Duo adapted, innovated and delivered

Two LUHFT biomedical scientists, Hannah Williams and Emma Larne, have been recognised in the 2021 Chief Scientific Officer’s Excellence in Healthcare Science Awards.

The pair scooped the Healthcare Science Rising Star award for their contribution in helping to implement large-scale asymptomatic COVID-19 testing for LUHFT staff and NHS workers across the region.

Working in Liverpool Clinical Laboratories (LCL) the duo have been pivotal to the success of new technology, such as the OptiGene RT-LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) test, which rapidly processes saliva samples to detect for COVID-19. The lab can now process up to 10,000 samples per week, which helps protect patients

and colleagues by rapidly identifying any individuals with asymptomatic COVID-19.

When LCL were selected to validate this new test for the Cheshire and Merseyside region in 2021, Hannah and Emma stepped into leadership roles as COVID-19 LAMP Laboratory Operations Managers to develop and advance this newly established technology into a meaningful service. The lab now processes the highest volume of tests in the country - an impressive 400,000 samples since the project began.

Emma said: “Although it is challenging at times, managing the LAMP team has been an incredibly rewarding opportunity and the greatest achievement in my career so far.

“To win a CSO award makes me feel so proud of the service and what we have achieved – but it’s been a real team effort and we couldn’t have done it without the support and hard work of everyone at LCL. It’s a great feeling to know that we are part of a service that has had a direct positive impact on helping to keep our fellow NHS colleagues safe at work during a global pandemic."

Hannah is now the manager of LCL’s Bone Marrow Transplant Laboratory. She said: “There have been challenging and rewarding aspects, but I am really proud to have been the first LAMP lab in the country to go live. Following this opportunity, I was able to apply for my new job as it gave me the confidence and learning to prove I can run a service and step into that leadership role.”

Andrew Bamber, Director of Operations for Liverpool Clinical Laboratories, said: “Hannah and Emma are a key part of our LAMP success story. Neither scientist had previous managerial experience, nor did they work in molecular diagnostics,

virology or microbiology, but both were keen to advance their own skill set and to grow technically. They adapted, innovated and delivered! Hannah and Emma are a credit to the profession and worthy winners of this CSO award.”

As well as winning a CSO Rising Star award, Emma and Hannah, were highly commended finalists in the WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) COVID Unsung Heroes Awards.