Surgical Society: Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Chair

Having been on committee this year, I understand the work, planning and consistency required to run UCLPRAS successfully. We have built strong momentum, and I am standing to continue expanding on the work we have delivered this year and taking it further.

We will continue creating even more value for members exploring their interest in plastics by facilitating new teaching series on the basic management a plastics patient, so students feel confident engaging with the plastic surgery team on placement. On top of this, we will continue to develop the high-level collaborative workshops PRAS has delivered, allowing students to further refine their surgical skills in structured, hands-on settings.

What’s more, we will begin catering to those who know they want to pursue a career in plastic surgery by working with them personally, as well as sourcing expert advice to support their portfolios particularly in operative experience, research and audits. We will work to build high performing mentorship schemes both for operative and academic experience with fast and appropriate feedback mechanisms so students do not feel alone in navigating the journey of their portfolio.

Finally, collaboration has been key to PRAS’s success this year, and we will strengthen our partnerships across London and within UCL, including working for the first time with Dermatology Society to showcase interdisciplinary cancer care and with WINS to highlight the outstanding work being done by women in this field.

Hi, I’m Alea ! I am running for Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery Chair as I am passionate about giving students greater exposure to two of the most innovative and rapidly evolving fields in surgery. Through shadowing plastic surgeons at the Royal Free and collaborating on projects in skin cancer and wound-healing technologies, I have seen how these specialties combine technical skill with advances in research, technology and multidisciplinary care.

I have helped organise initiatives such as the Plastic Surgery Microsurgery Hackathon and have served on other surgical subcommittees, gaining experience in planning and delivering events for students. These experiences have shown me how valuable early exposure to surgical specialties can be.

As chair, I aim to organise engaging events including surgical skills workshops, career talks, and panel discussions that give students practical insight into the speciality. I am particularly interested in highlighting how areas such as AI, robotics and tissue engineering are shaping the future of reconstructive and regenerative surgery.

I would also collaborate with societies such as UCL AI, MedTech and dermatology, as well as with other surgical specialties, to create interdisciplinary events reflecting the collaborative nature of modern medicine.

Ultimately, my goal is to make events accessible and engaging, helping students develop skills and explore whether plastic surgery is a field they would like to pursue.