| |
Dr James Brooks, Chair
Hello, I’m James, an ST6 Anaesthetics Registrar in the Southwest. Inside work, I’m passionate about obstetrics and transfer medicine, currently pursuing an OOPE with my local adult transfer service. Outside of the hospital, I’m a keen guitarist, amateur baker and swimmer. I’ve been on the Resident Doctors Committee for 3 years and it’s an absolute privilege to be Chair this year. It’s enormously important to me that residents are involved in all aspects of the Association’s activities and that we as your committee represent your views and advocate for your wellbeing and training. If there is anything we can help with please do get in touch! |
ST6 |
Severn Deanery |
@jamesbrooks90 |
 |
Dr Ben Evans, Honorary Secretary
I am Honorary Secretary of the Resident Doctors Committee and an Anaesthetic Registrar based in the North East of England. My clinical interests are in HPB and Major Surgery and the role of Human Factors in Anaesthetics. I am keen to spend my time on the RDC improving conditions for anaesthesia residents. Outside of anaesthesia, I am a keen cyclist and slowly trying to learn French. |
ST5 |
North East of England |
@criticalgassing |
 |
Dr Leyla Turkoglu, Vice Chair
I’m proud to say that I’m the Vice Chair of the Resident Doctors’ Committee at the Association of Anaesthetists. I currently work as an anaesthetics resident in North London. Aside from my clinical work, I am also currently at NHS England in the Patient Safety team as a National Medical Director’s Clinical Fellow. My professional interests include paediatric anaesthesia, healthcare ethics and reducing healthcare inequalities. Outside of medicine, I am usually found wrangling my toddler, reading, or drinking coffee. |
ST5 |
London School of Anaesthesia |
@leylsturk |
 |
Dr Allan Xu, Resident Network Link Officer
I’m Allan, a Resident Anaesthetist in East London who recently completed ACCS Anaesthetics and am currently on a break from training. I have been based in London my entire life having gone to medical school at UCL and trained in East London since then. I first joined the Association’s Resident Doctors Committee as an elected member (and very junior anaesthetist) in 2022 having been inspired by their education and wellbeing initiatives during a very difficult period for our specialty. I am currently the Resident Network Links Officer and have held numerous other positions including podcast and webinar lead and have previously organised the Association’s annual Resident Doctors Conference in 2025. My professional interests include paediatric anaesthesia, medical education and AI research. Outside of medicine I am a keen swimmer, pianist, baking enthusiast and reluctant Tottenham Hotspur fan. |
ACCS CT4 |
London School of Anaesthesia |
@allan_xu |
 |
Dr Luke Flower
I am a Specialty Registrar in Intensive Care Medicine in London and a Clinical Research Training Fellow undertaking a PhD at the University of Cambridge’s Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Heart and Lung Research Institute. I was elected to the Resident Doctor Committee in 2022 and currently serve as a resident representative on its Research & Innovation Committee and Heritage Steering Group. I am also Co-Chair of the UK Trainee Research in Intensive Care Network, Academic Representative for Specialty Registrars within the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine, and an Associate Editor for the Journal of the Intensive Care Society. My clinical interests include ARDS, shock, and critical care ultrasound. I am also passionate about advancing healthcare equity and received the Association of Anaesthetists’ Kathleen Ferguson Award in recognition of my work in this area. When not working, I can be found eating my way around East London with my husband, figuring out how to get a dog while living in a central London flat, or training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. |
ST5 and PhD student |
London School of ICM & Cambridge University |
@LukeFlower1 |
|
Dr Ashleah McCulloch
Ashleah McCulloch. ST5 in the West of Scotland. Interest in Regional and Obstetric Anaesthesia. Passionate about teaching and resident well-fare. Outside of work occasionally take a wander in the Scottish mountains but only when it's not raining and there's no midgies… so, let's be honest, pretty rarely. |
ST5 |
West of Scotland School of Anaesthesia |
|
 |
Dr Brandon Tan Zhiming
My name is Brandon Tan, I'm currently a fourth year anaesthesiology resident in Ireland. I have been on the Resident Doctor's Committee for the past 2 years and have been serving as the Irish trainee representative on the Committee. I am originally from Singapore and completed medical school as well as my internship in Ireland, before later starting on the SAT scheme here. With the UK and Irish health and training systems being very different, I continue to highlight issues facing resident anaesthesiologists in Ireland ensuring the Association is representing its members working in Ireland. Outside of work I enjoy playing water polo and the guitar as well as photography. In the upcoming year, I hope to focus on increasing the awareness of the benefits of being an Association member as well as improving Association membership take-up rates and event attendance for anaesthesiology residents in Ireland. |
SAT 4 |
Ireland |
@brandontanzm |
|
Dr Joseph Pick
I am a newly appointed consultant working in Birmingham. My professional interests are in obstetric anaesthesia, peri-op and major general surgery. I have a passion for workplace wellbeing and am constantly trying to find ways to improve my colleagues' working lives. After recently completing mentorship training through the Association, I hope to develop as a coach and mentor. As part of the RDC I generally enjoy trying to insert myself into pretty much anything, but current responsibilities include producing the fabulous Coffee and a Gas podcast and editing the Success in Stage 3 handbook. |
ST7 |
Sandwell and West Birmingham |
@isitsleepytime |
|
Dr Andreas Sotiriou
I am a resident doctor (ST6) in anaesthesia, currently based in South East London. My principal clinical interests lie in regional anaesthesia, anaesthesia for head and neck surgery, and anaesthesia for complex major surgical procedures. Outside of medicine, I am a keen sports enthusiast and an ardent supporter of Arsenal FC. I enjoy playing both football and tennis and maintaining an active lifestyle. I am committed to supporting aspiring anaesthetists at the earliest stages of their careers and ensuring they are well-prepared for specialty training. My focus is on developing initiatives and resources that enhance both the clinical and non-clinical skills of all resident doctors in anaesthesia, fostering professional growth, confidence, and excellence within the specialty. |
ST6 |
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust |
|
 |
Dr Mel Anderson
I am an ST6 resident anaesthetist working in the East Midlands. Like many anaesthetists, I have come to anaesthesia after a detour through surgical training. My journey has taken me through four deaneries, so I understand personally how tough rotational training really can be, particularly when it separates doctors from their established support networks. These experiences have sparked my keen interest in wellbeing and supporting resident anaesthetists throughout their career. Having experienced my own challenges along the way, I am passionate about reducing barriers to training, widening access and tackling differential attainment. Outside of work, I am mum to a wonderful little boy and we spend lots of time enjoying nature or trying to grow things in the garden. |
ST6 |
East Midlands Deanery |
@gasdocmel |
 |
Dr Drew Harding
I’m Drew, an ST6 equivalent registrar on the North West London Portfolio Pathway (PP) Programme (previously known as CESR), currently out of programme undertaking a research fellowship with the RCOA Centre for Research and Improvement, with my clinical work undertaken at St Georges, London. I have a broad range of interests, and love the variety that comes with being an anaesthetist. If I had to choose, my clinical interests would be advanced airway management, major general surgery and perioperative care. I'm also developing experience in human factors and psychological safety, with the aim of using these principles to improve workplace culture and to ensure all residents feel valued and supported, with the tools to thrive in anaesthetics. Outside of work my time is taken up running after my toddler and changing the nappies of our more recent addition. But if I do have some time, I love to run by the river, cook (preferably outdoors), and follow the ups and downs of Newcastle United. |
Portfolio pathway registrar |
North West London Foundation School |
@dwxharding |
 |
Dr Toni Robinson
I’m a Stage 1 anaesthetics resident in the Cheshire & Mersey region. Alongside my clinical training, I hold a Masters in Medical Education and am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, with a particular interest in simulation-based teaching and supporting others through training. My clinical interests include paediatric anaesthesia, emergency anaesthesia, and resuscitation. Within the Association, I’m excited to help host the Coffee and a Gas podcast and champion trainee wellbeing, inclusivity, and diversity. I’m especially keen to recognise and support those from underrepresented or non-traditional backgrounds, ensuring all trainees feel seen and valued both inside and outside of work. I hope to bring energy, openness, and a collaborative approach to the Resident Doctors Committee, ensuring our perspectives influence future policy, training, and workforce planning. |
CT1 |
Mersey Deanery |
@tonialexr |
 |
Dr Lucy Whitton
I am a CT4 Anaesthetic Resident at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. I graduated from the University of Bristol in 2012 and have worked across New Zealand and the UK before focusing on a career in anaesthesia. Alongside my clinical training, I have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Medical Education, reflecting my strong interest in teaching and supporting residents in training. My main clinical interests are in obstetric and paediatric anaesthesia. I am currently in the planning stages of a national research project exploring the experiences of anaesthetic residents around pregnancy, miscarriage and fertility, with the aim of shaping future policy and improving support for those navigating these challenges. Having trained less than full-time following three periods of maternity leave, I bring personal experience of the realities and benefits of flexible training. I am a strong advocate for inclusion, wellbeing and resident representation, and was elected to the Association of Anaesthetists Resident Doctors Committee in 2025. |
CT4 |
Severn Deanery |
|
 |
Dr Joanna Wong
I’m Joanna Wong, an ST6 on the North Central London deanery, currently based at the Royal Free Hospital. Throughout my training, I’ve worked across many hospitals in North Central and North East London, which has given me a broad perspective on the challenges faced by both residents and the wider anaesthetic workforce. My clinical interests include airway management, regional anaesthesia, and hepatopancreatobiliary surgery. Alongside these, I bring a health equity perspective to my work, supported by a Masters in Public Health that I completed during training. I believe that improving care for patients of all backgrounds goes hand-in-hand with ensuring equity within our workforce, and that representation and accessibility are key. I stood for the Resident Doctors Committee because I feel that trainees are facing significant challenges, ranging from morale and job security to the quality of training. I want to play a role in addressing these issues, with a particular focus on wellbeing, accessibility, and fairness. |
ST6 |
North Central London School of Anaesthesia |
@joannaesthesia |
 |