Become a pioneer in Research and Medical
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) teams are leading the way in medical science and social responsibility. Consultant Clinical Scientist, Colin Brown is at the forefront of this movement.
We were the first department to introduce next generation sequencing in Europe.Colin Brown
Consultant Clinical Scientist
Colin's story
I’m the head of a laboratory that provides services to hospitals in the region, including stem cell transplants and transfusions. We also provide services for the bone marrow registry and the blood bank, and do a lot of genetic testing. We were the first department to introduce next generation sequencing in Europe. This was a major achievement.
As well as my role as a Consultant Clinical Scientist, I am also Head of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Members' (BAME) Network. The BAME network looks for ways to support NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to reach communities we have traditionally struggled to reach. Thereby addressing the shortage of Black and Asian blood and organ donors. I’m really proud to be involved in this.
Every year my team administers 20,000 units of platelets to hundreds of patients. Without these platelets, their quality of life would be much lower. Some wouldn’t survive because of the complications with bleeding.
I have worked in a couple of organisations and NHSBT offer more opportunities for training. My advice to people is to take them. I was half way through my PHD when I came to NHSBT and they supported me to finish it. I also took the Royal College Exam and became a consultant.
I would also advise people to have an open mind and not be fixed in their career from the beginning. I had initially considered a career in tropical medicines as I am from Jamaica and there are a lot of tropical diseases. But I was offered work in the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel in renal and stem transplant and became interested in transplantation.
As well as scientific qualifications, NHSBT offers lots of leadership and management courses. These days, everyone needs both as it makes you a more rounded leader.