Zac Silk - Chairperson

Stage of training: Post-CCT Fellow

Experience in spine (months): 50 months (4+ years)

Favourite part of a spinal career: Teamwork! Never alone...always working (and learning) with another colleague on the other side of the operating table!

When not in hospital…: Enjoy photography and spending time with my wife & three kids!

Something interesting about you: Absolutely love listening to / playing music (drums). 

John Afolayan - Secretary

Stage of training: Post CCT SpR 

Experience in spine (months): 28 months 

Favourite part of a spinal career: Happy patients and the technical challenge  

When not in hospital: Spending time with family and friends, watching discovery channel

Something interesting about you: Foodie, keen sportsman and enthusiastic BBQer. Avid believer in using technology to bridge health divides

Martinique Vella-Baldacchino - Website, Publicity, Communication Lead

Stage of training: Currently a ST4 on the NW London rotation.

Experience in spine (months): 6 months are a SHO, aspiring to do more during reg life

Favourite part of a spinal career: Seeing the patient post- op moving their legs pain free

When not in hospital…: ...out somewhere on a bike

Something interesting about you: PADI scuba diver and a qualified swimming teacher

Fahid Rasul - Education Representative

Stage of training: Senior Spine Fellow (Post CCT)

Experience in spine (months): Registrar training in neurosurgery 6 of 10 six-month rotations dedicated to spinal surgery

Favourite part of a spinal career: Operating - craniocervical junction pathology, intradural pathology

When not in hospital: Spending time with wife and two children

Antonia Isaacson - Education Representative

Stage of training: Post CCT spine fellow

Experience in spine (months): 47 months

Favourite part of a spinal career: Lead surgeon operating

When not in hospital: Swim, run, enjoy time with my family and dogs

Alex Goubran - Fellowship Representative

Stage of training: ST8 (post CCT)

Experience in spine (months): 12

Favourite part of a spinal career: All of it!

When not in hospital…: Kite surfing (badly), playing with my daughters and spending as much time as possible with my wife, family and friends.

Something interesting about you: Half Irish and Half Egyptian

Alexander (Al) Durst - Fellowship Representative

Stage of training: STIG Fellow/ST8 (Post Exam)

Experience in spine (months): 18months

Favourite part of a spinal career: The patients, the challenges, the operating

When not in hospital…: With my wife (newly married) walking, laughing, snowboarding, doing escape rooms

Something interesting about you: Keen Movember supporter, for 12 years; have raised a bit of money and awareness for an important cause whilst winning a prize or two

Kiran Divani - Specialist Trainee Representative

Stage of training: Post CCT spine fellow

Experience in spine (months): 5/12 6 month spine rotations during SpR training

Favourite part of a spinal career: The complex anatomy and mechanics, evolving technology

When not in hospital…: Cycling, mountaineeing, wife, family & friends

Edward Antram - Medical Student Representative

Stage of training: Final Year Medical Student

Experience in spine (months): 0

Favourite part of a spinal career: Fascinating anatomy, interesting operations and patient-focus.

When not in hospital…: Running, swimming and gym, whilst trying to play the piano (not all at the same time!)

Something interesting about you: Sauna enthusiast

Riaz Mohammed - Academic Representative

Stage of training: Post-CESR Orthopaedic Spine Fellow

Experience in spine (months): 22

Favourite part of a spinal career: The varied challenges, the operating bit, the MDT discussions

When not in hospital…: Full-time with the family, day-outs with my 2 boys

Something interesting about you: First Doctor in the family tree. #freeConsultation

Sam (Buddhika) Wimalchandra - Membership Secretary

Stage of training: Senior Clinical Fellow- Neurosurgery (Spine)

Post FRCS SN

Experience in spine (months): 24 months

Favourite part of a spinal career: Pre-operative planning, technology and patient experience

When not in hospital…: Thinking about hospital...like everyone else!

Something interesting about you: Part-time cook