Meet Usman Ahmed - Biomedical Scientist

Explain what your job entails?

A Biomedical scientist working in Microbiology is ultimately looking to see if a condition or symptom is being caused by a bacteria or virus. We try to grow these organisms from patient samples and then test to see what antibiotics work against them. We can also look to see if someone has previously been exposed to a specific organism. 

Why did you choose your career?

I love working in a lab and making a real difference to people's lives especially when you find an organism and then find effective antibiotics which are then implemented as part of treatment. I especially love Microbiology as I enjoy the fact that it is very 'hands on'.

What do you love about your job?

The best thing about my job is that I am learning something new every day. Whether this is an interesting case or an organism that is rarely seen. No two patients are the same and therefore no two samples are the same.

Let us know something that a lot of people don’t know about your job?

I think one of the main things people don't know about our job is that it even exists. We stay out of the spotlight usually tucked away in a basement somewhere. Patients usually never see us unless they notice us in white coats during fire drills however without pathology the NHS would grind to a halt.