Meet the 2023 CPD Award Winners

Bryony Turford, CSciTeach

Primary Science Professional Learning Consultant, Primary Science Geeks and My Science Club

Association for Science Education

What is it like being a CPD Award Winner?

I was thrilled to receive the notification that I was a CPD award winner. Being a chartered science teacher (CSciTeach) means so much to me. As a primary teacher with a GCSE in Human Biology, I have often felt a huge sense of imposter syndrome and that my peers are more ‘science-y’ than me. The charter mark had a huge effect on my self belief that my work is valued and has parity with colleagues in the sector. Achieving this award has made me feel this all over again and I am so proud to be recognised in this way.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work

I have been a primary teacher since 2000 and now have the pleasure of working with in service teachers with a focus on primary science. I am fortunate enough to work with some incredible people and organisations such as Primary Science Quality Mark (PSQM), The Ogden Trust and a fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) as well as my own companies, Primary Science Geeks and the recently launched My Science Club which I co-founded with Paul Tyler. I have been an ASE member for many years, serving on committees, writing and attending events. I would not be where I am without ASE and am hugely proud to be a chartered science teacher too.

Abigail Mortimer, RSciTech

Scientific Glassblower, University of York

Institute of Science and Technology

What is it like being a CPD Award Winner?

It was great to receive the email to say I had won this award. I used to think of CPD as a specific event that I attended , like a training course or a conference, but I’ve realised that many things I do as part of my job can count as CPD too.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work

As a Scientific Glassblower I make, design and repair glassware used for both teaching and research purposes. I am based in the Chemistry department but as the only glassblower in the University I also support other departments as required. I work with both staff and students to ensure they have the glassware they need, when they need it. I am part of the Technician Commitment delivery group and am a council member for the Institute of Technical Skills and Strategy. I am also a member of the British Society of Scientific Glassblowing and a member of my son’s school PTA.

Dr James Fox, CSci

Deputy Operations Manager, Biology, University of York

Institute of Science and Technology

What is it like being a CPD Award Winner?

I am grateful to be acknowledged as a Science Council outstanding volunteer. I enjoy the networking and skills I use and develop through my involvement; the experience contributes both to my own personal CPD journey as well as to that of others.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work

I have been in my current role for almost two years, having been seconded to the position for an initial year. I had a previous role as a laboratory manager after several years in research positions, post PhD. With the broad remit to support research and teaching within the Biology department I also contribute more widely within the Faculty of Sciences at the University of York. My role is very varied with no two days the same! I have been lucky enough to have worked with the Science Council as a volunteer for a number of years.

Gemma Norburn, RSciTech

Anatomical Pathology Technologist, BHRUT

Association of Anatomical Pathology Technology

What is it like being a CPD Award Winner?

I am absolutely chuffed to be awarded as a CPD Winner this year. It means so much to me and my career. I was previously awarded a commandment for my CPD, and to have achieved this level of award for 2023 is brilliant. CPD is very important to me because it enables me to demonstrate my achievements in my career and ensures that my knowledge and training is up to date.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work

I have worked in the mortuary for six years, I qualified as an APT in 2020 and now focus on training and development for staff. The work I do in the mortuary is varied and includes, but is not limited to, care of the deceased, arranging and conducting viewings for families, technical assistance at post mortem and general day to day running of the mortuary. I love my job for many reasons, but one of the aspects I like the most is the fact each day can be so different and I never really know what to expect.

Jemma Lonsdale, CSci

Principal Consultant, RPS

Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology

What is it like being a CPD Award Winner?

It is great to see CPD being celebrated, and it is an honour to win this award. It can feel very isolating thinking and doing CPD activities, but knowing there is a wider community to celebrate and support is motivating.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work

After spending over 10 years in the Civil Service marine science sector, I recently moved to consultancy. I worked directly with the offshore wind industries, supporting their environmental impact assessments and advising on environmental issues. As a project manager, I liaise with technical authors and ensure quality and programme are maintained.

Dr Joanne Fallowfield, CSci

Head of Musculoskeletal Injury Mitigation and Nutrition, Institute of Naval Medicine, MOD

Institute of Biomedical Science

Tell us a little about yourself and your work

I completed a PhD in Exercise Physiology/Nutrition before working as a university lecturer and sports science support provider to UK/England high-performance sport programmes. I moved to the Institute of Naval Medicine initially as Head of Applied Physiology, before taking up my current role to lead a Royal Navy health and performance initiative. I have led pan-Defence scientific programmes investigating the role of physical training and nutrition to promote musculoskeletal health, military performance, and injury recovery and rehabilitation. I represent the UK on TTCP/‘Five Eyes’ and NATO panels on military nutrition, musculoskeletal health promotion, and musculoskeletal injury mitigation.

Katy Fleckney, CSci

Head of Radiation Physics, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust

Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine

What is it like being a CPD Award Winner?

I was surprised, but pleased, to win this award. It is good to get recognition for something that is part of your professional registration and know you are doing it well.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work

I am an Consultant Clinical Scientist in Radiation Physics and head up a fantastic team of healthcare scientists who provide clinical, scientific and technical expertise to ionising and non-ionising radiation users in NHS Trusts and other healthcare providers across Kent and the South East. I am a Medical Physics Expert and Radiation Protection Adviser and have been working in Medical Physics for over 20 years.

Mark Gardiner, CSci

Chief Operating Officer

Royal Society of Biology

What is it like being a CPD Award Winner?

It was a surprise and a real honour to be recognised as a CPD award winner especially as I see continual professional development as something that supports my role and is essential for my career development and to meet new projects that are on the horizon.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work

I worked as a technician in the biological science’s for 39 years and have now taken on the role of Chief Operating Officer at MRC Harwell. I think of myself as a leadership and management geek and spend more time than I should reading books and listening to podcasts on the subject. Being involved in supporting amazing scientific programs and research has helped maintain my level of enthusiasm for 39 years and daily I look forward to the challenges on the horizon.

Rae Freestone, RSci

Lead Laboratory Technician, Cambridge Consultants

Institute of Science and Technology

What is it like being a CPD Award Winner?

I am humbled to be announced the winner of the Registered Scientist category this year and for the 2nd year running. I am proud to be part of the scientific community where we all strive together to make the world a better place through our hard work and learning new skills.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work

My name is Raewyn Freestone, and I am a Lead Laboratory Technician at Cambridge Consultants part of Capgemini Invent. My job role is to support and assist project teams in creating and improving innovations for our clients. As the work I do is varied, I could be working on biological samples one day, testing the robustness of a medical device another day or even working with a robot the next. This means I have been trained in a number of different types of disciplines such as microbiology, cell culture, physical testing of client devices, COSHH assessments and risk assessments.

Dr Shahpur Patel, CSci

Retired, Oxford

Institution of Chemical Engineers

What is it like being a CPD Award Winner?

When submitting my CPD, I wondered if it would cut the mustard. After retiring from paid work in 2012, for six years I worked in the voluntary sector, then caring full-time for five years. I also found opportunities to continue learning and understanding: French with online tutorials; then on YouTube, BBC/Open University, TED talks lots of different subjects including fighting Covid, understanding mind, and mind-wandering, how to get old without getting older, how to think about feelings, how to deal with science deniers. It was a real surprise when I heard that my CPD was not just accepted, but forwarded for an award.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work

In 1960, I came to the UK from India, a nine-year-old. I have lived, studied, worked, and settled into family life in this green and pleasant land for over 60 years. I worked when I was at school, before and, while I was at university, and then for forty years in paid employment and ten years in unpaid voluntary work. Three words that switch me on are friendliness, compassion, and happiness. Not just for myself, but others too, those known to me and others I may never meet. I like the word: excelsior: today better than yesterday, tomorrow better still.

Sian Elizabeth Hodgkins, CSci

Senior Environmental Scientist, Tonkin + Taylor

Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management

What is it like being a CPD Award Winner?

I am humbled to receive this award from CIWEM. In a dynamic and rapidly changing industry, I believe it is crucial to stay curious, open minded and committed to ongoing learning. To address the challenges posed by emerging contaminants and climate change, we, as scientists need to continually innovate and seek environmental solutions from across the globe.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work

Siân Hodgkins is a Senior Environmental Scientist within the Environmental Engineering Team at Tonkin + Taylor. She started her career working in contaminated land with Atkins in the UK before emigrating to New Zealand in 2018. Since then, Siân has become more involved in the waste sector, specialising in the environmental effects of discharges from landfills and management of closed landfill assets. She currently works as a Project Manager and Team Leader in Auckland and is passionate about supporting the next generation of scientists. Her happy place is in the mountains on skis or in tramping boots.

Suzanne Mahon, RSci

Clinical Technologist Nuclear Medicine

Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine

What is it like being a CPD Award Winner?

Maintaining professional registration is important but is often difficult to fit into the working day. I have been selected for my CPD submission several times before, so I try to keep up to date. However, I couldn’t believe that I had been selected again! Luckily, there were lots of opportunities over the past year to participate in CPD, so I was well prepared. It was a huge surprise when I heard about my award and I am delighted to be recognised by the Science Council and thank IPEM for nominating me.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work

I am a Clinical Technologist in Nuclear Medicine and my role involves the administration of a radiopharmaceutical to obtain images using a gamma camera. Images are processed to look at function or structure of an organ and help with diagnosis or treatment of disease, such as cancer. I work in a small but busy department with a single camera where each day can be challenging but fulfilling. I take an active role in training through mentorship and am moderator for the IPEM Clinical Technologist Training Scheme. Outside work, I love to travel and recently completed my Level 1 Wine Certificate.

Tahmina Hussain, CSci

Programme Lead - Biomedical Science Degree Apprenticeship, Directorate Lead for Staff EDI - Human and Natural Sciences (HANS), Lecturer in Biomedical Science. University of Salford

Institute of Biomedical Science

What is it like being a CPD Award Winner?

I am delighted to have been selected as a CPD Award Winner for the Chartered Scientist category. Maintaining CPD comes with our daily roles and is a huge part of our profession and I’m really proud that my CPD has been recognised. I was really pleased to be informed that my CPD records ‘stood out with outstanding CPD submissions’ and that ‘this is one of the best CPD review returns seen’.

Tell us a little about yourself and your work

Tahmina is the Progamme Lead for the Biomedical Science Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Salford. Tahmina is involved in pedagogical research and developing employability skills for new graduates and the future Biomedical Science workforce. Her career as a Biomedical Scientist began in 2009 and she has since specialised in Haematology and Blood Transfusion, progressing through a number of roles such as Biomedical Scientist Team Manager, Blood Sciences Training Officer and Pathology Training Coordinator. Tahmina has a number of roles with the IBMS as a national Council member, EDI Lead, verifier and examiner for registration and specialist portfolios, member of the Transfusion Specialist Advisory Board and a module lead for the IBMS Certificate of Expert Practice in Training Qualification.