Lab Innovations presents its podcast ’Lab Matters’ with our host Harriet Gould talking about the laboratory industry with a weekly guest. Tune in to hear exclusive insights, opinions, stories, and more!
S6 E3: Helen Pearson on Evidence, Trust and the Research That Could Save Lives
Helen Pearson is an award-winning journalist, editor at Nature, and honorary professor at UCL - and her new book, Beyond Belief, asks a question that feels more urgent than ever: why don't we follow the evidence, even when it could save lives?
In this episode, we trace Helen's journey from a comprehensive school in Essex to Cambridge, Edinburgh and the pages of the world's most influential science journal. She talks about the culture shock of Oxbridge, why she turned down a New Scientist internship to finish her PhD, and how a career questionnaire once told her to become a quarry manager.
We also dive into Beyond Belief - the story of the evidence revolution sweeping medicine, education, government and beyond - and Helen shares one of the book's most powerful and sobering stories: how 50,000 infant deaths might have been prevented if the research had been properly synthesised decades earlier.
28 Jul 2026
S6 E2: How science is helping protect one of the UK’s most important crops
In this episode of Lab Matters, we speak to Dr Rachel Wells, senior scientist and honorary professor at the John Innes Centre, about the science behind protecting oilseed rape in the UK.
Rachel shares how her career evolved from an early interest in veterinary science to a deep focus on plant genetics, crop resilience and sustainable agriculture. The conversation explores the impact of pesticide withdrawal, the growing threat of cabbage stem flea beetle, and how researchers are using genetics, breeding and integrated pest management to protect a crop that plays an important role in the UK food system.
16 Jul 2026
S6 E1: The Life Sciences Startup That Almost Never Happened
Season 6 starts with the story behind one of the UK's most successful life science startups.
In this episode of Lab Matters, Harriet talks to Paul Colbon, CEO of Liverpool ChiroChem (now LLC Technologies), about his journey from chemistry student to entrepreneur, building a company from the ground up, navigating investment, leading through uncertainty and ultimately achieving a successful acquisition.
Along the way, Paul reflects on the lessons he's learned about leadership, resilience, innovation and the people who helped shape his career.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
23,778
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
12
Social presence
0
YouTube
72
Engagement
60
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