Trainee Representation and Opportunities

Dr Alessandra Biagini graduated in 2012 in Italy, from the Marche Polytechnic University (UNIVPM) where she also achieved her PhD in Biomedical Science focused on perinatal wellbeing. In Italy, she founded a multi-award-winning start-up company based on her research projects and was clinical manager and co-member of a Biomedical academic spin-off of her university. 

In 2018 Alessandra moved to Ireland and started her training in Paediatrics with RCPI and she is currently on her third year of Higher Specialist Training in Paediatric. She is also a former RCSI clinical lecturer in Neonatology, in 2021 she achieved a Diploma in Health Professions Education (RCSI) and following her keen interest in education she is currently completing a Master degree in Health Professions Education in RCSI with a research project on the effectiveness of gamification within educational environments as didactic tool for medical students.

Dr Patricia Harkins is a specialist registrar in Rheumatology and GIM, currently in her fourth year of higher specialist training in St. James Hospital Dublin. 

This is her fourth year on the RCPI trainee committee, having previously held the positions of lead trainee representative, and vice chair. 

She graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2017, and since then has received a Masters in Health Professions Education, in addition to a Masters in Musculoskeletal Science through the University of Oxford, where she graduated with distinction. 

She is currently in her third, and final year of her PhD, while also working as a Lecturer Registrar in Clinical Skills with the School of Medicine in Trinity College Dublin, and St. James Hospital. 

Dr Fergal Howley is a 3rd Year SpR in the Infectious Diseases and GIM training programme, currently working in St James's Hospital. Previous experience of working outside of Ireland includes spending two six-month stints working in a rural healthcare clinic in Mangochi, Malawi. This is his second year on the RCPI trainees' committee, having been the Library Committee and Awards Representative in 2023/24.

Dr Caoimhe Ryan is currently a second year Basic Specialist Training SHO in the Mater Hospital. She graduated from Trinity College in 2020 and completed her internship in the Mater Hospital and Temple Street, before spending two years in Australia.

Dr Seán Donohue is a Specialist Registrar in Infectious Diseases and General Internal Medicine, currently in his 4th year of Higher Specialist Training. This is his second term on the RCPI Trainee Committee as IoM Board Trainee Representative. Dr Donohue graduated from National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) in 2017, and subsequently completed his BST in General Internal Medicine in University Hospital Galway. He has an MSc in Clinical Research from NUIG, and at present is undertaking a PhD while working as a Lecturer Registrar in Clinical Medicine with Trinity College Dublin and St James's Hospital.

Dr Ellen Walsh

Dr Hanan Hamad Al-Naabi is currently in her third year of a cardiology fellowship at RCPI. She graduated from Oman Medical College in 2014 and completed her internal medicine residency at the Oman Medical Specialty Board in 2019, gaining extensive experience in acute care during her time at the acute medical unit and the National Heart Center at The Royal Hospital in Muscat. 

Dr Sarah Cavallari is a Paediatrics Specialist Registrar at Cork University Hospital. A graduate of University College Cork in 2020, she has also earned an RCPI Diploma in Paediatrics, MRCPI in Paediatrics, and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Health Professions Education. Dr. Cavallari has held previous leadership roles, including serving as the Paediatric Forum Representative on the RCPI Training Committee for 2023/2024. She was the Chairperson of the UCC Medical Society 2018.

Dr Cian Murray is a second-year Basic Specialist Trainee (BST) in medicine at St. James's Hospital. A 2020 graduate of Trinity College Dublin, he completed his intern year at St. James’s and subsequently spent two years in Perth, Australia, where he gained extensive experience in various medical disciplines. 

Dr David O'Keeffe is a Paediatric SpR currently working in the University Maternity Hospital Limerick. Dr O'Keeffe graduated from UCC in 2021 and after his intern year in the South Network, he completed the Paediatric BST.

Dr Alwyn Charles

Dr Arthi Subramanian is a year 2 Basic Specialist Training Obstetrics and Gynaecology SHO at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, where she is also the lead Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor (NCHD).

Dr. Subramanian earned her medical degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2022. 

Dr Ciara Guerin is a second-year histopathology trainee with a background in clinical medicine and has completed the medical BST programme. She previously served as exams representative on the RCPI trainee committee.

Dr Aoife O'Connell is a fourth-year trainee on the SpR scheme in Public Health Medicine.

She studied Medicine in University College Dublin and completed specialist training in General Practice on the Mid-West Scheme in 2005. She has a Masters in Public Health from University College Cork.

Dr O'Connell's prior experience includes twelve years as a practising General Practitioner in Limerick City, work in Community Health and diverse experience in medical education, teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students. More recently, she has worked in both Regional Departments of Public Health and Specialty sites, including the Mid-West Department of Public Health, the National Cancer Control Programme, and the National Screening Service.

Dr Justine Fenn is a 4th year Occupational Medicine SpR currently working in the Civil Service Occupational Health Department. She graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2016 and went on to complete her Basic Specialist Training in General Medicine achieving Membership of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (MRCPI) in 2019. She then spent some time as a Clinical Tutor/Lecturer with RCSI and achieved a postgraduate diploma in Health Professions Education (PGDipHPE). Since starting her training in Occupational Medicine in 2021 she has achieved both Licentiate of the Faculty of Occupational medicine (LFOM) and Membership of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (MFOM). She is also currently acting as the Occupational Health representative to the Forum of Irish Postgraduate Medical Training Bodies Trainee Committee. 

Dr Kate Devlin is a Senior House Officer in the second year of the Basic Specialty Training (BST) General Internal Medicine (GIM) program.

Dr Gabriela Paz is currently a second year Obstetrics/Gynaecology Basic Specialist Training SHO working in University Hospital Waterford. She completed her first BST year at Cork University Maternity Hospital. She graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2021.

Dr Mirza Aun Muhammad Baig is currently an RCPI Paediatrics BST year 2 trainee. He graduated summa cum laude as the Valedictorian of his Medical school in 2018. He became a Member of the College of Anaesthesiologists of Ireland in 2022 & completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Education from EduQual UK in 2023. In 2024, he was awarded the Membership of the College of Physicians of Ireland in Paediatrics.

Dr Baig has served as the Lead of Education & Training for Train Us For Ireland (TUFI) / Irish Society of International Doctors (ISID) and held the position of Director of Teaching & Training for the Association of Irish Pakistani Physicians and Surgeons (AIPPS).

He is a certified Trainer in Clinical Audit with the HSE National Centre for Clinical Audit, and a Trainer in Open Disclosure with the HSE National Open Disclosure Office.

Dr Baig was named Clinical Audit Professional of the Year 2023 by the Clinical Audit Support Centre UK and is a Keynote Speaker on topics of Leadership & Psychological Safety in Clinical Audit.

Dr Leah Timon is a Histopathology Basic Specialist Training SHO, currently based at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. After her Graduate Entry Medicine degree at University College Dublin, she completed her internship at St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin.

Dr Patrick Carr is a 4th year trainee on the Occupational Medicine HST. He has previously completed two years working with HSE Occupational Health Departments, as well as working in private industry, and is currently working with An Garda Siochana. 

This is his second year as the Chair of the RCPI Health & Wellbeing Committee. He has a keen interest in Physician Health & Wellbeing and created the Arthur Eakins award with the Faculty of Occupational Medicine in 2024 to promote physician wellbeing and interventions for this. He is involved in the creation, modification, and teaching on the Thriving in BST program, and strongly believes in empowering doctors to lead from the middle.

Dr Shauna Quinn is currently on the Paediatrics Basic Specialist Training Program. She graduated from Trinity College Dublin 2018. Following completion of internship, she spent two years working in the Australian Healthcare system before returning home to Ireland. Upon her return, she spent time working in Paediatrics and Clinical genetics before commencing the Paediatric Basic Specialist Training program. 

Dr Quinn has been involved in a number of committees, including being a junior representative in the Irish American Paediatric Society. She has attained a Pg Cert and Diploma in Health Profession's Education with UCC, as well as completing research on the education of paediatric trainees.