Member Profiles
8 September 2025
Nana Asante Asamoah-Danso RSci MRSB on 7am jogs and leading Imperial’s Bioengineering facilities, and Michał Przedwojski RSci AMRSB on ant hills, antimicrobial resistance and a move to veterinary medicine
A DAY IN THE LIFE
Nana Asante Asamoah-Danso RSci MRSB is bioengineering laboratory support technician at Imperial College London’s Department of Bioengineering
My alarm goes off…
At 4am or 6am. Two mornings I attend gym sessions, and on one morning I get up even earlier to jog through Hyde Park before the gym.
My work involves…
Leading the histology and utility facilities – inducting lab members onto the cryostat and microtome instruments, tissue fixation, paraffin wax embedding, sample sectioning and imaging, haematoxylin and eosin staining techniques, the departmental cryostorage room and freeze dryer instrument. I also oversee facility instruments, schedule service engineer visits, lead the departmental autoclave machine and provide technical support for bioengineering researchers.
On a typical day…
I start by reading through bible scriptures and praying. I arrive at South Kensington Campus and check through all emails and messages for any outstanding or urgent tasks. I prioritise my departmental duties and technical tasks, including the autoclave machine cycles and inducting new bioengineering members onto facility instruments and laboratory techniques. I also oversee the instrument booking calendar, optimise the instruments, supply researchers with the required consumables and support bioengineering technicians with laboratory infrastructure projects.
A present…
I am optimising the histology facility laboratory organisation, upgrading facility instruments, updating the Histology web page and creating a poster board for the Bioengineering facilities.
I work with…
An incredibly hard-working and dedicated team of highly skilled bioengineering technicians.
In addition…
I volunteer as a technicians’ ambassador for the London Science Museum’s outreach and engagement careers initiative. As part of the 100+ Gatsby Technicians, I won the 2023 Royal Society Hauksbee Award and the 2024 London Science Museum Innovation Award.
After bioengineering hours…
I often shop for organic, naturally nutrient-dense superfoods so I can prepare healthy meals. Occasionally on Wednesday afternoons I attend polo sessions with the Imperial College London Polo Club, a new hobby that I really enjoy.
THE CAREER LADDER
Michał Przedwojski RSci AMRSB is senior research technician at Nottingham Trent University
I first discovered biology…
As a child, when I would join my grandma, searching for ant hills in our local forest. During heatwaves we’d create small wells and fill them with water, observing the ants that gathered around. It sparked my interest in biology and nature.
I studied…
Biological sciences with a focus on pathology and infectious diseases at the Royal Veterinary College. I stayed for another year to complete an integrated master’s degree in microbiology, researching gene expression in mycobacteria. I then completed an internship at the University of Oxford, investigating antimicrobial resistance in the respiratory microbiome.
Currently…
I oversee laboratory operations at the John van Geest Cancer Research Centre at Nottingham Trent University, ensuring health and safety compliance, maintaining quality control standards, and supporting various research projects. I assist research Fellows and project managers in conducting clinical trials, commercial projects and multidisciplinary collaborations.
The best thing about my job is…
Assisting with so many interesting projects conducted by researchers and PhD students. Working in cancer research is fascinating because it is always evolving, with discoveries that have a significant impact on human health and society at large.
A pivotal point in my career was…
Deciding to return to university, this year, to study veterinary medicine at the University of Liverpool. This decision marked a shift from a lab-based position to a more hands-on, clinical role. I’m excited to start this journey as I can combine my research experience with practical veterinary care.
In the future, I hope to…
Work at the interface of veterinary medicine and human research, contributing to advancements in both fields and promoting the One Health approach.
A key piece of advice is…
To develop strong communication skills alongside your scientific training. Communicating with colleagues is as important as conducting experiments for a productive working environment. Clearly articulating your research ensures your work is understood and appreciated, which can lead to a broader impact and increased interest from others.
