Taha Hussain

I would like to gain experience in a laboratory which will enable me to complete my HCPC registration, leading to becoming an accredited Biomedical Scientist. Whilst working with a world-renowned surgeon in Lahore, Pakistan, the last five years in summer, I have studied and experienced a great deal about how different departments in a hospital work in sync to complete tasks. Having work shadowed Dr Farid and his team of cosmetic surgeons, I've learnt that the first step to an operation is making sure that the vitals of the patient undergoing the surgery are at standard as surgery otherwise cannot take place, as it may be life threatening for the patient. To prevent infection post-op, biomedical scientists are always looking for new ways to cure and treat diseases and infections. I will be going back this year, accompanying Dr Farid and a few of his colleagues working on a research project examining burns victims as well as work shadowing scientists in the pathology and haematology department, focusing directly on patients with cancer, in particular patients undergoing reconstructive surgery. Having also arranged a four-week internship in Pakistani Air Force Hospital, Islamabad, I hope to be able to shadow general duty medical officers, and work under the mentorship of a surgical oncologist Prof. Dr. Shahid Mahmood, further elucidating how different cancers are treated. In 2019 I organized a visit to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Lahore, Pakistan where I volunteered for two weeks. I had the opportunity to interact with medical oncologists and hematologist-oncologist, where I was able to help diagnose and treat cancers as well as study the different types of treatment. Some of my duties included but were not limited to preparing specimens extracted through biopsies for examination, discussing treatment options with specialists and families and helping patient manage symptoms/side effects of treatment. Through this, I was able to notice the effort and devotion the professionals put into trying to help rehabilitate their patients. I have arranged to go back in winter 2021 where I will be taking part in research and clinical audits. I also hope to become a student ambassador for the hospital where my duties would include arranging fundraisers and raising money for the hospital. Furthermore, I also gained work experience at a dentist, which increased my awareness of the importance of trauma, infection, and disease. Privileged to be part of SEO Scholars, I was given an opportunity for work experience at Barclays, which provided me with an invaluable insight into cooperate banking. Throughout the course of the two days, I work shadowed various professionals from different departments who worked together to keep the bank at its optimum as would medical professionals in a hospital. Working on different case studies, where I was asked to make important decision that would heavily affect the bank helped to improve my decision-making skills which are vital in the biomedical field. Currently working at a rehabilitation centre for individuals with autism and learning difficulties, I have a greater understanding of medication and behavioural management therapy. Through this I have been able to understand dhow medication and different routes of therapy help individuals autism, ADHD and schizophrenia.

For my undergraduate dissertation, I constructed a systematic review on ‘Which antimicrobial therapy is most effective for treating Escherichia coli biofilms in patients with urinary tract infections?’ This helped me enhance my research skills, develop project management and organisational skills which are all key skills needed to pursue further study in Biomedical sciences.

Health Care Assistant

Biomedical Sciences (Medical Microbiolog) MSc