Our team

Rebecca is a Clinical Scientist and has worked in haematology since 1992. Her main areas of scientific interest relate to the laboratory and clinical evaluation of major changes to blood component production and methods used to assess blood component quality. She has published nearly 100 papers in the area of haemostasis and transfusion. Rebecca received the BBTS Race & Sanger award in 2007 for an outstanding contribution to transfusion medicine, and is a section editor for Vox Sanguinis (Blood Collection and Production).
Rebecca.Cardigan@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Mike joined CDL in 2003, becoming the laboratory manager in January 2014. Mike has extensive experience in many aspects of blood component manufacture, storage and pathogen inactivation, having led or supervised numerous projects working on red cell, platelet and plasma components. Mike is responsible for the management and delivery of CDL’s programme of Research and Development, overseeing the operational aspects of projects, including ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and guidelines.
Michael.Wiltshire@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Athina holds a BSc in molecular biology and a PhD in vascular biology. She has undertaken a PostDoc at Imperial College within the Heart Science Centre and has some experience as a scientific writer within a contract research organisation. She joined NHSBT and the CDL team in 2012 to work on the RESTORE study pre-clinical phase. Athina has since led several studies in relation to the in vitro quality of blood components, with the work focused on the operational improvement of the blood service. Athina is an author on over ten peer reviewed publications in journals such as Blood, Transplantation, Transfusion and Vox Sanguinis.
Athinoula.Meli@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Richard joined CDL in 2015, having previously been a Senior Research Associate at the Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, where he researched on the blood transfusion-associated transmission of prion diseases. Since joining CDL, Richard’s focus has been on developing novel, quality monitoring parameters for blood components by utilising haematology analysers and flow cytometry. Richard has authored several publications including peer reviewed papers in PLOS Biology and Transfusion. He is a member of both the National External Quality Assurance Schemes (NEQAS) Leucocyte Immunophenotyping Steering Committee and NEQAS Haematology General Scientific Advisory Group.
Richard.Blanco@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Before joining CDL in 2014, Peter worked as a Senior Research Associate in the groups of Willem Ouwehand and Richard Farndale at the University of Cambridge, on the platelet collagen receptor, Glycoprotein VI, then on methods to measure gene variant effects in megakaryocytes and platelets. In NHSBT, Peter acts as a reference on platelet projects whilst seeking to build CDL translational research capacity. Peter is an author on more than 30 articles and has acted as a reviewer for Transfusion, Vox Sanguinis and Platelets. He has presented at numerous national and international conferences. In 2003, Peter received the British Blood Transfusion Society’s Race & Sanger Award.
Peter.Smethurst@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Lucy joined CDL in 2010 as a Component Development Scientist, and her focus has been on projects relating to plasma and cryoprecipitate and assays for their assessment. Lucy validated a new cryoprecipitate manufacturing process, which is now in use nationally. She led a study evaluating options for providing hospitals with a readily available plasma component for massive haemorrhage, and has worked on further optimising cryoprecipitate. Currently, Lucy is leading the laboratory evaluation of a new dried plasma component. Lucy is first author on three peer reviewed publications in Transfusion and Vox Sanguinis and has presented at national and international conferences. Lucy.Bower@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Sue joined NHSBT in 1990 after working in a hospital pathology environment as a Biomedical Scientist. She worked in Donation Testing before joining CDL in 2010. She has worked on several red cell and platelet projects and has led studies looking at washed red cells and novel red cell additive solutions. In 2013 Sue completed an MSc in Biomedical Science at Greenwich University. In recent years she has worked on various platelet projects including a large project on pathogen inactivation of platelets, early validation of an Apheresis System and during the COVID-19 pandemic, development of a reduced dose component. She is most recently involved in a large ongoing project to develop and validate apheresis platelets in additive solution.
Sue.Proffitt@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Surya joined CDL in 2024. She has a PhD in Bioengineering with a focus on vascular biology. Her postdoctoral work and early career have centered around bone marrow, megakaryocyte development, and platelet biology.
Surya.Kotha@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Jenny began her scientific career at the University of Leicester as part of the Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry Laboratory working on the University’s internal DNA sequencing service. In 2001, she joined the Diabetes and Inflammation Laboratory at the University, and in 2005 joined Professor Willem Ouwehand’s group, within the University of Cambridge at NHSBT. During this time she developed her interest in platelet biology. Jenny joined CDL as a Scientist in June 2015. Her areas of scientific interest include red cell and platelet biology. Jenny.Jolley@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Lubosz gained a BSc and MSc in Biotechnology at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. After graduation Lubosz worked in the manufacturing department and hospital services of Blood Donation Centre in Olsztyn, where he was liaising with hospitals and doctors, as well as taking part in production of special ordered blood components. Lubosz joined the CDL team in 2019.
Lubosz.Lewandowski@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Before joining CDL in 2023, Kasia held roles in the medical field. At Spire Hospital, she was the Haematology and Transfusion Deputy Lead, ensuring smooth running of the laboratory. Before that, she worked as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist at Addenbrooke's Hospital, focusing on transfusion science. Kasia’s academic achievements include a first-class degree in Biomedical Science and the Specialist Certificate in Transfusion Science Practice, with distinction. At CDL Kasia contributed to a project known as Apian, investigating the impact of drone transportation on red blood cell quality, with a commitment to innovative approaches in transfusion medicine. Currently, Kasia is involved in the dried plasma project, aiming to rapidly deliver plasma to injured soldiers and save lives in war zones.
Katarzyna.Oleniacz@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Prior to joining CDL in 2023, Azhar held roles in clinical transfusion as a Senior Biomedical Scientist at Addenbrooke's Hospital and was a Transfusion Lead at Spire Hospital. Azhar brings experience of the day-to-day running of the laboratory, leadership, and development in transfusion medicine, working to promote safe and appropriate blood use. Azhar’s academic achievement include a degree in Biomedical Science and passing the Specialist Certificate in Transfusion Science Practice. At CDL Azhar is currently contributing to a project known as CARED, investigating Familial Pseudohyperkalemia (FP), a condition in which red blood cells when refrigerated, have an increased permeability to potassium ions; a study that will be used to inform a clinical risk assessment on the safety of FP red cells intended for the transfusion of vulnerable patient groups such as infants and neonates.
Azhar.Mohamudally@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Sophie joined CDL in 2022 after working in a hospital as a Biomedical Scientist in haematology and blood transfusion. She has been involved in various projects involving red cell and plasma components. Most recently she has been working on a project looking to develop a new platelet component.
Sophie.Rowe@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Sonal joined CDL in November 2024 having previously worked as a Senior Scientist at GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals. There she developed skills in validating biomarkers on various analysers; analysing and interpreting data for Haematology, Coagulation, Clinical Chemistry and Immunoassay in GLP/GCP environments, to support drug safety and drug development non-clinical studies. She has also been involved in writing high-quality SOPs, protocols and regulatory reports.
Sonal.Patel@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Jake joined NHSBT & CDL in April 2023 from the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. He worked there as a Biomedical Scientist in haematology and transfusion from November 2018.
Jake.Pearson@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Lesley is a Clinical Scientist, working in haematology since 1990. She is currently Laboratory Manager at the Bristol Institute for Transfusion Sciences, NHSBT Filton R&D and a member of the National Institute for Health Research, Blood and Transplant Research Unit in Red Blood Cell Products. Her main areas of scientific interest relate to the structure and function of the red cell membrane, red cell membrane variants and their molecular causes, in vitro culture of red cells and reticulocyte maturation, and red cell storage and the pathological conditions that affect their storage. Lesley received the BBTS Kenneth Goldsmith award in 2010, given for original research within the field of blood transfusion, and is an associate editor for Frontiers in Physiology (Red Blood Cell Physiology section). Lesley has published more than 50 papers.
Lesley.Bruce@nhsbt.nhs.uk
Tel: 0117 921 7637

Jannete joined NHSBT in 2016 and is now a Research Scientist based in Filton, Bristol. In 2014 she completed a master's in Transfusion Science and a PhD from the University of Bristol in 2022. During her doctorate she looked at extending the storage stability of cultured red blood cells and worked on variant hereditary stomatocytic red cells to provide evidence for a staged-mechanism of reticulocyte maturation. She is currently involved in the CARED studies that focus on the cold storage induced cation leaky condition Familia Pseudohyperkalaemia (FP). In 2024 Jannete received the Race and Sanger award from the British Blood Transfusion Society.
Christian.Stevens@nhsbt.nhs.uk
Tel: 0117 921 7554

Melanie joined CDL in September 2019 in the role of Programme Manager for the Universal Plasma programme. Melanie started as a bench molecular biologist in the field of neuroscience before moving into scientific project management. She has ten years experience of leading pre-clinical drug discovery programmes at GlaxoSmithKline and over five years experience of product development projects, and leading a team of project managers, at Abcam. Melanie is a qualified Prince2 practitioner, Prince2Agile practitioner and a full member of the Association of Project Managers (the chartered body for the project profession).
Melanie.Munro@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Ruth joined NHSBT in 2015 from previous roles as Manager of the NIHR Medicines for Children South West Local Research Network (2006 – 2014) and as Research Delivery Manager for NIHR Clinical Research Network: West of England. Ruth is the Programme Manager for the RESTORE clinical trial, a first-in-human Phase I trial of lab-grown red blood cells. Ruth’s interest in blood cells started early on, with a PhD on neutrophils, and her first postdoctoral position as a Clinical Scientist in the Bone Marrow Laboratory at National Blood Service South West.
Ruth.Allen@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Sian joined CDL in 2014 after completing a PhD in haemostasis. Sian specialises in the evaluation of the haemostatic potential of blood components for the treatment of major haemorrhage and trauma. She was involved in the assessment of a never-frozen plasma component, and is currently the lead scientist on a project to assess the feasibility of whole blood for use in the pre-hospital setting. Sian was the lead in an Innovate UK-funded project to assess plasma following filtration with an antibody-removal device which won the Institute for Continuous Improvement in Public Services Award in 2016.
Sian.Huish@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Nina is a trained level one Registered Nurse originally specialising in liver and kidney transplantation. Since 2002 she has worked in clinical research. For the past ten years Nina has led clinical research projects, eight of those for NHSBT and University of Cambridge. Her previous studies have included a clinical study examining whether variation in platelet activity in blood donors affects the clinical outcome from platelet transfusion. She is currently the clinical lead for a phase one trial assessing red cells that have been grown in the laboratory.
Nina.Herbert@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Hardeep joined the CDL team in 2020 from his previous role as a team leader at ALS Pharmaceuticals. He holds a degree in Biomedical Science and is responsible for managing the Environmental Monitoring System, site assets, and document reviews at CDL. Currently, he is focused on the validation of laboratories and equipment for the dried plasma project. Additionally, Hardeep plays a key role in supporting the management of processes and assets for other NHSBT R&D groups at the Cambridge site.
Hardeep.Singh@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Hannah started her career in NHSBT as a Donor Carer from 2017-2021, before going on to obtain a degree in Health Science in 2023. During her studies, Hannah worked for Cell Guidance Systems as a Production Assistant for the development of products to purify, assay and measure exosomes. Upon graduating from university, Hannah was employed by GlaxoSmithKline’s Cambridgeshire Clinical Trials Unit as a Research Technician before re-joining NHSBT as Senior Technical Healthcare Officer in 2024.
Hannah.Dougan@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Catherine joined CDL in 2020 as Personal Assistant to Rebecca Cardigan and Mike Wiltshire, having held PA and administrative roles in public sector and NHS organisations. She has a BA in Anthropology from Durham University. In 2022 Catherine was promoted to Business Manager and now manages business administration across the department, including; website lead, records management both digital and hard copy, office refurbishment, office management and PA to Mike Wiltshire, particularly in his role as head of the NHSBT Cambridge Centre.
Catherine.Hankard@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Danielle joined CDL in 2024 after working within the oil and gas industry for 22 years, then running her own business for 3+ years. During her journey she held various roles, such as Lead Receptionist, Office Administrator, Customer Service Representative, Security Control Officer, Building Management and Facility Services, as an Administrator/PA for a team located across Europe, the Middle East and Africa region. In her spare time, she enjoys taking care of her menagerie of dogs and cats at home, discovering and exploring coastal walks with her family and three dogs.
Danielle.Jones-Rising@nhsbt.nhs.uk