mark’s award, Professor Jann Gardner, Chief Executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said:

 "Healthcare Science is an important professional family within the NHS, and our many NHSGGC staff are absolutely critical to the safe, efficient and effective provision of care to our patients.

Every day they go above and beyond, sometimes on the frontline of care, but more often in the background, and these awards are fitting recognition of everyone who has chosen Healthcare Science as a career.

I would like to congratulate those who were named as winners and runners-up, but I would also like to thank everyone else who was nominated, or who simply does their best for our patients every day.”

Laura Van Schayk, Biomedical Scientist, NHS Orkney, commented:

"I’m truly honoured to receive this award. This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my amazing team and colleagues, and the support of NHS Orkney. I’m proud to be part of the Healthcare Science community and truly privileged to serve the community where I grew up.

Working in remote and rural areas comes with its own set of challenges, including limited professional opportunities and often little recognition. That’s why this award means so much to me – it truly feels like a special acknowledgement of our efforts."

Ijeoma Okoliegbe, Clinical Scientist , NHS Grampian, commented:

"I have been a Fellow of the Institute since 2019 and I am so pleased to be featured as a winner of the Chief Scientist Officer's Awards. Being recognised for Quality in Action is testament to the support I have received from my team here at NHS Grampian. It is definitely a collaborative effort to achieve what we do and team work really does make the dream work, as the saying goes."

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you for showcasing the very best of biomedical science.