Author: Gordon Short

From Pea moth to policy: a woman’s journey in Safety, Sustainability and Science

Sally Campbell

“I want to enable people to get their work done confidently and safely, rather than putting up barriers.”

Profile written by Anna Napolitano

Sally Campbell, Safety and Compliance Manager in Central Biomedical Services (CBS), has built a career defined by curiosity, creativity and genuine care for people. Today she plays a key role in ensuring Imperial’s animal research is carried out safely and responsibly, but her journey began in a very different place.

An unexpected call

Sally began her career in 1973 as a research assistant at what is now Rothamsted Research, focusing on pea moths. Just a year later, the UK’s Health & Safety at Work Act reshaped how research laboratories operated — and subtly redirected Sally’s own career. (more…)

Mhairi Finlayson: Reading the Sun’s magnetic story

Mhairi Finlayson wearing a dark blue collared shirt stands outdoors at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with green grass and shrubland behind them. Several tall launch structures and towers are visible in the distance under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

“I hope I’m contributing, even in a small way, to answering the big question of how the Sun works and how it influences Earth.”

Mhairi Finlayson is a Data Scientist working on the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP), a spacecraft launched in September 2025. IMAP is a NASA mission and Imperial is leading on the probe’s magnetometer, one of ten scientific instruments on the probe. (more…)

Amandip Bisel: Passionate about improving students’ experience

Amandip Bisel

“The thing that gets me up in the morning is knowing I can make a difference – not just through my own work, but by facilitating others to support students.” 

Amandip Bisel joined Imperial in August 2024 as Head of Education and Student Experience Strategy Projects in the Education Office. With a background in widening participation and a PhD from Imperial, she is passionate about improving students’ experience at Imperial regardless of their background. 

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Enterprise Lab: Empowering entrepreneurship at Imperial

Sarah Ranchev-Hale and Ben Mumby-Croft

“It’s not only that Imperial is super professional and super high performance, but it’s just got an amazing culture and community which is bursting with creative energy.” 

The Enterprise Lab is Imperial’s dedicated support service for students, staff and alumni who want to develop their entrepreneurial mindset, skills, and networks. Ben Mumby-Croft, Director of Entrepreneurship, and Sarah Ranchev-Hale, Head of Enterprise Lab, support Imperial founders to build their ideas, create successful businesses, and deliver solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.  (more…)

Satpal Sangha: Making design concepts a reality

Satpal Singha

“At Imperial there are lots of opportunities to be creative.”

Satpal Sangha is a Research Design and Manufacturing Manager in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He has worked at Imperial since 2012.

Consultant for all mechanical engineering design projects

Satpal has been in his current role since 2023, managing a team of seven technicians at a workshop in the City and Guilds Building. The team supports a wide range of academics and researchers, playing a vital role in making their projects a reality. (more…)

Student Mental Health Advice team: Creating a safe space to talk

Left to right: Iain Boyd, Danielle Peiris and Joe McCoy

“The most rewarding thing about our work is seeing students grow in confidence and self-assuredness.”

Senior Student Mental Health Advisor Iain Boyd and Advisors Danielle Peiris and Joe McCoy work to support students with ongoing complex mental health issues. These can include symptoms including depression or anxiety, or conditions such as psychosis, bipolar or eating disorders.

The team offers ongoing support to students over multiple sessions, enabling the team to really get to know their students and build strong therapeutic relationships. They can also support students to navigate other support systems, such as GPs and the NHS, to enable them to get the help they need. (more…)

Nico Henry: Representation and championing inclusivity

Celebrating Disability History Month Nico Henry in front of the Imperial College Union

“People have different disabilities and a lot of them are very hidden. If anyone has any issues, including accessibility issues or anything they want to discuss – I’m here.”

Nico Henry is Deputy President (Welfare) for Imperial College Union, having recently completed his undergraduate degree in theoretical physics.

Championing the students’ union

While he was studying, he didn’t know much about Imperial’s student union or what they did. Now he is on a mission to promote the great work that goes on and speak to as many students as possible.

“Every other Friday I am going to be outside the Senior Common Room at lunchtime. Come along – ask us what we’re up to, leave some feedback or complain. We’re here!”

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Lewis Turner: subject matter expert on all things international mobility

Lewis Turner with helicopter in Himalayas

“Given my background and experiences, I feel like I have mobility in my blood.”

Lewis Turner is our International Mobility Manager, leading the International Mobility Team (IMT). He joined Imperial in spring 2022.

Advisors on all things international

The International Mobility Team (IMT) advises on ‘all things international’ and include members from HR, Compliance, and Payroll & Pensions. (more…)

Comfort Oluwakoya: Upholding Black voices

“I want Black and minority ethnic students to know that they belong at Imperial and that there’s a place here for them.”

Comfort Oluwakoya is a third year Medical student and is Imperial College Union’s current Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Officer.

Upholding Black voices

Comfort was driven to become the union’s BME Officer as she believes it is vital Black students having a seat at the table and she wants to provide a Black role model for new students. (more…)

Alex Stepney, Facility Manager, Central Biomedical Services 

Alex Stepney, Facility Manager, Central Biomedical Services

“I have always been fascinated by the essential role that animal research plays in the mainstream discoveries we see in the media.” 

I have worked in the animal research industry for 32 years, over half of which has been at Imperial College London. I started my career journey in this industry as an Animal Technician in 1992. I believe good connections between the researchers and animal facility staff are critical for the progress of science and the welfare of animals, and my career path has been based on this belief.  

I also believe that continued learning and development help to promote staff engagement. Therefore, I train my staff to meet the highest standards of animal welfare. I encourage staff to talk to the researchers they work with, visit their lab meetings, and attend seminars to understand the research conducted in our facilities. This enables discussions on how improvements can be made to their studies, like housing, habituation, or experimental techniques. It also allows us to offer additional training to improve animal welfare.     (more…)