Dr. I’ah Donovan-Banfield is a molecular virologist with over a decade of experience in viral genomics and public health. She earned her PhD in Virology from the University of Liverpool in 2025, where her research on the genomic stability of SARS-CoV-2 under antiviral pressure led to publications in Nature, Nature Communications, and The Lancet Infectious Diseases, shaping COVID-19 policy in the UK and abroad. Since joining the BMA board in 2022, her role has evolved from Director of Public Relations to Director of Communications, where she leads strategic messaging and engagement. Passionate about equity in science, she uses her platform to amplify the voices and visibility of Black microbiologists worldwide.