BNMS recent highlights: on the global stage

I hope everyone is enjoying the summer season. As I ease back into work, I’ve found myself reflecting on the past six months, a period marked by immense lows and unexpected highs, including four weddings that kept me on the move!  

Three weeks ago, I attended the beautiful wedding of Dr Guglielmo La Tore and Dr Ines Costa in Portugal, a union brought together by nuclear medicine (NM). Many of our NM colleagues joined in the celebrations. Guglielmo, a former student of mine, was the BNMS Young Investigator Prize winner and the founding force behind the BNMS Student Committee and Membership nearly a decade ago. Ines, who used to work as a NM technologist, recently completed her PhD at KCL. Together, they truly embody brilliance and kindness, my heartfelt congratulations once again! Their story is a moving reminder of how nuclear medicine can bring us together in life, love, and work. 

While there, I had the chance to catch up with many BNMS members, including a helpful chat with Marisa Botelho Cruz from the Autumn Meeting local organising committee. So here is a gentle reminder: abstract submissions are due by 4th August, so do get yours in!

BNMS at SNMMI 2025 – New Orleans  

Our multiprofessional approach and patient-centred focus were proudly represented at SNMMI through a vibrant session on Targeted Radionuclide Therapy (TRT) / Molecular Radiotherapy (MRT). Presentations included: 

• Jilly Croasdale – strategic pathways for optimising patient services 
• Jo Weekes – growth of advanced practice roles across disciplines 
• Richard Fernandez – radiation protection challenges in high-risk therapy 
• Myself – therapeutic sequencing and combined treatment in prostate cancer.

I was thrilled to learn that my presentation was recognized as the Top Story of the Meeting by SNMMI SmartBrief! This delightful news was brought to my attention by Prof. Ralph McCready and Prof. Vineet Prakash—thank you both for sharing it with me. If you’d like to read more, here’s the link to the article: 
SNMMI SmartBrief – Top Story 

A lively panel Q&A explored biomarkers, training, accreditation, regulation, and international collaboration. On terminology: while SNMMI/EANM favour ‘TRT’, NHS 
commissioning recognises ‘MRT’ - watch this space for future harmonisation efforts.

Research Recognition

• Dr John Dickson shared pilot results of the EANM/EARL standard for quantitative Lu-177 SPECT-CT imaging, paving the way for full accreditation. 
• I presented final analysis from the global multicentre REASSURE study (150 centres), eight-year patient’s outcomes for Radium-223 therapy, now the longest 
outcome study of any radiotherapeutic agent. 

Education & Global Perspectives

Luísa Roldao Pereira’s presentation on Theranostics and Advanced Practice explored how evolving technologies are reshaping not only patient care, but career pathways too, allowing technologists to work more closely with physicians to support and care for patients and actively lead therapeutic journeys. 

The World Federation of Nuclear Medicine and Biology also delivered an inspiring session, featuring President-Elect Dr Gopinath Gnanasegaran’s presentation on advancing NM education globally. 

Personal Honours & Congratulations 

• Professor Alan Perkins PhD, HonFRCP, MBE was awarded an MBE for services to clinical science — the first clinical scientist to serve as BNMS President, Alan’s 
impact continues to shape our field. 
• Earlier this year, Professor Jamshed Bomanji received an OBE for his outstanding contributions to global NM and the NHS. Two distinguished honours in one year — 
how proud we are of our BNMS community! 

As we approach the BNMS 60th Anniversary, I’m so grateful to all who have shared ideas and energy — here’s to continuing our historic journey and forging a bright, united future together. 

Warmest wishes

Prof Sabina Dizdarevic

BNMS President