A final-year Biomedical Science student at Southampton Solent University has secured a place on the NHS Scientist Training Programme, becoming the first from the university to land such an offer. Ella Newman pushed past more than 11,000 other applicants for one of only five histopathology places available nationally.
Growing up in the New Forest, she arrived at Solent through clearing and balanced two jobs alongside her degree. A lab position arranged through the university, volunteer work in a local pharmacy and arranging her own theatre work experience were, she believes, central to her acceptance. Ella described her time at Solent by saying it made her feel she was already becoming a scientist, not just studying to be one.
Her route into histopathology began during a GP work experience stint where she became curious about what happens to patient samples beyond the consultation room. A guest talk in her second year introduced her to the training programme, though the competition figures seemed daunting. It was a cellular pathology module shortly afterwards, and long hours spent examining slides in the laboratory, that confirmed this was the path she wanted. Her course leader, Dr Jamil Jubrail, provided close support during the application and interview stages, while lecturer Aref Kyyaly conducted a mock interview before the real assessment.
Dr Jubrail said he was extremely proud that Ella would be undertaking her specialty training in Cellular Pathology, which is his clinical area of expertise. The three-year programme will keep her in Southampton, rotating through cytology, genetics and dissection while she also completes a master’s degree in clinical science. Nationally, the training scheme offers between 200 and 250 places each year across more than 40 healthcare science specialties, making the competition for any single specialism intense.
Ella will graduate at the university’s ceremonies running from 8 to 10 July before starting her new role, which carries the prospect of registering as a clinical scientist upon completion.
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