A SOUTHAMPTON scientist has won a national award for her commitment to raising awareness of healthcare science.

Joanne Horne, who works at University Hospital Southampton, was named biomedical scientist of the year for her work in histopathology - the study of changes in tissues caused by diseases.

The award was presented to Joanne at the Advancing Healthcare Awards at the Park Plaza Victoria, London.

She said: "I was thrilled to be nominated and shortlisted for the biomedical scientist of the year award, alongside other fantastic biomedical scientists from around the UK.

"To be recognised by my peers is amazing and I only hope that I can inspire others working in biomedical science to set the bar high, achieve their own goals and then encourage others to do the same."

Joanne added: "It is an absolute privilege to do my job, and an opportunity which I hope many other aspiring healthcare scientists, whether from a traditional biomedical science background or the newer Clinical Scientist STP pathway, can achieve.

"Looking back, it has been a busy, but incredible year. I haven’t achieved this by myself, and there are many people who I either work with or who have provided me with peer support in person or via social media.

"Sometimes it can be really challenging and stressful, and the things that I have focused on this year have not so much been the hard science, but more of those ‘softer’ skills, such as peer support, emotional intelligence, gratitude and kindness."

Joanne has set up organisational accounts for healthcare scientists on Twitter, as well as collaborating with biomedical scientists from around the UK to create @WeBMScientists. This is designed to increase awareness of the field, but also provides a place where biomedical scientists can get together to share knowledge, debate key issues and ask for advice.

She was also invited to Downing Street as part of last year’s celebrations for the NHS’s 70th anniversary.