Heba Toumeh

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science Graduate

Receiving the IBMS President’s Prize has been an incredible honour and a proud moment in my academic journey. The award recognises outstanding performance and contribution in Biomedical Science at undergraduate level, and to have my hard work acknowledged by the Institute of Biomedical Science is truly humbling.

For me, this award is not just a personal achievement; it is a reflection of the support I have received from my family, lecturers and peers who inspired me to strive for excellence. It symbolises perseverance through challenges, passion for the field, and the importance of never losing sight of your goals, no matter how far they may seem.

To future students: embrace every opportunity, stay curious, and do not be afraid to ask questions, as that is how learning truly happens. Surround yourself with positive, driven people, and remember that success is rarely a straight path. Celebrate the small wins, learn from setbacks, and always stay grounded in why you chose this journey.

Sara Alnasir Kassam

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science Graduate

Hello readers!

I am Sara Alnasir Kassam, the recipient of the School of Science, Engineering and Environment’s Prize for Best Performing Level 6 Student in Biomedicine 2025. I am glad to have this chance to tell you about my journey that led to me receiving this prize.

Receiving this prize on graduation day truly reflected my journey, especially during the final year of my studies at the University of Salford. It required resilience, patience and organisation to navigate my way through Level 6. It is in this year that you really gain your independence as a student and as a scientist. My favourite part of it all was working on my dissertation.

This piece of work seemed scary, huge and monumental, but in the end, it was my own, something that I can be proud of. Although it may seem like a solitary task, it actually required solid collaboration and dedication to collate my results and reach a conclusion.

Sometimes it is easy to become overwhelmed by Level 6, and one may overlook the real point, which is to enjoy the process of studying. I was once told that I must stop and reflect on what I am learning. Once I began to enjoy it, everything worked itself out, and the process became easier over time. That is one piece of advice I would like to give you today.

I am grateful to all those who supported me on my journey, who taught me resilience and lifted me when I fell. I particularly thank the Biomedicine lecturers at the University, who saw something in me that I did not recognise myself, and who pushed me to be the best I could be.

Now I move on to something more exciting, the next chapter of my adventure. However, I will always remember Salford as the place that accepted me for who I am and allowed me to reach my potential.

Always remember to enjoy your journey. There will be obstacles, but they are there to be overcome. Have faith in yourself and take care of your wellbeing. You will soon see yourself flourish. My best wishes to you all.