ASM 2026 Programme and Speaker Biographies

Andrew Smith is Professor of Clinical Bacteriology & Honorary Consultant Microbiologist for NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde. For the last 11 years he was Director of the Bacterial Respiratory Infections Service, Scottish Microbiology Reference Laboratory (SMiRL), Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Currently the lead Microbiologist for Medical Device Decontamination in NHS GGC.

Specialist editor of the Journal of Hospital Infection. Served as a long standing member of several National Scottish groups co-ordinating improvement in decontamination across CSSD’s, Endoscopy, Podiatry and Dental services.

Aside from a PhD, FDS RCS and FRCPath he has also completed by examination the Advanced Course in Sterilisation Technology administered by the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate Management.

Peer reviewed publications total over 160 and approximately 3 million pounds in research funding as a Principal or Co-Investigator. An example of a relevant recent publication is Pajak-Zajac et al., Drain decontamination using in-situ generated ozone. Journal of Hospital Infection 2025.

When not decontaminating can be found pushing the pedals around South Glasgow.

The Principal Decontamination Engineer working within the specialist team at NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership/Specialist Estates Services. His role is dedicated to all aspects of decontamination/reprocessing techniques of medical devices. John is a member of a team that provides validation services, advice and guidance to Health Boards/Trusts within Wales and works closely with Welsh governmental departments to deliver policy and strategy in this unique and often complex field.

John has worked within the NHS in Wales for the past 35 years.

In 2012 John completed the ACIST course (qualifying course for Authorised Engineer – Decontamination) and was formally accepted onto the IHEEM register as an Authorised Engineer (Decontamination) late 2013.

He was a member and Officer of the CSC committee between 2011 and 2022, recently taking up the position of Chair in April 2024.

Jim contributes knowledge as a Head of Estates within the NHS for 20 years, and overall NHS experience of 30 years. Having completed the AED competency framework and consequently added to the AE(D) register.

Jim is now running a limited company providing AE(D) services and consultancy to healthcare organisations in the UK and EU.

Jincy Jerry is the Director of Infection Prevention and Control at NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Scotland.

She has expertise in clinical disinfection, decontamination, surveillance, outbreak management, and healthcare ventilation. Jincy was awarded the “Hospital Manager of the Year 2020” by Irish Healthcare Awards for her outstanding leadership and inspirational vision. Jincy is a pioneer in the application of robotic process automation (RPA) in clinical settings in Irish healthcare. Jincy is a driving force in innovation and so far have gathered three ICPIC Innovation Academy Awards in 2021 and 2023, Bright Spark Award in 2022. Out of more than 52,000 candidates from around the world, Jincy was chosen as a Top 10 Finalist for the Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award in 2023.

Michelle’s career in pharmaceuticals and medical devices started in 1990. She is currently the Head of Public Affairs at Boston Scientific.

Through roles in sales, management, marketing, and market development, Michelle has followed the needs of the current market by re-training in Health Economics, adding the value ‘spectacles’ and ‘hearing-aids’ necessary in today’s world.

A graduate of the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership, it is her goal to make this topic simple to understand and execute within the healthcare sector.

She sits on the Board of the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI), chairs the ABHI Sustainability working group and is on the Sustainable Transition Committee at Med Tech Europe.

Helen trained and worked in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service from 1980-1985. 

Starting in Endoscopy in 1990 Helen progressed to sister of the unit and following completion of her master’s degree became a specialist nurse and clinical endoscopist. 

Helen advanced to the role of Nurse consultant and completed her doctorate in 2010. During this time, she had a part time secondment as National Nurse Advisor to the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme in England, helping to set up the programme. 

Helen was the decontamination and TSE advisor for the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG) for 13 years and still takes an active interest in decontamination and supporting training and education, and has lectured nationally and internationally, including with the late, great Tina Bradley. 

Helen has also worked for JAG for twenty-seven years as a Lead Assessor and is currently the Lead Nurse for JAG. Now semi-retired (supposedly) she still works as a clinical endoscopist and supports staff and services maintain safe and high-quality services. 

Vicky Gentry MSc, BSc (Hons), RGN

Infection Prevention Nurse Consultant, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Vicky initially graduated from Cardiff University with a BSc (Hons) in Microbiology, with subsequent laboratory experience in the NHS and private sector, before completing her nurse training at the University of Surrey. Since qualifying as a RGN, she has acquired a wide range of nursing experience in both community and acute healthcare settings. Her interest in Infection Prevention developed whilst working as a Trauma and Orthopaedics nurse, providing care for patients who had acquired multi-drug-resistant surgical site infections.

Vicky has been working as an Infection Prevention Nurse since 2004, and since 2019, has led the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust IPC Team, as Infection Prevention Nurse Consultant. Her areas of interest lie in epidemiology and prevention of healthcare-associated infection, and innovations in the healthcare built environment to reduce the risk of antimicrobial resistance.

Dan Collins is Technical Development Manager at Serchem Limited, a UK healthcare decontamination chemistry specialist based in Telford. With nearly two decades of experience spanning NHS frontline Sterile Services and Endoscopy, he brings a rare combination of clinical insight and technical expertise to the field. At Serchem, Dan leads technical customer relationship management and business development, with a particular focus on automated endoscope reprocessing chemistry.

Rebecca (Becky) Hill is a specialist in water quality assurance, infection prevention and control, and environmental hygiene with more than 30 years’ experience across healthcare, decontamination, consultancy, and workforce development. She is the creator of Spotless, an innovative scenario‑based vocational learning tool supported by a Ufi VocTech Trust grant. Becky is a published co‑author in the field of pure water in healthcare and a frequent speaker at national and international conferences. She currently serves as Southern Business Development Manager (Healthcare) at Veolia Water Technologies UK, supporting healthcare organisations with innovative water treatment and IPC solutions. 

Ronald Wassenburg

President, Wassenburg Medical Division (HOYA Corporation)

Ronald Wassenburg joined the family business in 1992 after completing his technical education in mechanical engineering and industrial automation. The company, founded in 1984, was among the pioneers in introducing endoscope washer-disinfectors to the Dutch market.

With a strong foundation in engineering and product development, Ronald has been closely involved in the advancement of endoscope reprocessing technologies, as well as in regulatory affairs and international market development. He has actively contributed to standardization efforts, including the development of the EN ISO 15883 series for washer-disinfectors.

Today, Ronald serves as President of the Wassenburg Medical division, part of HOYA Corporation, where he is responsible for the overall leadership, strategy, and global performance of the division

Ursula Morby is the Assistant Director of Nursing Group Decontamination Lead at the HSE Mid-West Hospital Limerick, covering one model 4 hospital and four model 2 hospitals. Ursula started her career at Barnet & Edgware hospital as a staff nurse. Ursula has worked across various departments in hospitals in both the UK and Ireland as a senior staff nurse. During her time at Nuffield Health Chandlers Ford Hospital, Ursula designed, commissioned, and managed a new endoscopy unit. Over the last 23 years in Ireland, Ursula has focused her career in becoming an expert in decontamination and has qualified as Lead Auditor for ISO13485. She has a BSc in Nurse Manager, an MSc in Advanced Leadership with the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and a Decontamination Lead course qualification with City & Guilds from Eastwood Park.

Dr Mat Moyo (Systems and Human Factors Consultant)

Mat works at the intersection of infection prevention, human factors and leadership, advising leaders on how to create the cultural and system conditions that enable safer, more reliable care. By addressing system conditions and leadership behaviours that shape practice, he supports organisations to move beyond compliance towards strategic, sustainable improvement.

Sulisti Holmes is the Head of Decontamination and Incident Reporting Investigation
Centre, acting as the strategic lead for medical device safety and decontamination in
NHS Scotland.
She completed a degree in Pharmacy, a PhD in Applied Microbiology, postdoctoral
research projects. She completed the Advanced Course in Sterilization Technology,
Lead Auditor ISO 13485 and 4 TOPRA master classes on Medical Device
Regulations.
She sits on British and European Standard Committees. She is the author/co-author
of various decontamination articles.

Mett Lindsay Smart is Scientific Director of 20/30 Labs, a UKAS accredited laboratory specialising in microbiological testing of medical devices and water systems. She has over 25 years’ experience in healthcare microbiology, holding multiple academic qualifications in the subject. Her work centres on bridging the gap between compliance and real-world microbiological risk.

Rob Warburton MBA CMgrFCMI MIDSc Chtd

Trust Decontamination Lead

Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Institute of Decontamination Sciences, Director of Communication & Chairman IDSc Midlands Branch.

Currently conducting extensive research into biofilms with a view to challenge international standards and guidance documents, particularly for Flexible Endoscope Decontamination.

Trust Decontamination Lead for Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the largest Healthcare provider in Northern Europe, 10 Acute care hospitals, 7 community medical centres. 30,000 staff and over £2.6 billion turnover.

A Director & Chairman for the Institute of Decontamination Sciences the UKs largest professional body for Decontamination.

Registered Healthcare Scientist specialising in Decontamination and Infection Prevention and Control.

Published in 2012 for research conducted with Public Health England, looking at cleaning efficacy of chemistries on TSE (CJD) Prions.

Over 17 years’ experience in Decontamination Science, being one of the first in the UK to centralise Endoscope decontamination and have processes accredited to ISO13485 and MDR back in 2009.

Senior Director, Scientific, STERIS.
Richard has over 39 years’ experience in medical devices and sterilization and is a UK Registered
Authorising Engineer (Decontamination). He has a BSc (Hons) in Applied Chemistry, and is a Fellow of
the Royal Society of Biology (RSB), Fellow of the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estate
Management (IHEEM), and Chartered member of the Institute of Decontamination Sciences (IDSc).
He has been granted 6 patents.
He has been actively involved in the development of National, European and International standards
for over 30 years, with leadership roles at BSI, AAMI, CEN and ISO, as well as serving as current Chair
of ISO/TC 198, Sterilization of health care products and chair of CEN/TC 204, Sterilization of medical
devices. He has been the recipient of AAMI’s Standards Developer Award and is an AAMI Fellow.

Dr Brian Kirk is qualified as a Pharmacist. He holds a Masters Degree in Pharmaceutical Analysis and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sterilization Technology. His Doctoral research involved investigations into the application of computer technology for modelling chemical reactions and the inactivation of bacterial spores in steam sterilization processes and monitoring and controlling steam sterilizers; work for which he received the 1985 annual award for best submitted paper to the Parenteral Drug Associations Journal. He worked for over 10 years in the UK NHS as a quality control pharmacist for a hospital pharmaceutical sterile supply manufacturing department gaining Qualified Person status as a result of this experience. He joined 3M Health Care in 1989 as a development scientist for sterilization monitoring products. During his time with 3M he was responsible for developing and supporting a number of new products including the first electronic Bowie and Dick test device launched onto the market. He also held a number of additional responsibilities including European Technical service for sterilization supporting customers and business teams (1995 – 2000) and then the same role within UK region. Before leaving 3M in 2019 he was Scientific Affairs and Education manager for the Western European region. Throughout his career Brian has had special responsibilities for monitoring the development of National, European and International standards relating to sterilization and as a result is a member of a number of BSI, CEN and ISO committees responsible for developing standards for chemical and biological sterilization indicators and steam, ethylene oxide and vaporized hydrogen peroxide sterilizers and sterilization processes. Brian is the convenor of ISO TC 198 working group 3, moist heat sterilization. Brian has presented at a number of national and international conferences, has published a number of peer reviewed articles and is a Fellow of the Institute of Healthcare Engineering and Estates Management (IHEEM) also registered as a UK Authorising Engineer (Decontamination) by the same professional institute. Brian is also a visiting honorary lecturer at the University of Nottingham and is on the peer review panel for the Journal of Hospital Infection. Brian is Director of Brian Kirk Sterilization Consultancy Group Ltd, a company he formed after leaving 3M in April 2019, specialising in Standards Development, Education and Sterilization Consultancy.