October 17, 2025

The laboratory team at the Northern Health and Social Care Trust is celebrating significant success at the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) Congress held in Birmingham.

Recognised as the UK’s leading forum for pathology innovation, the event is the biggest of its kind for biomedical scientists and laboratory staff.

The Northern Trust had five entries accepted in the highly competitive poster competition, and in the end came away with two overall awards.

Rachel Calvin, an Ulster University biomedical science student who completed her final year project with the Trust, won the cellular pathology category, while Specialist Biomedical Scientist, Richard Bell, was successful in the clinical biochemistry category.

Laboratory Clinical Services Manager, Gerry Duffy, said: “This success places the NHSCT laboratory among the very best in the UK and reflects a truly outstanding national accomplishment.

“Well done to Rachel and Richard, and to our other biomedical scientists who were shortlisted to present their work at Congress.

“This was an excellent opportunity to showcase the research and innovation within our laboratories in both Antrim Area Hospital and Causeway Hospital, as we continually seek to improve laboratory services here in the Northern Trust and beyond.”

Rachel Calvin with a judge from the IBMS after winning the poster competition in the cellular pathology category.

Specialist Biomedical Scientist Richard Bell with IBMS judges after winning the poster competition in the clinical biochemistry category.

Specialist Biomedical Scientist Rebekah Gilpin presenting her shortlisted poster in the clinical biochemistry category.

Specialist Biomedical Scientist Tobias Kolb presenting his shortlisted poster in the cellular pathology category.