Research & Innovations
Updates from the Committee
The Research and Innovation sub-committee aims to appraise surgical innovation, novel concepts and new techniques in gynaecologic surgery and ambulatory gynaecology and produce an advisory based on the current evidence and research.
Meet The Portfolio Members
Oudai Ali
Chair of Research & Innovations portfolio
I am an experienced minimal access gynaecologist specialist in Oncology and Colposcopy. I have been based in Cumbria, UK since 2014 and just recently moved to Surrey in London. I specialise in providing evidence based care in gynaecology, colposcopy and oncology adopting cutting edge innovations in minimal access surgery. I have completed certification in Obstetrics and gynaecology with training in colposcopy, oncology and advanced laparoscopy for endometriosis in 2012 in the Wessex deanery, UK.
I have an excellent record in developing services in ambulatory gynaecology, enhanced recovery and achieving exceedingly high standards in minimal access surgery. I am also a royal college tutor and I am passionate about teaching, training and simulation. I have been facilitating, participating in advanced courses nationally and internationally. I visited international centres of excellence to connect and share skills and I strongly believe in the value of surgical audit and standardisation of techniques and appraising innovations. In my role as a lead colposcopist I trained many of the staff who successfully completed their British certification and contributed greatly to service development and audits. I am leading the teaching and research on the Novel technique of Vnote. I aspire to contribute with the help of the BSGE and its members to produce the best evidence in current novel concepts and innovation in gynaecologic surgery and ambulatory gynaecology.
Zahra Azeem
Senior Trainee Representative
Zahra Azeem is an ST7 trainee in West Midlands undertaking Advanced Laparoscopic Excision of Benign Disease (ALAP) ATSM. She has a strong track record in laparoscopic surgery, gynaecological ultrasound, and multidisciplinary care for patients with chronic pelvic pain.
Zahra has been actively involved in national and regional teaching, serving as faculty on several BSGE-endorsed training courses including the Pre-ASM Advanced Ultrasound Course and BSGE RIGS Course. She is passionate about surgical education and is currently developing a National Gynaecological Ultrasound Training Programme for trainees.
In parallel with her clinical work, Zahra leads and collaborates on a range of research projects focusing on diagnostic pathways in endometriosis, intraoperative imaging innovations and the use of Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) in laparoscopy. She has authored many peer reviewed publications and won awards for her projects.
As Senior Trainee Representative on the BSGE Council, Zahra is committed to representing the voice of trainees, supporting equitable access to high-quality training opportunities, and shaping the future of minimally invasive gynaecological surgery through innovation, inclusion, and excellence.
Dorota Hardy
Laparoscopic Training and Research & Innovations Subcommittee member
I am a consultant gynaecologist and minimal access surgeon in Leeds Teaching Hospitals. I completed my postgraduate training in Newcastle and Middlesbrough and specialise in advanced laparoscopic surgery particularly endometriosis. My other interest is research: I completed MD in molecular biology of cancer in Newcastle University and I am NIHR research lead for Women’s Health in Yorkshire & Humber as well as honorary senior lecturer at University of Leeds.
Most recently, I am a head of the local organising committee BSGE ASM 2025 in Leeds and a member of BSGE subcommittee for laparoscopic portfolio. I am excited about organising BSGE ASM 2025 in Leeds and I hope it will enhance you surgical skills, knowledge as well as social circles. I am very enthusiastic about working within BSGE laparoscopic training subcommittee to strive for the highest standards in teaching, training and simulation. I have been facilitating, participating in advanced courses nationally and internationally and I am keen to share my experience and passion for training. The BSGE provided me with a fantastic network of friends and invaluable training opportunities and I would like to give it back to the future generations of gynaecology surgeons.”
Inna Sokolova
Research and Innovations Subcommittee member
Urogynaecological, Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgeon and Clinical Director
NHS Ayrshire & Arran, Crosshouse Hospital, Kilmarnock, Scotland
Lucy Whitaker
Research & Innovations Subcommittee member
Senior Clinical Research Fellow and Honorary Consultant Gynaecologist
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Jack Williams
Research and Innovations Subcommittee member
Medical Engineer and Graduate-entry Medical Student