Dr Sarah Ball BSc (Hons), PhD, FRCPath
Clinical Scientist Genetics
Dr Sarah Ball graduated in 1980 from the University of York with a BSc in Biology followed in 1984 with a PhD in Human Genetics from the Galton Laboratory, University College London. After two post-doctoral research-associate posts, first at the MRC Human Biochemical Genetics Unit in London and then the Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford. Sarah was appointed as Lecturer in Molecular Genetics at Exeter University in 1987 where her research focussed on human gene mapping and the genetics of malignant hyperthermia.
In 1993 Sarah made a career change from academe into clinical science and diagnostics when she moved to the Northern Genetics Service at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne. Here as a Principal Clinical Scientist she was involved in setting up molecular genetic diagnostic services for inherited cancers. Whilst in Newcastle Sarah gained her HCPC registration as a Clinical Scientist in Molecular Genetics and DipRCPath in Genetics. In 2001 she moved to the Leicestershire Genetics Service at Leicester Royal Infirmary as head of the molecular genetics laboratory. In 2005 she moved to the West Midlands Inherited Metabolic Disorders Service at Birmingham Children’s Hospital to develop the use of molecular genetic diagnostics for inborn errors of metabolism. Sarah was awarded FRCPath in genetics in 2009.
In addition to these substantive posts Sarah has taken professional roles of responsibility as an inspector for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority and as external examiner in Genetics and Human Genetics for University College London. For many years she was a member of the Steering Group for UK NEQAS for Molecular Genetics and also served as a member of the Royal College of Pathology Scientific Advisory Group on Genetics and Clinical Embryology.
Sarah joined Micropathology Ltd in February 2014.