Tissue bank manager. Name: Tammy PiperCategory: StaffRole: Tissue bank managerTime active with Edinburgh Medical School: 2006 - present Every breast cancer tissue sample that a patient contributes to one of our clinical trials is processed in the same way. This helps us build a robust biobank that our colleagues can use to learn more about how to treat cancer. Working in a university, we are all small parts in a huge machine. To make progress in cancer discoveries, each part needs the other. As an undergraduate, Tammy Piper studied marine and freshwater biology, graduating from Aberystwyth University in Wales. It was during her postgraduate masters degree in cellular pathology at the University of West of England that she discovered the career potential of being in the lab and went on to qualify as a biomedical scientist. Today, as a tissue bank manager, Tammy is responsible for the patient samples that are used in translational breast cancer research. She is currently working on new digital and artificial intelligence techniques to analyse historic tissue samples. Her work contributes to progress in treating cancer. Tammy actively promotes science careers to school pupils through outreach events and uses her own experience of living in care to mentor care-experienced students. This article was published on 2026-03-12
