Major Robert Staruch is the current President of the Plastic Surgery Trainees Association (PLASTA). He assumed this role in July 2018. He is an Defence Deanery trainee in Burns & Plastic Surgery having undertaken Core surgical training in London. He started his higher surgical training in London in 2017 and is currently on Out of Programme for Research studying for a Phd in Engineering at the University of Oxford. During his core surgical training he undertook a Fulbright Scholarship at the School of Engineering Sciences, Harvard University under Professor David Mooney. He is currently doing his Phd under Professor Mark Thompson looking at the Mechanobiology of Blast injury in Skeletal Muscle. Prior to his surgical Training Major Staruch undertook General Medical duties with 16 Air Assault brigade for 3 years.

Rob's aim for the 2018/2019 period is in restructuring and reorganising PLASTA in its ability to directly improve and engage with trainees. He believes in trying to draw on collaboration with organisations such as BAPRAS, ASIT, BOTA & BAAPS to improve the quality, consistency and satisfaction of trainees, trainers and training in the United Kingdom. He hopes in fostering this community we can collectively improve the delivery of Plastic Surgical care to patients, as well as improve the working conditions of trainees and consultants in the United Kingdom.

In his spare time Rob is a keen cyclist!