We are pleased to announce the results of the election of AO Trauma Global Research Commission (AO TRC). Following the election conducted in December 2022, Panagiotis "Peter" Giannoudis will take the reins as AO Trauma Research Commission Chairperson-elect on July 01, 2023.

Prof Giannoudis, who was trained in Greece and the United Kingdom and whose specialist training included an AO Trauma Fellowship in Germany, is internationally renowned, working as Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in Leeds, United Kingdom.

Prof Giannoudis extensive service to AO Trauma includes terms as Chairperson of the AO Trauma Europe and South Africa Research Committee (AO TESA RC). He also has served as a member of the AO medical team assigned by Technical Commission, to work in the RIA-2 project which received the innovation prize award for 2020.

On July 01, 2023, Prof Giannoudis will begin his 1 year term as Chairperson-Elect of the AO Trauma Research Commission. From July 1, 2024, he will start a 4 years term as Chairperson, succeeding Prof. Pol Rommens in this position.

The election process was overseen and ratified by the Nomination Committee (NomCom), which has confirmed that the process was transparent, fair, and in full compliance with the AO TRC Terms of Reference. The AO Trauma International Board approved Giannoudis’ election on December 10, 2022. AO Trauma congratulates Panagiotis "Peter" Giannoudis, thank him for his commitment and wishes him every success in his new role.

Congratulations to Nima Heidari on becoming the Foot and Ankle Chair for Davos courses in 2023.

Professor Heidari is best known for his work in the fields of bone infection and limb reconstruction, with particular expertise in dealing with failure of bone fixation or infection following fracture or other causes. As part of his work at The Royal London Hospital, where he has been a consultant since 2012, he has established a regional Foot and Ankle Unit; a Bone Infection Unit and Orthoplastics Department. In his private practice he provides a tertiary referral service for difficult fractures and fixation and post-operative infection. He is very aware of the profound effect foot and ankle pain or injury can have on a person’s quality of life and he aims to provide his patients with the optimal treatment, whether surgical or non-surgical, to achieve the best possible outcome.

Our own Professor Caroline Hing of St George’s University London, who is Chair of AOUK & I R&PD and also chairs the AOUK&I Undergraduate Programme delivered her inaugural lecture on Monday 7th November after been appointed during COVID times.

St George's newly arrived or promoted professors are invited to give an inaugural lecture to mark this milestone in their academic careers and to introduce themselves, update colleagues on current and future research plans, and share their research with wider audiences. She has chosen to explore why failure is essential for success.

The story of her professional journey highlights some work experience as a trapeze artist, a climber and a cockroach impersonator. It’s a must see.