Sally Robertson

Feature Writer

B.Sc. Biomedical Sciences

Sally first developed an interest in medical communications when she took on the role of Journal Development Editor for BioMed Central (BMC), after having graduated with a degree in biomedical science from Greenwich University.

As a pioneer of the immediate or “gold” open access publication model, BMC made the latest biomedical journal articles instantly available online free-of-charge to readers anywhere in the world and put authors in control of the publishing process for the first time. Sally worked to promote the quality of the journal content and increase its visibility to help new journals launch and fledgling journals build up their impact factor.

Strategies included working closely with Editors-in-Chief to inform readers on up-and-coming areas of research, improving the quality of peer review, arranging media coverage, and preparing promotional material in the form of blurbs, blogs, and newsletters.

Sally started regularly writing for the company’s blog, highlighting the importance of various studies and conveying their key take-home messages to the audience. An opportunity then arose to write for BMC’s parent company, Springer Healthcare, as part of a news team dedicated to providing healthcare professionals with authoritative and independent medical news.

Sally became a specialist in reviewing and summarising the latest findings across all areas of medicine covered in major, high-impact, world-leading international medical journals, international press conferences, and bulletins from governmental agencies and regulatory bodies.

Nowadays, Sally works as a freelance medical writer, part of which includes generating daily news updates, life science articles, and interview coverage for News-Medical. She also produces webinar content, conference booklets, and articles introducing and explaining the applications of newly launched laboratory equipment.

Outside of work, Sally can be found enjoying the hustle and bustle of her hometown, puzzling over crosswords, and walking in the surrounding countryside.

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Articles from Sally

Brazilian state of Maranhão heading towards SARS-CoV-2 herd immunity, say researchers

Researchers at the Federal University of Maranhão, Brazil, have conducted a study suggesting that the state of Maranhão is well on its way to acquiring herd immunity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

2 Sep 2020

COVID-19 testing and reporting needs improving in United States prisons

Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Cornell University have conducted a study showing that many states across the US are not reporting fully on the number of people being tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in prisons, with some also not reporting on cases of fatalities.

1 Sep 2020

Promising new candidate 'virus-like particle' vaccine for COVID-19

Researchers in the UK and Taiwan have demonstrated the potential of a new candidate vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the virus responsible for the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

1 Sep 2020

Scientists solve structure of ORF8 coronavirus protein

Researchers at the University of California and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have made important discoveries about a protein found on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that could lay the foundations for the development of new treatments.

31 Aug 2020

COVID-19 patients may experience long-term cardiovascular complications

Researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle have conducted a study suggesting that infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can directly infect heart tissue and contribute to whole-organ cardiac dysfunction.

31 Aug 2020

Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus particles in heart tissue

Researchers in Milan, Italy, have identified the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the heart tissue of deceased coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who had died from respiratory failure, without showing any signs of cardiac involvement.

27 Aug 2020

Two viral gene targets needed in SARS-CoV-2 detection by PCR, say researchers

Researchers at the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, and collaborators have warned against only targeting one viral gene when carrying out reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

27 Aug 2020

Study suggests memory B cells persist following COVID-19 recovery

Researchers at Tel Aviv University in Israel have gained valuable insights into the serological and B cell response to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

26 Aug 2020

Researchers shed light on Boston's SARS-CoV-2 superspreading event

Researchers in the United States have shown that failure to prevent the importation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) into Massachusetts led to superspreading that drastically altered the course of the epidemic and amplified the outbreak in this major urban area.

26 Aug 2020

Assessing the risk of COVID-19 outbreaks once schools reopen

A study conducted by researchers at the London School Of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of Edinburgh, and Leiden University, suggests that only reopening schools to specific age groups would reduce the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) being transmitted between schools and subsequently households.

25 Aug 2020