Running as part of National Pathology Week (NPW) 2026, the event celebrates the NPW 2026 theme, 'Welcome to the Lab' by inviting anyone with an interest in working in medicine or science to join our expert speakers to find out what it’s like to work in immunology.

Immunology is one of 17 specialties in pathology, the study of disease. Pathologists are medically or scientifically qualified and work in hospitals and laboratories with other doctors and healthcare professionals to prevent, diagnose and treat disease.
Chaired by RCPath Vice President for Communications, Dr Noha El Sakka, this webinar features two speakers: Speciality Registrar, Dr Anne Boulton and Consultant Immunologist, Dr Patrick Yong.

The speakers will explain what immunology is and why it is important to healthcare. They’ll also share their personal journeys into the specialty including their education and training, as well as their day-to-day work including any research they do.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask speakers questions. This online event is free, but registration is essential. Book your place via the booking button to the right.

There are 12 webinars on different careers and topics in pathology running during NPW 2026. See more details on the NPW page.

To find out more about careers in pathology visit our careers pages.

Meet the speakers

Chair: Dr Noha El Sakka

Dr El Sakka obtained a PhD in 2005 at the University of Aberdeen, followed by 2 years of post-doctoral research in the field of infection. Following completion of the FRCPath and Medical Microbiology training in 2015, Dr El Sakka was appointed a Consultant Microbiologist at NHS Grampian and an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen. She held the role of Director of Medical Microbiology and Virology service in Grampian between 2017-2023 and is currently the Director of Laboratory service in Grampian.
She was appointed to various national roles including Specialist Advisor to Scotland CMO and to the Scottish Government (2018-23), Chair of the Scottish Clinical Virology Consultants Group and Chair of the Scottish Diagnostic Virology Group. In December 2021, she was also elected a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh.
In addition to her role as the RCPath Vice President for Communications, Dr El Sakka is also a member of the RCPath Scotland Regional Council and a member of the Joint Medical Microbiology and Virology Speciality Advisory Committee and is the RCPath country advisor for Egypt.
In June 2022, Dr El Sakka was awarded an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list for her services to the NHS and the COVID-19 response.

Speakers: Dr Anne Boulton and Dr Patrick Yong
 

Anne is an Immunology and Allergy trainee in Cambridge. She graduated from the University of Cambridge and has interests in research and medical education.