Bamidele Farinre: AH Awards; Black History
As well as winning this year's award, Bamidele is an IBMS Fellow and Chartered Scientist (CSci) who was recognised as one of the top advocates for Biomedical Science by the Pathologist magazine in 2019. She talks to us about her career, winning awards and the importance of being a role model for young black Biomedical Scientists.
I have worked across different organisations in the healthcare sector, including Hammersmith Hospital, St. Georges Hospital and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children to UKHSA. I worked at Viapath as an Operations Lead as part of the National Testing Programme requirements to implement local COVID-19 laboratories. I was part of the team instrumental in leading, designing and implementing the June Almeida Laboratory, a collaborative project between Kings College London and Viapath Analytics LLP.
Bami won Advancing Healthcare Biomedical Scientist of the Year Science Award 2022 for her pioneering work to set up mobile laboratories to speed up COVID-19 testing in the midst of the pandemic.
Using my knowledge and skills in molecular virology, I ensured that I implemented good laboratory processes and training throughout this project. Winning the AHA awards this year has been the pinnacle of my career so far. Winning the AHA awards this year has been the pinnacle of my career so far.
2. What impact has winning this award had on your career and do you think your win will encourage more black biomedical scientists to enter the profession, combat discrimination and enhance Black equality, recognition, and inclusion in the profession?
Winning this year's Biomedical Scientist of the Year has given me validation and boosted my confidence, demonstrating that I take pride in what I do and do well.
I hope it encourages more biomedical scientists, especially black ones, to continue striving for excellence in the profession. My community has seen this award as a light of hope; it's a testament that nothing is impossible, regardless of the challenges and hurdles experienced along the way.
I hope that I will not be the last female black scientist to reach this milestone and that there will be more after me. We still have a long way to go, but we charge forth.
I hope that I will not be the last female black scientist to reach this milestone and that there will be more after me. We still have a long way to go, but we charge forth. I have always advocated for the future generation of scientists because I have had first-hand experience and know the real struggles for any black scientist, especially females navigating their career journey.
I am confident that the IBMS will continue fighting to combat discrimination. The IBMS was the sponsor for this award, and I believe that celebrating excellence and recognising the achievements of their ethnic minorities is the right step to encouraging and creating visibility and enhancing black equality.
The impact of seeing a black woman win awards from professional organisations shows that the organisation is an excellent space to grow your career and helps solidify a decision to pursue a career in that region. There is a lack of supporting black women in the workplace as students get lost in other occupations, so seeing someone like me in such a position makes it known that the journey is possible. Combating discrimination is more than just a face in a job and more of making a community of people feel welcome.
3. As a black member of the Biomedical Science profession, what barriers do you feel you have had to overcome in your career?
I faced some barriers as a female scientist, and I think this is partly due to a lack of visible role models from the Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) communities. Navigating your career pathway can be very challenging, much more so in a competitive environment.
I think more needs to be done and there's still a long way to go in nurturing black talent in Biomedical Science... One significant area that needs focus is the promotion of BAME scientists to serve as mentors and role models.
I think more needs to be done and there's still a long way to go in nurturing black talent in Biomedical Science, especially for those that show their willingness to learn and develop as a leader. One significant area that needs focus is the promotion of BAME scientists to serve as mentors and role models.
I believe that introducing more inspirational role models for early career black Biomedical Scientists and incorporating them early in their careers or as part of degree curricula would be a highly effective way to learn from Biomedical Science professionals.
Using diverse role models will also enforce the idea that equality is essential, and it is likely that the 'STEM stereotypes' will be quickly invalidated. As a stem advocate/ambassador, I aim to encourage a greater diversity of scientists in the biomedical science profession. There are also many inspirational young people, STEM communicators and professionals willing to give up their free time to fight for what they believe in greater diversity in STEM. Equality and inclusion are the only way we can progress further in Biomedical Science and function as a society.
4. What more do you feel can be done to eradicate discrimination in Biomedical Science laboratories and improve career opportunities for black members?
It's a bitter truth that discrimination exists in Biomedical Science laboratories. Research has repeatedly shown that discrimination impedes scientific advancement, reduces the pipeline of diverse clinicians and scientists, and contributes to racial and ethnic health disparities.
I advocate for proactive anti-discriminatory approaches to eliminate barriers impacting black healthcare/biomedical science professionals, promote equity and achieve a more effective biomedical community where practitioners can thrive. Combating discrimination in laboratories is complex by the very nature of its root causes, but most appear to agree that it requires the development of a diverse biomedical workforce.
A consensus feeling in the black member's community is that working in an environment in which they feel unseen, unheard, unsupported, and unwelcomed is a crucial barrier to succeeding or progressing through the career ladder.
A glass ceiling needs to be broken and winning the Biomedical Scientist of the Year award is a move in the right direction. A consensus feeling in the black member's community is that working in an environment in which they feel unseen, unheard, unsupported, and unwelcomed is a crucial barrier to succeeding or progressing through the career ladder.
Several colleagues in the profession have recounted experiences of being considered intellectually inferior, invalidated, subject to abuses of power, in volatile relationships with colleagues, excluded from or overlooked for opportunities, isolated, viewed as an outsider and viewed as a commodity. Such experiences impede the advancement of our black colleagues and, by extension, Biomedical Science.
More can be done to eradicate discrimination in our laboratories; for example, senior leaders should be aware of their legal and moral obligations to combat discrimination and create an inclusive work environment. Even if a policy isn't obligatory, it's still a good idea to adopt one to encourage an accommodating work environment. The policy should define discriminatory behaviours; outline a process for filing, investigating and documenting complaints about discrimination; and set out measures to be taken in the case of an incident.
Eliminating hiring biases is another way by which employers can review their hiring process to eliminate discrimination. It's common for hiring to be biased, often unconsciously, and mostly against candidates with unfamiliar names, gaps in work history or foreign credentials. One possible solution is blind recruitment—removing the name and other identifying information from resumes - adapting the training to accommodate the needs of different workers. For example, consider training for candidates who lack some skills but could otherwise be good employees. It can also be helpful to track the organisation's diversity performance in hiring and promoting.
5. Finally, do you have any words of advice for our young black members who want to enter the field of biomedical science?
Coming to the decision that you're ready for a career in biomedical science is a big decision; translating that decision into the reality of finding a new role with a new employer can still seem frustratingly unachievable, especially when you're not getting positive feedback.
Be yourself and believe in your abilities, strive for excellence, reach for the stars and you might reach the moon - this has been my motto.
'Be yourself and believe in your abilities, strive for excellence, reach for the stars and you might reach the moon - this has been my motto. So, when difficult situations arise, I have this playing in my head like music and I persevere regardless of the outcome. It has taught me always to get back up when life throws obstacles in my way. My success has always been to rise above the difficulties when knocked down.
Nominate now for the AH Biomedical Scientist of the Year 2023