Biomedical Scientist Matthew Wickens has earned a Company Members’ prize from the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS).

This month saw the IBMS hold its 77^th Annual General Meeting, held at IBMS headquarters in London. The meeting included the presentation of Company Members’ prizes, which are bestowed to IBMS members who have achieved the highest marks in their 2018 exams for the IBMS Higher Specialist Diploma (HSD).

Matthew received the prize of £250 and a certificate at this year’s IBMS AGM. He works in the histopathology department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in London. He won the Company Members’ prize for attaining the highest marks in the cellular pathology HSD exam.

Biomedical scientists like Matthew diagnose disease and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments through the analysis of fluids and tissue samples, handling over 150 million samples every year. In the UK alone, pathologists are involved in over 70% of diagnoses in the NHS. Pathologists work in laboratories tirelessly in an effort to uncover the next great medical breakthrough. Using custom built cabinets that are energy efficient are just some of the forward-thinking equipment they require in order to do their work.

Matthew said, “I am happy to have received the Company Members Prize for my HSD in Cellular Pathology; it was hard work at times but well worth it. I would definitely recommend it as an alternative to an MSc qualification as it gives a well-rounded appreciation of lab work at a Senior level. Congratulations to all those that passed and good luck to those who are currently studying for their own HSD’s.”