Health Care Science Week is a chance to recognise our healthcare science staff working across Salford Royal and the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre who help make research happen every day. From laboratories and wards to theatres and clinics, these roles support the safe and effective delivery of studies that improve understanding, diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions.

Amanjot Kaur, Research Support Worker 

I am completing a 12‑month placement as a Research Support Worker with the Oncology Research Team. My role supports clinical trials focused on neurological conditions including brain tumours and stroke.

I work across several studies, including the PORTRAIT and POBIG trials involving patients with glioblastoma, alongside the Clots study and the Stroke‑IMPACT trial. My work helps ensure patient samples are collected, processed and recorded accurately to support high‑quality research.

Within the PORTRAIT and POBIG trials, my responsibilities include collecting tear and blood samples at different timepoints. I also attend brain surgeries to collect tumour samples, which are then transported on ice to the pathology laboratory for further analysis. This requires close coordination with clinical and laboratory teams to ensure samples are handled correctly and safely

I process samples independently and under supervision, this includes peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) processing and plasma isolation. For the Stroke‑IMPACT trial, I assist with PBMC isolation alongside plasma and serum processing. In the Clots study, I support the processing of thrombi retrieved during thrombectomy procedures, contributing to research that aims to improve stroke outcomes.

Alongside laboratory work, it’s really important to prepare equipment and materials in advance, label and store biological samples appropriately, and ensure all activities are carried out in line with Good Clinical Practice and individual study protocols. Accurate documentation is a key part of my role, including updating patient trackers and recording clinical trial notes on the electronic patient record system.

This placement has given me hands‑on experience across both laboratory and clinical research environments. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams has highlighted the important role that research support staff play in delivering safe, well‑run studies that ultimately benefit patients.

Natalia Wierzbowska, Research Intern

I am a research intern working for the Neurology Research team, currently studying Bsc (Hons) in Biomedical Science and I have joined the team at Salford as part of my placement year to gain valuable experience and an insight into clinical research. I have always been passionate about the physiological processes of the human body and I want to find a career to put my passion into real life practice and contribute to changing people’s lives. Research allows me to combine the scientific background and knowledge I have gained from my degree as well as the hands on aspect on working with patients.

Through my time here I have been working for the Human Tissue Biobank collecting samples for the neuroinflammatory conditions involving central nerve system and rare neurological disorders, providing a long term scientific resource that will aid future research. Additionally, I had a pleasure of working on some academic studies such as EXPERT –ALS, aiming to assess levels of neurofilament light chains as a marker of disease activity by testing 3 licensed drugs.

Recently I have also been working on another academic study INFORM which is a liquid biopsy biomarker analysis for early diagnosis and non- invasive monitoring of brain tumours, focusing on the cohort under neurological non- cancer diagnosis, hoping to provide an accessible tool which will allow for a faster diagnosis. Such advances could have a wider application for conditions such as multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, both having very complex diagnosis criteria.

Ever since working in a clinical environment it has broadened my understanding of the purpose and impact of research. Engaging with patients with various neurological conditions has made me appreciate both the challenges they face and the value of research in shaping the future healthcare.

Katie Hood, Research Support Worker

I am on a sandwich placement as a Research Support Worker with the Inpatient Research Team, I am studying biomedical science at Manchester Metropolitan University.

I have always been interested in research, and this placement has allowed me to gain experience in both the scientific and delivery aspects of studies, including direct involvement in patient recruitment and care.

I work primarily on an academic study called INFORM which is using tear collection for liquid biopsy analysis for the early diagnosis and non-invasive monitoring of brain tumours. I have responsibility to co-lead on this study to screen and recruit patients, including those with a brain tumour diagnosis as well as control groups such as those with a non-cancer neurological diagnosis and healthy volunteers.   

I also support other academic studies as well as some commercial trials. Working so closely with patients has introduced me to a new side of research which brings home the importance of what we do, seeing the lives it directly impacts. I am looking forward to building on this experience and developing a career in research after I graduate.

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