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Trainees Subcommittee

Trainees' Sub-Committee

April 2023

The Trainees' Sub-Committee was created back in 2006 to represent the views of concessionary members.

As such, the Sub-Committee would like to know what you want from the Society and how the Society can support you in your research, teaching and educational activities.

Below is a list of the current Sub-Committee members. Please feel free to contact the Chair at trainees@pathsoc.org 
 

Clare McGenity - Chair of the Trainees' Sub-Committee

I am the Chair of the Trainees’ Sub-Committee and have been involved in PathSoc for several years prior to this. I have enjoyed involvement in lots of different PathSoc initiatives and I am excited to see how we can provide further benefit and impact for trainees going forward.

I am an academic trainee based in Leeds and I am currently out of programme and working on a PhD. Prior to this, I had a pre-doctoral fellowship, followed by an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF). These experiences allowed for dedicated research time after I had not followed the traditional academic routes through medical school and foundation years. My main research interests are around artificial intelligence and liver disease.

I originally joined the Trainees’ Sub-committee as a clinical trainee who was just interested in research, and so I would welcome any trainee who is interested in pathology and research to get involved. There are regular PathSoc events aimed at trainees and we have committee positions that become available periodically.

Feel free to get in touch with me at trainees@pathsoc.org

 

Caroline Cartlidge  - Programme Subcommittee Representative

I am a Leeds-based Clinical Research Fellow in Histopathology, focusing on investigating the colorectal cancer immune response using artificial intelligence and the microbiome.  I will start ACF ST1 Histopathology training in August 2023.

I graduated from the University of Leeds in 2019 and completed a Medical Sciences with Gastroenterology and Hepatology iBSc at Imperial College London in 2017. I completed my Foundation Training around Leeds and gained further exposure to pathology, where I discovered it to be a fantastically diverse and exciting specialty, with wide research and teaching opportunities.   

Although I have taken an unusual route towards starting academic histopathology training, I am motivated, enthusiastic and friendly and would be happy to share my experiences to support others. Outside of work, I enjoy being outdoors (especially with a dog!), running, painting and playing guitar.

I am passionate about promoting pathology as a specialty through teaching medical students, leading work in patient/public engagement, as well as encouraging participation for anyone interested in the vast research opportunities available. I know firsthand how beneficial the PathSoc events and resources have been for me so far. It is a privilege to support the society in equipping trainees with an armoury of skills.

Steven Nottley - National Academic Trainee Network Meeting Co-ordinator

I am a friendly and motivated academic trainee originally from Dorset. I graduated from Sussex University in 2009 (BSc Molecular Medicine) and Cambridge University in 2013 (Medicine). After university, I completed my foundation years in London before moving to Glasgow for my specialty training. During this time, I obtained a PGCert in Molecular Pathology, presented research at an international conference in Rio, and passed the FRCPath part 2 exam. I am currently in my first year of a CRUK funded PhD working on radiotherapy resistance in soft tissue sarcoma. My career aim is to become a clinician scientist. 

I sat my part 2 exam during the pandemic and am all too aware of how covid has affected our training. I am keen to work with pathsoc to build a list of comprehensive resources for trainees to help with exam preparation. Secondly, having done my histopathology training in Glasgow, I aim to provide a more vital link between Pathsoc and the north of the UK. I’m also keenly aware of the lack of exposure to academic pathology in some UK centres. I will increase PathSoc’s outreach to more pathology departments to encourage more people to get involved with research.

 

Alireza Behzadnia - Education Sub-Committee Representative

I’m Ali, currently an ST2 in Hull. I'm originally from Iran and having lived in many different countries throughout my life, I came to the UK from Australia in 2018 to start my Foundation training in the West Midlands where I was introduced to the wonderful world of histopathology. I am interested in research, specifically to use robust statistical models and deep-learning approaches to analyse DLBCL tumour microenvironment using whole-slide images. I’m also passionate about education and developing virtual materials. When I’m not using R or Python, I’m probably watching cat videos or binge-watching Netflix!

I’m determined, dependable and will always see through the projects I embark on. I’m passionate about improving trainees’ experience and promoting academia; as such, I set up Junior Doctors Ground Round and FY2-Buddy Scheme during foundation. Currently, I’m involved in developing Blackboard virtual learning environment, for which I received the Dean’s Choice award, in competition with consultants and staff across Yorkshire and Humber. Although a non-academic, my previous experiences in teaching and research puts me in a unique position, if successful, to engage and promote opportunities for trainees from all walks of life.

 

Daniel Field - Social Media Officer & Case of the Month, Diagnostic Histopathology

Originally hailing from Yorkshire, I completed my undergraduate medical training at King’s College London and Imperial College London. At these institutes I crossed paths with pathologists and academics who ultimately instilled a burning passion for pathology within me. Academia has played a huge role in my career and I have undertaken undergraduate research fellowships (King’s and Imperial College London), academic foundation training (Yorkshire Deanery) and a post graduate degree in health research and statistics (University of York).

I am currently a histopathology trainee in Edinburgh and my current research interests revolve around GI/HPB malignancies and improving outcomes for patients via molecular, artificial intelligence, multidisciplinary team and robust research method approaches.

PathSoc have provided multiple events and opportunities that have only bolstered my love for the speciality. As a member of the Trainee Sub-Committee I want to continue to help provide such opportunities to trainees and disseminate my adoration for pathology both within the community (especially to undergraduate students) and to the general public.

Outside of work (albeit capturing a limited amount of time in my life) I can be seen harassing wildlife as a published amateur wildlife photographer and ‘twitcher’.

 

Eric Wong - Vice-Chair of the Trainees' Sub-Committee

 Hello! I am an ACFST1 in Leeds, born in Hong Kong and raised in Essex. I completed medical school in 2020 and started Foundation Training in Leicester during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I have wanted to be a forensic pathologist since secondary school. However, having completed projects and presented at conferences, my interests evolved towards academic pathology, particularly the application of deep learning for predicting patient outcomes. My current research interests are upper gastrointestinal cancers and artificial intelligence.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy learning new languages, playing the piano and trombone, and following football and combat sports.

Having finished my Foundation Training only a few months ago, I feel my recent experience and knowledge can highlight the educational and academic needs of undergraduates and junior doctors interested in pathology. I have benefitted tremendously from the events and resources provided by the PathSoc.

Furthermore, I have gained valuable experience in event planning and delivery, working collaboratively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and organising and chairing meetings. My previous leadership roles as deputy representative on the BMA Medical Students Committee, founding president of my undergraduate Surgical Society, and vice president for the Doctors' Mess, have enabled me to hone these skills which I hope will benefit the subcommittee.

 

Hattie Hunter - National Academic Trainee Network Meeting Co-ordinator

Hello, I’m Hattie, and I am currently an ST2 trainee in Bristol. Following my upbringing in North Yorkshire, I went to medical school in Cambridge, where I intercalated in pathology (virology and immunology). I then completed an academic foundation programme in Guildford (although most of the academic part was spent in redeployment). Continuing my clockwise migration around the country, I started my histopathology training in Bristol in 2021. Outside of work I enjoy playing the violin and singing in choirs.

I’m passionate about the work PathSoc does, particularly in inspiring medical students and foundation doctors into the profession (as happened to me!). Having attended an undergraduate summer school, I was lucky enough to receive PathSoc funding for my elective, which solidified my interest in histopathology. I hope to bring my enthusiasm to this role. The PathSoc events I’ve attended, including the Winter School and Academic Trainee meetings, have been fantastic. As somebody interested in research but not a full-blown academic trainee, I can offer a different perspective and encourage other people like me to get involved with the society.

 

Yasin Dhonye - National Academic Trainee Network Meeting Co-ordinator

I am an ST4 histopathology trainee based in Edinburgh. I am a relative latecomer to the specialty, having graduated from University College London, completed core medical training and undertaken a year as a Clinical Teaching Fellow beforehand.  Feeling somewhat disillusioned and intellectually unchallenged during my experiences in clinical medicine, I considered different avenues. Fortuitously, during my job as a haematology SHO, it was my attendance at the local microscopy meetings that piqued my interest and led me to discover diagnostic medicine.

Applying for histopathology has been an excellent decision for me. Given my trajectory, I feel strongly about undergraduate and foundation engagement and hope others can discover the appeal of the specialty too!

At present, I am pursuing a career in haematopathology and medical renal pathology. These subspecialties capitalise on close working relationships with the treating physicians and a repeated emphasis on clinical pathological correlation. Being involved so closely and playing an integral role to a patients overall journey has felt incredibly rewarding and satisfying for me. Unfortunately, owing in part to their difficulty and complexity, these areas of histopathology are often not viewed with such appeal for many trainees.  

As a member of the subcommittee, I hope to break down some of these barriers by connecting members to valuable resources and facilitating teaching events. I am a hard working and dependable individual, and will endeavour to promote opportunities that PathSoc can provide for trainees across the board.

 

Dilek Taze - Education Subcommittee Representative

I graduated from Peninsula Medical School in 2016, completed my Foundation training in the North  Central Thames Deanery, took a year out to work in Emergency medicine and started my Histopathology training in 2019. I have a strong interest in education and Neuropathology and have applied for a Clinical Research Fellow post looking to develop a Histopathology atlas for temporal arteritis. Currently I am involved in a digital pathology project as part of the NPIC program. I have been involved in a range of quality improvement projects and have passed the FRCPath Part 1 at the start of my second year.

I am a very approachable, motivated and reliable individual. I am currently the ST2-ST5 trainee working group representative. I organise weekly departmental teaching sessions and host autopsy quiz of the week.  Good organisational skills and effective communication allow me to successfully fulfil my clinical duties and carry out these roles.  Throughout my undergraduate and current training to date, I have been involved in teaching medical students. I offer the perspective of an ambitious current non-academic trainee looking to explore new avenues.  I am a hard-working trainee who cares about education and research and would be grateful for this opportunity.

 

Sarah Ruane - Programme Subcommittee Representative

Hello I'm Sarah and I'm currently an ST3 at the Christie in Manchester. My current interests include Postgraduate Medical Education and the use of Artificial Intelligence in Mesothelioma. I'm looking forward to helping arrange the Pathsoc Winter Schools, and hopefully provide further Educational Content for Histopathology trainees at all levels. Outside of work I love exploring the Bollin Valley where I live and playing football with my two children. Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any ideas or suggestions for future PathSoc Educational events.

 

Rebecca Young - Research Subcommittee Representative

I am the Trainee Sub-Committee Research Rep and have been  a member of PathSoc since, starting Foundation Training. I completed my medical degree in Glasgow and Foundation   Training in Edinburgh, where I now work as an ST2 Trainee in Histopathology.  Outside my specialty I find working as a peer mentor and trainer in mentorship skills highly rewarding work and look forward to bringing these skills to the work of the Sub-Committee. I took a scenic route into medicine, having first completed a Master's Degree by Research in French literature in Leeds. After that I spent several years working in the government and charity sectors in a variety of public engagement roles.  I still love all things French, so when I am not working, I am happiest strolling around the food markets somewhere in Normandy.  I want to get involved in collaborative research and teaching. As a member of the Sub-Committee my goal is to help people with an interest in pathology to link up and take advantage of the full range of opportunities we have to offer.