Professor Sarah Coupland has extensive clinical experience in ophthalmic pathology, haematopathology, molecular pathology, digital pathology and biobanking. She is currently the Ophthalmic Pathology co-Lead of 1 of the 4 supra regional NHSE eye pathology services at Liverpool Clinical Laboratories. She also leads the world renowned Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group, delivering high impact research focused on ocular melanomas and lymphomas. From 2014 to 2019, she was Director of the North West Cancer Research Centre at the University of Liverpool.

She is also the current President of the Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland and actively promotes academic pathology. Sarah additionally brings international experience as a past President of the International Society of Ophthalmic Pathology.

Sarah brings over 16 years of experience with the Royal College of Pathologists to the role of President, contributing to College publications, training and webinars. She has also held senior strategic roles, including Vice President for Communications and, most recently, College Registrar.

Sarah undertook her undergraduate medical studies in Sydney, Australia (UNSW), before completing her PhD at the University of Sydney. She moved to Germany, where she completed her pathology training and worked as a consultant pathologist at the Charité University Hospital Benjamin Franklin in Berlin. In 2005, Sarah moved to the UK with her husband and 3 children. Outside work, she enjoys cycling, music and photography.

Professor Sarah Coupland said:

`Pathology underpins modern healthcare, yet our specialty faces significant workforce, workload and resource pressures. As President, my priority is to work with members across all specialties, both across the UK and internationally, to strengthen pathology services and champion our essential role in patient care. My focus will be to accelerate the six strategic aims of the College’s Workforce Strategy, concentrating on training the next generation of pathologists, retaining our established workforce and reforming our ways of working.

I would also like to very much thank Dr Bernie Croal for his outstanding leadership as President and for the strong foundation on which we will continue to build.'

’ Dr Bernie Croal, President of the Royal College of Pathologists, said:

`I am delighted that Professor Sarah Coupland has been elected as the next College President. Sarah brings a breadth of experience, from her outstanding clinical work to her many influential leadership roles. She also has an excellent and long standing record of working with the College. I know she will make a tremendous contribution in this role.’

Professor Coupland will begin her role as President at the AGM at the end of November 2026.