Introducing our Trainee Advisory Committee Chair
Tell us about your background and relevant experience
I am a Specialist Registrar (ST5) in Chemical Pathology and Metabolic Medicine in the East of England, currently undertaking a PhD in Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Professor Sir Stephen O'Rahilly. I studied medicine at Bart’s and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry before completing Foundation and Internal Medicine Training in London, gaining MRCP(UK), and subsequently moving into specialist training in Chemical Pathology and Metabolic Medicine, where I also obtained FRCPath.
I first joined the Royal College of Pathologists' Trainee Advisory Committee (TAC) in 2024 as the clinical biochemistry representative, before becoming Deputy Chair and, in January 2026, Chair of the committee. Having spent 2 years on the committee before taking on the role, I had the opportunity to understand how the College works, how decisions are made and, importantly, how we can influence those decisions. It has been an invaluable experience and one that prepared me well for the role of Chair.
Why did you become Trainee Advisory Committee Chair?
One of the reasons I wanted to become Chair stems from my own experience as a doctor in specialist training. Early in training, there were many aspects of College processes that I found difficult to navigate, particularly around setting of the examinations, feedback and understanding how decisions affecting us were made. I have always believed that constructive engagement is the best way to understand processes better and find ways to make changes. Joining the committee gave me the opportunity to contribute to those improvements.
It also became clear that this is a particularly important period for postgraduate medical training. With the NHS 10-Year Health Plan, the Medical Education and Training Review and the Leng Review all taking place, there is a genuine opportunity to shape the future of medical training. I wanted to ensure that pathology trainees have a strong voice during these national discussions and that our specialties are visible whenever decisions about medical education are being made.
What does the Trainee Advisory Committee Chair do?
The Trainee Advisory Committee has a unique role within the College. Unlike many trainee committees, we represent not only resident doctors but also clinical scientists, veterinary pathologists and dentists across all pathology specialties. This breadth makes the role both rewarding and challenging, as it requires an understanding of several different training pathways and professional perspectives. Despite these differences, our members share many common priorities, and each profession brings valuable expertise that strengthens both the committee and the wider pathology workforce.
As Chair, my role is to bring those different voices together, represent those in training across the College, work closely with College Council and committees, and ensure our perspectives are considered in College policy and national discussions. It also involves representing the College externally, working with stakeholders and helping to develop the committee's priorities and programme of work.
What are your priorities in this role and what do you hope to achieve?
My priorities as Chair fall into 2 broad areas.
Within the College, I would like to strengthen engagement between trainees and the College. I recognise that there can be understandable frustration with aspects of training and assessment, and that meaningful change is achieved through engagement. One area I am particularly keen to develop is improving trainees' understanding of College examinations, including how standard setting and pass marks are determined, dispelling common misconceptions and exploring opportunities to provide more meaningful feedback following examinations.
I would also like to broaden academic representation by establishing dedicated academic as well as research representative roles, and ensuring that international medical graduates, particularly those working in locally employed doctor posts, have stronger representation within the College.
Nationally, I want pathology to have a stronger presence wherever decisions about healthcare training are made. Diagnostic specialties are fundamental to modern healthcare but are often less visible than other specialties. Throughout my time as Chair, I have sought to ensure that pathology is represented through active involvement with the General Medical Council, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges and national medical education groups, including the Curricula Review Group for the Medical Education and Training Review. By contributing to these discussions, I hope we can ensure that pathology continues to be recognised as an essential specialty and that our perspectives help shape the future of postgraduate medical education.
Above all, I hope those in training see the College as something they can actively influence. The College is its members, and I would encourage anyone with ideas, concerns or an interest in improving training to get involved. Working together, we have a real opportunity to strengthen pathology training for current and future generations.
Agnieszka Jakubowska
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