Log in


BASS Trainee Committee Members

Below are the current representatives on the BASS Trainee Sub-Committee. If you wish to contact the committee, please email trainee@spinesurgeons.ac.uk

PositionNameSpecialityLevel
ChairpersonAlex GoubranTrauma and OrthopaedicsSTIG Fellow (post CCT)
SecretaryAl DurstTrauma and OrthopaedicsPost CCT Fellow
Educational RepSurya GandhumTrauma and OrthopaedicsST8
Educational RepPaul BrewerTrauma and OrthopaedicsPost CCT Fellow
 Research RepPriyanka Jani
Website RepDanny TadrossTrauma and OrthopaedicsCST1
Communication and Social Media RepWing Sum LaoNeurosurgeryST3
Fellowship RepEdward DysonNeurosurgeryST8 (OOPT)
Speciality Trainee RepPhilip CopleyNeurosurgeryST6
Speciality Trainee RepKarim AboelmagdTrauma and OrthopaedicsST5
Medical Student RepKaren Soh Chien Lin  - 5th Yr Medical Student


Trainee Committee Member Profiles


Alex Goubran - Trainee Rep for the Executive Committee

Stage of training: STIG Fellow - Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Sheffield Children's NHS Trust

Experience in spine (months): 24 months

Favourite part of a spinal career: Operating and decision making 

When not in hospital...: In Devon with my daughters and wife. 

Something interesting about you: Half Irish / Half Egyptian


Alexander Durst – Secretary

Stage of training: Post-CCT Fellow (STIG , followed by Canadian fellowship)

Experience in spine (months): 28 months 

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

When not in hospital...: With my wife enjoying life with laugh, hiking, snowboarding and 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



Surya Gandham - Education Rep

Stage of training: ST8

Experience in spine (months): 18

Favourite part of a spinal career: Having exposure to adult, paediatric, trauma and cancer cases all in one week.

When not in hospital...: I am trying to keep up with my three little girls and spend as much time with family and friends

Something interesting about you: Love Japanese food and art and am waiting for COVID to clear up before visiting again.


Paul Brewer - Education Rep

Stage of training: Post CCT fellow

Experience in spine: 3 years experience in spines- 24 months as a reg, 12 months as a fellow in Brisbane, Australia. Now at Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham.

Favourite part of a spinal career: variation in procedures with a variety of patients. Not one trick ponies!

Something interesting about you: enjoying playing golf when not working. Trying to develop the next Tiger Woods so I don't have to work (or at or least have a good excuse to go and play)


Priyanka Jani - Research Rep



Danny Tadross – Website Rep

Stage of training: Core Surgical Trainee

Experience in spine (months): 10 months as a junior fellow

Favourite part of a spinal career: The variety of approaches and diagnostic/management challenges

When not in hospital: Still trying to salvage a professional football career at 5 a side



Wing Sum Lao - Communication and Social Media Rep

Stage of training: ST3

Experience in spine (months): Small amounts since neurosurgery F3 and integrated into neurosurgery training

Favourite part of a spinal career: the variety of patients (old and young), pathologies and the ability to make a real positive difference to someone's life through a surgical intervention

When not in hospital: I enjoy baking as a hobby, traveling and trying to find the best brunch spot. I'm also a huge fan of Kpop music and Korean dramas. Additionally, I am especially passionate about equality and diversity within surgery and I have been an active member of the WinS Forum committee at the RCSEng since 2017.

Something interesting about you: I play the violin to ABRSM grade 8 standard.



Edward Dyson - Fellowship Rep


Phillip Copley - Speciality Trainee Rep

Stage of training: ST6

Experience in spine (months): 60 months

Favourite part of a spinal career: Pre-op planning involved in complex spinal cases

When not in hospital...: Mostly spending time with my 2 year old daughter

Something interesting about you: Enjoy football, music & reading



Karim Abdelmagd - Speciality Trainee Rep

Stage of training: ST6

Experience in spine (months): 6 months

Favourite part of a spinal career: The diversity of surgical planning and approaches. Many people tackle similar pathologies in different ways.

When not in hospital: Can be found cooking, playing golf and spending time with family.


Karen Soh Chien Lin – Medical Student Rep

Stage of training: 5th Year Medical Student at the University of Cambridge

Experience in spine (months): 0

Favourite part of a spinal career: Watching my first spinal fusion during a surgical placement!

When not in hospital...: Running at an average pace

Something interesting about you: I love all types of art!



British Association of Spine Surgeons (BASS), RCSEng, 38-43 Lincoln's Inn Fields, Holborn, London, WC2A 3PE

Registered Charity - No.1150365

Company Registration - No.08156883


Copyright © 2019 - British Association of Spine Surgeons
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software