Chair

Rosa Sun

Hello everyone, welcome to BNTA. I am an ST6 trainee in the West Midlands, and currently in the position of BNTA chair. BNTA is a forum where trainees can network, troubleshoot, and be provided with useful information. Not only this, BNTA should be a community to bring trainees together from around the country, where we can exchange ideas and learn from one another.

We face unprecedented challenges in the current training climate, my role is to represent your opinions at SBNS council. I will raise awareness of your concerns and facilitate open dialogue. Prior to this, I represented you on SAC and ISCP committees, tackling issues relating to training and workforce planning.

My current key areas of work involves:

• Workforce Planning

• Protecting Training Rights

• Funding Equality and Access

• Global Neurosurgery

• INR Credentialing

Secretary

Chloe Chia

Hi everyone! I’m Chloe, an ST1 trainee in Belfast.

As the Secretary of the BNTA, I aim to continue to support the rest of the committee in their tasks and contribute to the smooth running of the BNTA.

I look forward to working with the rest of the team to support and represent the views of neurosurgical trainees nationwide, and ensure we meet our respective goals during our terms.

Treasurer

Ahmad Ali

I’m Ahmad, an ST4 trainee at The Walton Centre in Liverpool, currently out-of-programme for research. I am the treasurer of the BNTA. I manage any financial activities within or for the BNTA. A key activity for many years now has been delivering the annual BNTA travel awards. These competitive awards have been kindly supported by several sponsors. 

I am very proud of the awards we have managed to give recently, supporting several trainees in the last few years in their travels. I aim to continue supporting the growth of the BNTA, ensuring we have sufficient funds for our awards and any other activities we deliver. 

Informatics Rep

Oli Kennion

My name is Oli, I am an ST4 in the North East Region. I am honoured to be representing the BNTA as the Informatics Rep. 

Through this role I am aspiring to improve the newsletter as well as increase the use and interaction with the website through creating an event calendar for the website and keeping information updated to ensure everything is correct.

If you want anything to be highlighted or circulated through the BNTA, please get in contact via the form or through the BNTA email address and we can work to increase the scope and access our members. 

LTFT Rep

Anna Bjornson

My name is Anna Bjornson, I am an ST6 trainee in Yorkshire and Humber. I work as an 80% LTFT trainee after taking 12 months OOP for maternity leave. 

As the LTFT representative for BNTA I aim to work with the SAC to address the barriers to LTFT training including the negative stigma and perceived reduced training opportunities.

I would also like to address the need for maternity support in neurosurgery and ensure there is relevant information available to allow pregnant neurosurgeons to continue to train safely.

Academic Rep

Callum Allison

My name is Callum, the BNTA Academic Representative for 2024-2026. I’m an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow based in the Newcastle, with the majority of my research being based within functional neuro-oncology. 

As the North East’s first integrated academic trainee, I have been fortunate to benefit from the tight academic links between my neurosurgical unit and other regional collaborators in the NHS, universities and industry. My experience of having dedicated supervision alongside a strong appetite and enthusiasm for neurosurgical research in the North East, has given me motivation to advocate for others in a similar position on a national scale. hence my desire to represent those neurosurgical residents involved in academia, both within and outside of formal integrated academic training programmes. 

Particularly, I am interested in promoting collaborative, resident-led neurosurgical research across the UK, whilst providing a platform for local units to gain access to the national support of the BNTA/BNTRC. 

I look forward to building on the great work performed by my predecessor, Mr Momin, by working with you and advocating for you on the BNTA, BNTRC, and SBNS academic committees. Always feel free to get in contact if you wish to discuss any academic matters or any issues that you feel the BNTA can help with.

SAC Rep

Daniel Thompson

I’m Daniel, a Neurosurgical ST6 in Bristol and currently the Joint NNAP/RCS Clinical Research Fellow and candidate for a PhD in the Cambridge University Clinical Neurosciences department.

I am passionate about how we can effectively leverage big data to evaluate Neurosurgical practice and improve patient experience and outcomes. In my role as the SAC rep, I hope to demonstrate whether there is equity of training opportunities using big data and continue the work of championing the views of Neurosurgical trainees towards the SAC.

EANS Rep

Ed Goacher

Hi all, I’m Ed, an ST6 in the South Yorkshire deanery. I’m the current BNTA EANS representative. 

Having undertaken the EANS training course and attended EANS subspecialty conferences, I have experienced first-hand the training and academic opportunities offered by the organisation. Having personally benefited hugely from such opportunities, I am passionate about promoting and easing access to courses, events and conferences held by the EANS. I aim to promote engagement and involvement of UK trainees within the EANS organisation by publishing the upcoming EANS events and activities, building relations with the organisation itself and easing the financial burden associated with partaking in such events.

Please feel free to get in touch with any questions or queries relating to EANS courses and activities.

ASiT Reps

Soham Bandyopadhyay

I am a ST3 in Southampton General Hospital, and the current ASiT representative. I am interested in research and collaborations.

I hope to bring things the surgical community closer together by finding areas we can work on together, as well as identify areas for great support for trainees as they progress from ASiT.

Matt Sanders

My name is Matt and I am an ST6 in Sheffield.

Neurosurgery training is evolving - this can be demonstrated by the development of dual open and endovascular training in North America. Moreover, the EANS have recently developed a resident exchange programme.

As the ASiT rep on behalf of the BNTA, I would push to encourage collaboration between all specialties of surgery to broaden opportunities for experience and development. 

My experience to date includes the design and delivery of the CCrINSP course, the PGCMedEd as well as serving on the executive committee of NANSIG prior to training. 

Post-CCT Rep

Gopiga Thanabalasunduram

My name is Gopiga, currently completing my in-training fellowship. Having just CCT’d from Neurosurgical training, I am well aware of the training requirements and challenges a trainee faces throughout their training.

I aim to support trainees pre and post CCT to make the most of their training and fellowship opportunities. Workplace planning is key in the current climate and I hope to help address this with the SAC to improve post CCT Fellows getting consultant jobs. 

Non NTN Rep

Tarek El-Moslemany

My name is Tarek, and I am a senior clinical fellow specialising in oncology and spinalsurgery.I completed my initial training in Egypt, followed by a four year rotational training at TheWalton Centre and an advanced oncology fellowship. I am currently completing a furtherfellowship in complex spinal surgery, whilst preparing to apply for the portfolio pathway.

In my role, I represent International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in the British NeurosurgicalTrainees Association (BNTA). IMGs are a key part of the neurosurgery workforce,particularly at the middle grade level, with their development positively impacting patient careand our healthcare system.

My aim is to guide and support IMG colleagues, helping them to improve theircommunication skills, navigate the system, and prepare for both the FRCS and portfoliopathway.