Hanaan's Chester Made Story: Returning to teach at the same university where I studied feels very special

Studying for my MSc at the University of Chester was a hugely important part of my professional and personal development. I graduated from the University of Chester in March 2019, after completing my MSc in December 2018 part time while working as a Specialist Biomedical Scientist. My time at Chester was both challenging and rewarding, because I was balancing postgraduate study alongside a demanding role in the NHS. When I look back, what stands out most is the sense of achievement and how much the experience helped me grow in confidence, both professionally and personally.

What I loved most about the course was how closely it linked academic study with real laboratory practice. As someone already working in biomedical science, I could immediately apply what I was learning to my day-to-day role. That made the experience especially meaningful, as it deepened not only my scientific knowledge but also my understanding of the wider impact of biomedical science on patient care.

Studying at Chester helped shape who I am today by pushing me to think more critically, work more independently and believe in my own ability to progress. Completing an MSc while working full time required commitment and resilience, but it also showed me what I was capable of achieving. The course, along with the support of the academic staff, strengthened my passion for the profession and confirmed that I wanted to continue developing my career in biomedical science.

This picture is first-day induction to the course, where I was made to feel very welcomed by the academic staff.

Post-graduation

Since graduating from Chester in 2019, I progressed to become a Senior Specialist Biomedical Scientist in Haematology Laboratory at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board NHS trust as a Flow Cytometry Section Lead. One of the achievements I am most proud of is publishing my MSc research dissertation project, which contributed to changes in immunophenotyping panel design for the diagnosis of haematological malignancies. Knowing that my research could help improve diagnostic practice and ultimately support better patient care was especially rewarding.

What I love most about my work is the combination of scientific problem-solving, service improvement and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to patients.

In November 2024, I began working as a Lecturer in Biomedical Science and Haematology at the University of Chester, which has been a particularly proud milestone. Returning to teach at the same university where I studied feels very special, and being a Chester graduate means being part of a community that helped shape both my career and my future direction.