Episode 4 - Toxicology and mental health with Nigel Brown & Jayanta Brahma

In February’s edition of IBMS POD, we delve into the fascinating specialism of Toxicology. Nigel Brown is a consultant clinical toxicologist whose career spans four decades. He gives us an insight into his role, which includes undertaking routine drug screening to confirm a doctors’ hypothesis about what a patient might have ingested; monitoring alcohol poisoning, where urgent action is required to prevent death from anti-freeze consumption and assisting coroners with post-mortems. Nigel also discusses how he works closely with the police and social services in cases where people are arrested or tragically, where children need to be taken into care. In this month's LabLife, Plymouth-based Biomedical Scientist and Triathlete Jayanta Brahma opens-up about how the tragic loss of his best friend inspired him to complete record-breaking fitness challenges. In his quest to raise awareness and funds for the Brain Tumour Charity, MIND & Sarcoma UK, he’s rock-climbed the height of Olympus Mons on Mars - the solar’s systems tallest mountain and completed the Iron Man Triathlon – a mammoth 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bicycle ride and 26.22-mile run. Also features IBMS News- a round-up of all the latest headlines from the IBMS. Show Notes: Episode outline: 0:14 - IBMS News 1:45 - Interview with Special Guest Nigel Brown 17:47 - Quick-fire question round 20:21 - LabLife with Jayanta Brahma Links to further resources: IBMS News: Nominations open for Biomedical Scientist of the Year: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/biomedical-scientist-of-the-year-2021/ President Allan Wilson receives position as visiting professor: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/ibms-president-receives-position-as-visiting-professor/ New IBMS Mentoring Scheme: https://ibms.onpld.com/ Science Council launches 'Glowing CPD' campaign: https://www.ibms.org/resources/news/science-council-launches-glowing-cpd-campaign/ LabLife: Jayanta Brahma scales height of Olympus Mons: https://thebiomedicalscientist.net/science/scientist-scales-solar-systems-tallest-mountain Iron Man 2018 for Eddie: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/spengler