Meet the Team

Senior Management Team

Director of Laboratory Services

David Charvill

BSc

David graduated from the University of Liverpool and did a post-graduate course in Industrial Biotechnology. He started his career in R&D at Invitrogen and then moved into project management. Prior to joining the business, David was a co-founder and Director of Operations at Biofortuna. He worked with SMEs and multinational companies to help develop IVD products from concept to market. Through these interactions, he has gained experience in Regulatory, Quality and Manufacturing, spanning across sectors such as clinical diagnostics, animal health, environmental and biothreat.

Head of Operations

Sandra Wells

BSc (Hons) Applied Biology with Biochemistry

Sandra graduated from Coventry University as a Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) in Applied Biology with Biochemistry and then did a post-graduate course at Lancaster University in Molecular Biology. Sandra has held several management positions, including Head of Biochemistry, Laboratory manager and Group Quality manager. She is a strategic thinker with a dynamic approach to problem-solving and has a demonstrated history of working in the veterinary industry. She is responsible for the smooth running of operations across NationWide Laboratories sites, including people, core operations, project delivery and strategy. What she loves most about her job is the engagement and development of people, ensuring teams are working collaboratively to continuously improve processes to deliver the best results helping you to help your clients.

Business Development Manager

Andrew Pritchett

BSc (Hons) Microbiology

Andrew graduated from the University of Leeds as a Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) in Microbiology. He started his career in the Haematology Department of Nationwide Laboratories and has progressed through numerous management positions, including Laboratory Manager and Quality Manager, over the last 15 years. Andrew has also spent a couple of years in the Forensic Science field before returning to Nationwide Laboratories as Business Development Manager. He is an experienced Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the veterinary industry, skilled in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), ISO17025, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Project Management, Validation and Quality Management.

Department Heads

Head of Clinical Microbiology

Rebecca Helders

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

Rebecca has worked at Nationwide Laboratories for over 20 years. The majority of her service has been within the clinical and food microbiology sections, although during her time at the lab she was able to rotate and train in other departments whilst studying and graduating with a First-Class honours degree from UCLAN in Biomedical science. She has a good understanding of quality systems and has been actively involved with UKAS accreditation/working to ISO17025 since starting at the laboratory. She has been able to apply this experience to the food industry over the years and has been able to offer support to clients with regards to HACCP food safety programs as well as providing audit support for companies using external accreditation bodies such as BRC and Red Tractor Assurance. Rebecca has a keen interest in veterinary microbiology, especially with regards to antimicrobial stewardship, and is always actively looking for ways to improve our microbiology services.

Head of Clinical Microbiology

Michelle Pittilla

BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

Michelle graduated from the University of Central Lancashire as a Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) in Biomedical Science. She is experienced in clinical microbiology and oversees her team daily, working with patient samples and checking the safety of water and environmental samples. She particularly enjoys training new team members and imparting more detailed knowledge onto them to help them better understand their job and the reasons why they do it: it is all about going that extra mile to help our clients.

Head of Biochemistry Department

Sara Unwin

BSc (Hons) Microbiology and Biochemistry

Sara graduated from the University of Central Lancashire as a Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) in Microbiology with Biochemistry and has worked at Nationwide Laboratories for over 25 years. Her favourite and most rewarding part of the job is processing the samples to the UKAS accreditation requirements, maintaining these standards, and then releasing results, therefore, knowing that her team has made a positive impact on animals' lives and their well-being.

Head of Haematology Department

Hannah Browning

BSc (Hons) Forensic Science and Biomedical Science

Hannah graduated from the University of Central Lancashire as a Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) in Forensic Science and Biomedical Science. She has a real passion for haematology. As well as overseeing a team of scientists, her role involves performing blood film reviews, additional haematology testing, and ensuring the results meet the quality standards, but what Hannah loves most is that her work directly supports the diagnosis and treatment of animals.

Head of Marketing and Communications

Alina Zheleznyakova

Alina has a university degree with honours in linguistics and international communications and nearly two decades of experience in B2B marketing. She has proven herself as a strategically thinking person with a pragmatic approach to problem-solving combined with excellent communication skills, creativity and a good sense of humour. She loves her job because it focusses on raising awareness of the great work our laboratory teams do for the welfare of animals and One Health. Her efforts don’t go unnoticed! In 2023 the team won the prestigious Veterinary Marketing Association award for their Lifestyle Campaign.

Clinical Pathologists

CLINICAL PATHOLOGIST

Dr Stacey A Newton

BVSc FRCPath CertEM (Int Med) PhD MRCVS

Stacey graduated from Bristol in 1993. After building up experience in general practice, she became a resident in equine medicine at Leahurst, Liverpool University. She was awarded a certificate in equine medicine (internal) in 1997. Stacey then went on to complete her PhD in equine neuroanatomy and neurology in 2001. She was awarded her FRCPath in 2010.

CLINICAL PATHOLOGIST

Alina Bodnariu

DVM MSc PhD FRCPath MRCVS

Alina graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Bucharest in 2004. Following her postgraduate studies, she worked for two years in small animal general practice in the UK. In 2010 she undertook a residency in Veterinary Clinical Pathology within a commercial laboratory, with regular training at the Royal Veterinary College. She was awarded her FRCPath in 2016. She enjoys all aspects of clinical pathology, in particular cytology, haematology and endocrinology.

TRAINEE CLINICAL PATHOLOGIST

Jana Leontescu

BSc, MRCVS

Jana is a qualified veterinary surgeon. She studied veterinary medicine in the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Romania. After working for a few years in a practice both in Romania and in the UK, she realised that her interest lies in veterinary science. She took a job at NationWide Laboratories’ microbiology department with a specialist interest in parasitology. As her career progressed, Jana became a Trainee Clinical Pathologist working towards her ambition to become a Boarded Clinical Pathologist.

TRAINEE CLINICAL PATHOLOGIST

Jasmine Chan

BVetMed, BSc (Hon) CompPath, MRCVS

Jasmine is a qualified veterinarian with a special interest in clinical pathology. Since starting her career as a veterinarian, Jasmine has particularly enjoyed demonstrating her skills in cytology using in-house facilities. Apart from the routine consultations and performing surgeries, the ability to share her pathology knowledge with others in practice has brough her greatest satisfactions at work. After spending four years in practice, Jasmine joined NationWide Laboratories as a Trainee Clinical Pathologist to pursue her passion in pathology and apply her previous research and clinical experience in the laboratory setting.

TRAINEE CLINICAL PATHOLOGIST

Paulina Maria Wozniak

DVM, MRCVS

Paulina graduated of University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland. At the beginning of her career as a veterinary surgeon, she was gaining experience in a multiple Polish and English veterinary facilities, what resulted in developing passion for clinical pathology, especially cytology. For the past few years, she was also working in one of the biggest Polish veterinary laboratories, where she was one of the head cytologists, holding responsibility for reporting cytology cases. In the meantime, she participated in multiple, international cytology courses. She started her career as a Trainee Clinical Pathologist to perfect her cytology skills and clinical pathology knowledge, what always was her main professional goal.

Anatomic Pathologists

Anatomic Pathologist

Trevor Whitbread

BSc BVSc DipECVP MRCVS

Trevor was in a mixed practice in Leicester before returning to Liverpool as a lecturer in the Department of Veterinary Pathology. He gained experience in general diagnostic pathology and clinical chemistry before specialising in histopathology and cytology. He has a special interest in dermatopathology and is now a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Pathology.

Anatomic Pathologist

Kerry Freel

BVMS GPCert (SAS) FRCPath MRCVS

Kerry graduated from the University of Glasgow Veterinary School in 1999. After 5 years in mixed practice, she undertook a residency in anatomical pathology at the Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies where she gained experience in gross postmortem, histological and cytological evaluation of tissues from all domestic species, wildlife and exotics. She was awarded her Dip RCPath in 2008 and after a short spell as a pathologist at Glasgow University Veterinary School, she obtained her FRCpath in 2010 when she joined the laboratory full-time. She is also a senior examiner in Veterinary Anatomical Pathology with the Royal College of Pathologists.

Anatomic Pathologist

Sandra Dawson

BSc BVMS FRCPath MRCVS

Sandra is a graduate of Aberdeen and Glasgow Universities, gaining a BSc in agriculture with honours in animal science in 1991 and her veterinary degree in 1995. She moved from working in mixed practice in 1997 to take up a residency in veterinary pathology at Edinburgh University, latterly lecturing in reproductive pathology. After 5 years in industry, where she gained her FRCPath, Sandra joined Nationwide Laboratories in May 2006. In 2011 Sandra was appointed to the Royal College of Pathologists board of examiners in the speciality of small domestic animals. She enjoys teaching and mentoring and is an active STEM ambassador. Sandra works with surgical biopsies and fine needle aspirates. She can advise on all aspects of histopathology in a wide range of species.

Anatomic Pathologist

Malcolm Silkstone

BVSc DiplACVP MRCVS

After qualifying in South Africa, Malcolm had a period of post-graduate pathology training which was followed by three years in general practice in the UK. Malcolm has obtained extensive diagnostic pathology experience over the past twelve years culminating in gaining American Board Diplomate status. He has specialist interests in oncology and dermatopathology and infectious diseases.

Anatomic Pathologist

Karina Fresneda

DVM DiplACVP

Karina graduated from the National University of the Centre of Buenos Aires Province in Argentina in 2000, and after two years of training, she became a Specialist in Anatomo-histopathological Veterinary Diagnosis. She has been teaching in Infectious Diseases at the same University for 15 years. At the same time, she was gaining experience, on her clinic and laboratory, as a clinician and working on clinical pathology, cytology, and histopathology. She took a 3-year Residency in Anatomic Veterinary Pathology in the University of California, Davis, where she received intensive training on this field. She also enjoys teaching different courses on clinical pathology, cytology, and histopathology.

Anatomic Pathologist

Dr Marvin Firth

BVSc (Hons.), DipRCPath, DipFMS, AFHEA, MRSB, MRCVS

Marvin graduated from Liverpool in 2009 with honours and distinction. He has gained experience in first and second opinion small, large animal and equine practice throughout the south of England and has undertaken research in pregnancy loss in mares. Marvin has undertaken a variety of externships in anatomic pathology including in the US and Europe and has undertaken residency training at Cambridge and Surrey universities. In 2019, Marvin obtained the Diploma in Forensic Medical Sciences and is studying towards the ACVP and Royal College of Pathologist’s board certifications, achieving DipRCPath and ACVP Phase 1 in 2022. He is the RC Pathologists Trainee representative in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology.

Associate Pathologists & Consultants

Associate Pathologist / Consultant

Dr Peter Graham

BVMS PhD CertVR DipECVCP MRCVS

Peter graduated from Glasgow in 1989; he is a clinical pathologist and endocrinologist with an international reputation. Following his post-graduate studies, he was appointed as a lecturer in Veterinary Clinical Pathology at Glasgow. Before joining the laboratory, he was Assistant Professor and Section Chief of the endocrinology section of the Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory at Michigan State University, recognised as the world’s largest endocrinology laboratory. His particular professional interests include internal medicine and clinical pathology. In addition, Peter has an impressive bibliography and is a popular speaker at veterinary meetings throughout the world.

Associate Pathologist / Consultant

Madonna Livingstone

BVMS MRCVS

Madonna qualified from Glasgow Vet School in 2002. She currently has an exotics case load of 70% including both first opinion and referral. Madonna speaks widely in the U.K. on exotic animal medicine and surgery, is an exotics lecturer and rabbit surgery instructor for Glasgow University Veterinary School, has a diploma in parrot behaviour, has been published several times on exotic species, is the chair of an ethical committee for two zoological collections and was the past chair of Scottish Region of BSAVA. She has extensive knowledge of exotic species and is always happy to help with cases.

Associate Pathologist / Consultant

Cheryl Scudamore

BVSc PhD FRCPath FRCVS

Cheryl is an RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Pathology with a wide range of experience in diagnostic, experimental and toxicological pathology. She has worked as a pathologist for NWL, MRC Harwell, RVC, R(D)SVS, GSK and Covance and currently works as an independent consultant. She has special interests in small mammal pets and laboratory animals. She is an examiner for the FRCPath and an elected member of RCVS Council.

Associate Pathologist / Consultant

Susan Kirwan

BVMS FRCPath MRCVS

Sue graduated from the University of Glasgow Veterinary School in 1988 and spent the following 12 years in small animal and exotic practice. She joined us in 2000 and brought a wealth of knowledge and clinical experience to the laboratory. Her practitioner-orientated approach to interpretations has proved popular with clients. Sue is especially interested in dermatology, haematology, cytology, and feline medicine. She was awarded her FRCPath in 2009.

Wider Team

Our clients are also supported by a dedicated professional team of laboratory scientists, technicians, territory managers, customer excellence representatives and finance people. Let’s hear what some of them say…

Laboratory Technician

Alan Garnett

Laboratory Technician

Account Manager

Catriona Bailey

Account Manager

Sales Team

Our team of territory managers are trained to advise and assist you throughout your journey; always on hand to provide the right solutions for your practice and help you fulfil your healthcare and business objectives.

Sales Team

Mel Whittaker

Head of Sales (South)

Sales Team

Nik Watson

Head of Sales (North)

Customer Support

Client Services

Jeannie Williamson

Client Services

Customer Excellence Manager

Jean Wynne

Customer Excellence Manager

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