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The College
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Leading Physicians Since 1681
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Leadership and Governance
- Leadership
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Committees
- College Advisory Forum on the Environment
- Courses Committee
- Digital Education Committee
- Education Executive Group
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
- Fellowship Committee
- Finance Committee
- International Executive Group
- Lay Advisory Committee
- Library & Heritage Committee
- Recently Appointed Consultants Committee
- Remote and Rural Medicine
- Symposium Committee
- Trainees and Members' Committee
- Advisers
- Laws and Royal Charter
- About
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Trainees and Members' Committee Profile
The Trainees and Members’ Committee is a representative Committee of elected Trainees and Members (post-MRCP(UK)), Associates (pre-MRCP(UK)) and e-Associates (medical students and Foundation Doctors) of the College. The Committee provides support for trainees and to ensure that the views of trainees are represented in all College discussions and to represent trainees in our external discussions, such as within the Joint Royal Colleges of Physicians Training Board (JRCPTB).
You can find out more about on the committee's representation here.
Office Bearers
Dr Marilena Giannoudi
Academic Clinical Fellow in Cardiology currently undertaking a Phd looking at diabetic heart disease using cardiac MRI and RNA sequencing. Upon completion will return to cardiology training in West Yorkshire
I have a passion for medical education. Having completed a Masters' in Health Professionals Education at Hull York Medical School, I have used this knowledge to contribute to the organisation of our annual Trainee's conference as well as various college educational events throughout the year. My drive to help trainees reach their career goals led me to develop the 'Career Conversations' podcast series, in which we discuss different career options, membership examinations and issues which trainees may need information on.
I feel incredibly lucky to be able to work within the Trainee and Members Committee to represent trainees across the UK in a large variety of meetings, whilst also working towards improving resources to help with career choices and training.
Contact information
Dr Hannah Preston
- An ACCS CT3 Acute Medicine trainee located in SE Scotland. Hannah has an interest in medical education and well-being.
- Hannah joined the T&MC in 2020 and is currently working in the Education stream.
- She is a mentor and CTA for Edinburgh University and is a trainee representation of the Lothian Resuscitation council.
Dr Kat Ralston
I am a specialist trainee in geriatric and general medicine in South-East Scotland. I am passionate about education, and have recently returned to training after some time out for an amazing medical education fellowship, as well as being in the midst of an MSc in clinical education. My current interests include simulation-based education, safety, clinical debriefing and civility in the workplace.
My primary interest lies in education, and I have loved to help facilitate free open access medical education through the RCPE podcast series, as well as support the organisation of the Medical Trainees Conference. I was particularly interested in developing free MRCP PACES resources, and was delighted to be supported by the RCPE to develop the "Demystifying PACES" podcast series to help fill this gap.
Dr Emma Spencer
I am an Internal Medicine Trainee based in South East Scotland. I trained in Bristol but have also worked in London and Melbourne, Australia. Medical training has been a rewarding experience and given me lots of opportunities. I want to make sure trainees can continue to make the most of these with the right support and resources for the challenges along the way. I have an interest in medical education and mentorship. I have been involved in co-ordination of undergraduate teaching with the University of Edinburgh and support of the new International Medical Graduates in the UK via the RCPE.
Dr Aoife Duignan
I am a specialist trainee in geriatric and general medicine in South East Scotland. I have previously represented trainees at local and regional trainee committees, as well as having been a Vice Chair for Representation on the TMC. I have previously organised Core Medical Trainee teaching, and currently organise Geriatric Medicine training days regionally. I am interested in promoting the quality of internal medicine training, near peer support aswell as supporting those planning maternity leave, return to work and LTFT training.
Peter _
Co-Vice Chair Representation
I am an internal medicine trainee (IMT) in the North-East about to enter my third year of training. Following this I hope to enter respiratory medicine for my higher specialty training. I am interested in the continual improvement of medical training and I am currently the IMT representative for the School of Medicine Training Committee in Northern Deanery. I also have an interest in medical education having previously been a teaching fellow and I have completed the PGCert in medical education, as well as being in the process of training to become an ALS instructor.
Elected Members
Dr Alice Lin
NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow in Rheumatology
I am a clinical academic trainee (ACF specialising in Rheumatology) based in the North-East of England. I graduated from Newcastle University in 2021 and completed my academic foundation training at Newcastle Hospitals in 2023.
I have a keen interest in research and medical education and have been involved in mentoring and delivering undergraduate teaching for both Newcastle and Sunderland University students. I am an active trainee representative locally and for the Royal Society of Medicine’s Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Section Council, and plan to use my roles to promote and help deliver RCPE educational events.
Dr Sarah Galloway
Specialty Registrar in Geriatric Medicine
I am an ST5 in geriatric medicine in South East Scotland who is based in Edinburgh. I have an interest in leadership and management, movement disorders and anticipatory care planning. My role in the representation strand of the T&MC allows me to share trainee views and learn more about leadership within medical training programmes.
I am proud to be a member of T&MC to represent my fellow trainees and learn more about the future of medical training and how we can influence this.
Dr Benedict Warner
I am a Respiratory Medicine ST6 at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, in the East of Scotland. I studied medicine at the University of Dundee, as a student served on the National Committee of Students for Global Health (formerly Medsin-UK) and undertook an intercalated BSc in International Health at the University of Leeds. After the Foundation Programme, I completed the LSHTM's East African DTM&H, then worked as a Medical Officer in rural South Africa. Since returning to Scotland, I have been working as a Respiratory registrar in less-than-full-time training in order to spend time with my two sons, and from August 2023, will be undertaking a PhD in Multimorbidity, Physical Activity and Sleep in Malawi.
Dr Jessica Selwood
Renal Registrar and Clinical Research Fellow
I graduated from Newcastle University in 2016 and completed my foundation and internal medicine training in the Northern deanery before starting higher specialty training in renal and general internal medicine in the North London deanery. I am currently out of programme undertaking a clinical research fellowship based at Hammersmith hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, where my research will be focused on people starting peritoneal dialysis.
I will be going into my third year as a member of the T&MC as of September 2024, and am keen to help improve the training experience for doctors through the wider work of the committee.
I have primarily acted within the representation sub-committee of the T&MC, for example by attending national meetings which help influence the development of the IMT/GIM curricula. I am keen to help improve the training experience for doctors and passionate about ensuring proper representation for trainees, and hope to continue this through the wider work of the committee going forward.
Dr Rachel Smith
Medicine of the Elderly Registrar
I graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 2017 and have undertaken medical training in South East Scotland. I am currently working as a Medicine of the Elderly registrar in Edinburgh. I have been a member of the T&MC for a year, mainly working in the education stream and contributing towards education events.
I feel passionate about providing trainees with a friendly and supportive environment to learn and develop.
It is a privilege to contribute to the work of the T&MC and I have learnt a lot about wider issues influencing medical training whilst being on the committee.
Dr Niall Ahern
Specialist Registrar in Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology
I am a Specialist Registrar in Infectious Disease and Medical Microbiology, currently based at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. I graduated from Queen’s University, Belfast, and hold a BSc in Medical Sciences with Respiratory Science from Imperial College London. As the Specialty Trainee Representative for Medical Microbiology in Northern Ireland, I am committed to raising the profile of infection training within the region.
In my role on the Trainees and Members' Committee (T&MC), I aim to strengthen collaboration with the other devolved nations, ensuring wider access to medical education opportunities for physicians across the UK. By fostering connections between local doctors and the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (RCPE), I hope to expand access to valuable educational resources and the supportive network provided by college membership.
In particular, I am passionate about enhancing the resources available to doctors preparing for both the written and practical components of the MRCP examinations. Additionally, I am keen to explore new ways to support newly qualified F1 doctors as they begin their careers, especially those relocating away from family and friends.
My role within the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh allows me to collaborate with a wider community of doctors who are dedicated to supporting physicians at every stage of their careers through accessible, high-quality education.
Dr Taimurzeb Durrani
Higher Specialty Trainee ST4 in Acute Internal Medicine in the North East of England
I obtained my medical degree from the Army Medical College in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. I recently completed internal medicine training in the Northeast of England, during which time I successfully passed the MRCP (UK) examinations. Edinburgh.
I was elected to the T&MC in 2022 and have thoroughly enjoyed this rewarding and important opportunity. My interests lie in research and medical education, although still relatively early in my career, I have been included in publications and in 2023 presented posters at an international cardiology conference in the United States.
Promoting education is a passion of mine and I actively participate in the education stream of the Trainee and Member’s Committee having recently chaired sessions in the evening medical updates and at the Medical Trainees Conference and have joined the organizing team for the Medical Trainee’s Conference 2025 and 2026
Dr Charlotte Jane Dewdney
T&MC Education Stream and Evening Medical Updates Team Lead
I graduated from Edinburgh University in 2016. I worked as a Clinical Fellow in Shetland, before completing Internal Medicine Training at Raigmore hospital, Inverness. I am currently working as a Diabetes and Endocrinology registrar in Edinburgh and dual accrediting in Internal Medicine.
During my time as a remote and rural Clinical Fellow I completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Education. I have taken a year out of programme to complete a fellowship in medical education. This role has allowed me to help develop the educational environment across NHS Lothian including undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and also explore simulation based education. I have been an associate member of the RCPE Trainee and Members’ Committee since 2019; this year I have taken the lead in organising the Evening Medical Updates.
I am passionate about promoting and organising educational activities through the college. I enjoy supporting the future evolution of medical training and strive to ensure that it remains an attractive career choice by representing trainees and their values at a national level.
Dr Sarah Gillespie
Respiratory and GIM registrar North East England
I am particularly interested in palliative care within non malignant respiratory disease and have done research in this area. Within the TMC, I am particularly interested in trainee representation and ensuring the voices of trainees and locally employed doctors is heard at a national level.
As a member of the TMC representation stream, I represent the RCPE trainee voice on the national Academy of Royal Colleges Resident Doctors Committee
Dr Rajeshi Thonangi
I graduated from India and after my membership exam; I was very ambitious and dedicated to move to the UK to pursue my career in Cardiology. Currently, I am doing my LAT ST4 Cardiology training in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
At present as local tutor with NHS Lothian, I am actively involved in teaching medical students and junior doctors. As a faculty, I am working on International Medical Graduate Simulation (Pilot).
Dr Kirsty Crowe
I am a specialty registrar in renal and internal medicine based in the West of Scotland. I am passionate about effective medical education which overcomes barriers to patients interacting with healthcare and undertook a Clinical Teaching Fellowship prior to starting my higher specialty training. I am also interested in supporting the inclusivity and wellbeing of trainees and have undertaken work in this area during my Scottish Clinical Leadership Fellowship with the NHS Lothian Medical Education Directorate and the GMC. I am involved with networks aimed at supporting renal trainees in engaging with quality improvement and research activity.
Dr Jessica McNiff
Elected Member (Scotland)
Jessica Mcniff is an Internal Medical Trainee in the Southeast of Scotland. She has a clinical interest in Medicine of the Elderly and palliative care. She has been a member of the T&MC for the past 2 years and has worked on the education stream and with LTFT survey. Jessica is a clinical tutor associate with Edinburgh University and is currently completing a Masters degree in medical education.
Dr Archibald Coulter
Elected Member (England and Wales)
I am a gastroenterology registrar working in the South West of England, having graduated from Glasgow medical school in 2013, undertaken foundation training in Bristol, taking time out to complete a tropical medicine diploma in Berlin and work in Sierra Leone, before returning to Scotland (Edinburgh this time) for ACCS acute medicine.
I have a longstanding interest in medical education, involved in both undergraduate and postgraduate education. In the last couple of years I have also been able to engage with environmental issues within my own speciality, and the move towards green endoscopy.
Dr Mie Thu Ko
Elected Member (England and Wales)
I am a clinical academic trainee working in East of England. I am committed to promoting a supportive network for the trainees and ensuring that trainee voices are heard. I have worked as a regional trainee representative in the East of England IMT committee, and led the organization of regional training days in the deanery, and mock MRCP PACES courses locally. I am also passionate about providing support and creating opportunities for the doctors who are aiming to get into training. I have developed specialty training application workshops and provided talks on how to get into IMT, and gastroenterology training, which have helped many doctors and medical students in career planning.
Co-Opted Members
Dr Jonathan Guckian
Co-Opted Member (England & Wales)
Dr Jonny Guckian is a dermatology registrar in Yorkshire. He is a committee member of the T&MC and is passionate about improving quality and accessibility of medical education for medical trainees. He is Director for Social Media & Communications at the Association for the Study of Medical Education (ASME), Founder of Medisense Medical Education, a MedEd website for creative learning resources and is an Editorial Trainee at the British Journal of Dermatology. His research interests include social media in medical education and postgraduate career pathways.
Aparna Potluru
Co-opted Member (Scotland)
Aparna is currently an IMT1 doctor with an interest in Dermatology. She graduated from the University of Edinburgh then subsequently completed foundation training in Glasgow. She has a keen interest in clinical research and is an associate editor at the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology. She is currently pursuing a PGCert in Medical Education and has a strong teaching portfolio. She hopes to use her role in the college to help shape activities and services to improve training and wellbeing of trainee doctors; enabling them to deliver the best possible patient care and fulfil their medical career aspirations.
Observers: Foundation Year
Dr. Yu Cheng (Edward) Foo
Foundation Year One Doctor
Edward Foo is a current FY1 doctor undertaking a Specialised Foundation Programme training post in London. He is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), with primary areas of interest spanning internal medicine, medical education, and clinical communication. Research-wise, he is interested in exploring emergent, integrated approaches to improving cardiovascular, renal and metabolic health. He has been involved in delivering and improving clinical communication teaching at the University of Edinburgh, and is a keen supporter of increased student involvement in medical education roles. Through his role as Foundation Observer, he is keen to expand the current cache of educational content on offer, and to help encourage increased involvement among early-career clinicians with the college.
Dr. Rayna Koshy
Foundation Year Observer
I am an FY1 doctor working at New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton. I have a passion for Medical education, understanding learning theories and developing new strategies to make learning more inclusive and accessible for both neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals. I am also interested in seeing how we can incorporate newer technology for simulation training like virtual reality and AI.
Student Observers
Alexandra Thompson
Observer - Student
I am in my penultimate year at the University of Edinburgh Medical School. I am a mature student who applied to university via an access course. I completed a BMedSci in Anatomy and Development in my third year. I have particularly enjoyed our endocrinology and rheumatology modules, and I’m also interested in mental health. Alongside my studies, I chair the Student Psychiatry Audit and Research Collaborative and I was previously a Social Prescribing Student Champion. Outside of my degree, I enjoy running, photography and yoga.
Snehith Palagani
I am a 5th-year medical student at the University of Central Lancashire. In addition to my studies, I am active in research, with interests in internal medicine and medical education. As an affiliate member of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, I have contributed meaningfully to the committee, including serving as a Student Observer on the Trainees and Members’ Committee for the past two years. This experience has deepened my commitment to ensuring that the perspectives of medical students are represented in decisions with national impact.
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The College
-
-
Leading Physicians Since 1681
-
Leadership and Governance
- Leadership
-
Committees
- College Advisory Forum on the Environment
- Courses Committee
- Digital Education Committee
- Education Executive Group
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee
- Fellowship Committee
- Finance Committee
- International Executive Group
- Lay Advisory Committee
- Library & Heritage Committee
- Recently Appointed Consultants Committee
- Remote and Rural Medicine
- Symposium Committee
- Trainees and Members' Committee
- Advisers
- Laws and Royal Charter
- About
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