BDSA committee

BDSA President

Nyah Patel

The BDSA President oversees the activities of the executive committee, and is Vice Chair of the BDA Student Committee.

FD, BDSA Immediate Past Co-President

Youssef El-Wahab

Responsible for overseeing continuity of the BDSA Executive Committee.

BDSA Immediate Past Co-President

Leena Soltan

Responsible for overseeing continuity of the BDSA Executive Committee.

BDSA General Secretary

Chloe Leung

Manages the BDSA finances and meeting administration.

BDSA Treasurer

James Hare

Manages the BDSA finances and meeting administration.

BDSA Communications Officer

Silver Gerogiannis

Responsible for all BDSA communications, including social media and BDJ Student articles.

BDSA Conference Organiser

Shyun Patel

Responsible for organising the BDSA annual conference.

BDSA Sports Day Organiser

Amirali Ziaebrahimi

Organises the annual BDSA Sports Day.

Messages from the BDSA Executive Committee members:

Nyah Patel

BDSA President 2025-2026

I am currently serving as President of the British Dental Students’ Association, representing dental students across the UK and Ireland. I oversee our national events and initiatives to make the student experience as enjoyable and rewarding as possible. I also work closely with the BDA, the Dental Schools Council, and other organisations to raise issues affecting dental students, ensuring their voices are heard at every level. My priority is to build a stronger community and expand opportunities to support students.

Alongside the BDSA, I have been actively involved with the European Dental Students’ Association, where I built connections with contacts in other associations across the world. I’ve also worked with dental students across Europe, managed communications and projects between countries.

I also completed the BDA’s Future Leaders Programme, which gave me the opportunity to strengthen my leadership skills while connecting with inspiring dental professionals.

Alongside this, I serve as the EDI representative at my university and represent students nationally as a BACD representative and BDA Young Dentist Committee representative, where I advocate for professional development.

Outside of dentistry, I love travelling, discovering new foods, playing tennis, and dancing.

Leena Soltan

BDSA Co-President 2024-2025, Vice Chair of the BDA Student Committee and EDSA National Delegate

Hi everyone! My name is Leena, and I’m honoured to remain on the BDSA Executive Committee this year as Immediate Past President.

Having served as Co-President last year, and before that as Conference Organiser as well as Junior and Senior Representative, I’ve had the privilege of being part of the BDSA for several years. Each role has given me the chance to grow, contribute, and experience the association from different perspectives and it’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my time at dental school.

What I’ve valued most are the friendships, collaboration, and sense of community that come with being on committee. Working alongside so many passionate students to represent our peers and create opportunities has been both inspiring and fulfilling and it’s been so rewarding seeing the association grow from year to year.

I’m excited to continue supporting the BDSA this year as Immediate Past President, and I look forward to seeing the association go from strength to strength under the amazing leadership of this year’s president, Nyah Patel.

Youssef El-Wahab

Chloe Leung

BDSA General Secretary 2025 - 2026

Hello! My name is Chloe, and I’m an international student from Hong Kong currently in my fourth year at Peninsula Dental School. I’m honoured to continue serving on the BDSA Executive Committee this year as General Secretary.

In this role, I’ll be responsible for overseeing the internal communications and administration within the BDSA. This includes ensuring that all relevant parties are kept informed, helping to coordinate virtual/ in-person meetings, and producing accurate summaries of our discussions. If you receive a BDSA-related email this year, chances are, it comes from me!

Some of my most memorable experiences with the BDSA have been attending the annual conference and sports day. I truly can’t recommend them enough to fellow dental students - they’re incredible opportunities to network, learn, and build lasting friendships with future colleagues from across the country. These experiences have inspired me to take on an additional role this year as Deputy Sports Day Organiser, as a way to give back to the community that’s given me so much.

I’m beyond grateful to be part of the Executive Committee again, and I’m excited to work alongside this amazing team to deliver another successful year!

James Hare

BDSA Treasurer 2025-2026

My name is James Hare, and I am currently entering my final year of Dentistry at Newcastle University. Over the past few years, I have been fortunate to take on a variety of opportunities that have shaped both my professional development and personal growth.

This year, I am honoured to be serving as the Treasurer for the British Dental Students’ Association (BDSA), a role that I am particularly excited about.

I am looking forward to working with an inspiring team of student leaders from across the UK to ensure that our events, initiatives, and projects are delivered smoothly and sustainably.

Managing finances in a national organisation comes with responsibility, but I am eager to use my skills to support the BDSA’s mission of representing and uniting dental students.

At Newcastle, I have also been an active member of DentSoc and previously served as BrushUp President, where my team was proud to win the NUSU Community Outreach Award for our commitment to oral health promotion in the North East. I am passionate about leadership, collaboration, and creating opportunities for students to engage beyond their studies, and I hope to carry this same enthusiasm into my role as BDSA Treasurer.

Silver Gerogiannis

BDSA Communications Officer 2025-2026

My name is Silver Gerogiannis, and I’m currently in my fourth year at the University of Lancashire. For the 2025/26 academic year, I have the honour of serving as the Communications Officer for the BDSA, in addition to being a Senior BDSA Representative for my university.

My involvement with the BDA and BDSA has been a true highlight of my dental school journey so far-from participating in the Future Leaders Programme to serving as a Junior BDSA Representative.

This year, I’ll be overseeing the BDSA’s social media platforms, as well as coordinating the annual BDSA newsletter as Communications Officer.

My goal is to strengthen the connection between the BDSA and dental schools across the UK by ensuring clear, engaging, and consistent communication throughout the year. I also hope to make the BDSA feel more relatable to students, fostering a stronger sense of community and representation across all year groups.

I'm incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited to contribute to the BDSA community in a positive and impactful way.

Shyun Patel

BDSA Conference Organiser 2025-2026

Hello everyone, my name is Shyun, and I’m a fifth-year dental student. It is an honour to be the Chief Organiser of the BDSA Annual Conference 2026, which will be hosted in Liverpool.

The BDSA Conference is always a highlight of the student calendar, and having seen the incredible work of previous organisers, I am determined to make 2026 the biggest and most impactful student dental event to date. My vision is not only to deliver engaging lectures and thought-provoking debates with leading voices in dentistry, but also to create an atmosphere where students feel inspired, motivated, and part of something special. I want every attendee to leave remembering not just what they learned, but how they felt.

Following our daytime conference we will be planning a memorable gala dinner and socials to capture the energy and spirit of Liverpool. You’ll leave with new insights, unforgettable memories and hopefully a new friend or two. Community and shared collaboration is at the heart of the conference.

Outside of dentistry, I am a musician, runner and gym-goer. I have failed numerous times in all facets but have persisted to now be organising a national conference. I believe that whatever your passions or background may be, if you put your mind to something, anything is possible a message I hope shines through at Liverpool 2026.

Amirali Ziaebrahimi

BDSA Sports Day Organiser 2025-2026

My Name is Amirali, I am fourth-year BDS student at Peninsula Dental School, I am an aspiring clinician deeply passionate about dental public health, healthcare leadership, professional advocacy, and public engagement. My academic journey is complemented by a commitment to bridging dentistry with broader conversations on health policy, education, and workforce development.

As a participant in the BDA Future Leaders Programme, I have honed my leadership capabilities and embraced roles that align with my vision for the profession. My writing in BDJ Student, notably “Learning to lead: My journey with the Future Leaders Programme so far” (March 2025), reflects my dedication to fostering professional development among future dental practitioners.

I actively serve in student leadership positions—including on the BDSA Executive Committee and as part of the Dental Schools Council’s SOAG—where I advocate for improved collaboration among students from different universities, staff, and professional bodies.

One of my proudest initiatives has been promoting Peninsula Dental School’s Social Enterprise Model within the wider dental community; this includes coordinating a visit from the Head of the British Dental Association to showcase our school’s facilities and accomplishments. This effort embodies my drive to elevate dental education and amplify student voices at a national level.

Beyond clinical dentistry, I’m deeply engaged in issues such as international student integration, the sustainability of the NHS workforce, and contract reform. I’ve authored opinion pieces on these topics, highlighting strategic opportunities to fortify UK healthcare delivery. With strong communication skills, initiative, and forward-looking vision, I am committed to making a meaningful impact within dentistry and the broader healthcare landscape.

To run for the position of BDSA President, Communications Officer or Treasurer/Secretary, students must have previously been a BDA Representative. All other Executive Committee positions are open to any UK dental student.

For more information about the roles and how to apply, download the BDSA Executive Committee role descriptions:

Local BDA Representatives

In addition to the Executive Committee, each UK dental school has two BDA Student Representatives: a Junior and a Senior. They are known as BDA reps.

The reps are elected in a variety of ways depending on individual dental schools. Normally the position is available at annual Dental Society elections with reps holding office for two years; initially classed as Junior, then progressing to Senior.

Roles of the local BDA representatives:

Act as the BDA and BDSA school student contact
Canvas opinions on matters discussed at BDA Student Committee and BDSA meetings
Publicise BDA and BDSA events
Approach the BDSA Executive about matters of student concern
Promote BDA membership.

BDA reps attend BDA Student Committee meetings and BDSA meetings twice a year in London (expenses paid). These reps have two roles, first to sit on the BDA Student Committee and carry out political work, and secondly to work as your BDSA rep to help arrange your national social events.

For more information about the roles and how to apply, download the BDA Representative role description.

Co-leads

BDSA Academic Officer

Greta Strojny

Hi my name is Greta, and I’m a third year dental student at Peninsula Dental School. This year, I have the honour of serving as the BDSA Academic Officer, helping to oversee the academic initiatives of the association and the organisation of the BDSA Academic Research Summit 2026, which will be held at the University of Liverpool in January.

Having previously served as the President of Peninsula Dental Society for 2024/25, I was inspired to take on a national role within the BDSA to continue promoting student development, collaboration, and academic excellence across UK dental schools. My time as president allowed me to strengthen my leadership and organisational skills, while fostering a strong sense of community among students.

As Academic Officer, my main goal is to spotlight the research achievements of dental students nationwide and to create opportunities for them to engage more deeply with the world of academic research. I am committed to making this year’s summit an inspiring and enriching experience for all attendees, celebrating innovation, teamwork, and growth.

BDSA Publicity Officer

Mohammed Ayub

I am the Publicity Officer for the British Dental Students' Association (BDSA), a role that is both challenging and incredibly rewarding. My primary focus is to elevate the profile of the BDSA and our annual Research Summit, ensuring all our activities reach the maximum number of dental students. This involves a dynamic mix of creating engaging social media content and managing our communication channels.

In my role, I will be working closely with the research and academic officers, as part of the research team, liaising with the executive and conference committees. I also work closely with potential external sponsors to secure backing for the Research Summit by creating a dedicated sponsorship booklet. I bring a competitive and disciplined mindset to this role, consistently striving to meet deadlines and deliver high-quality publicity. I genuinely enjoy the communication aspect of the role, thriving on talking to people and fostering strong relationships both within the BDSA and across the dental community.

BDSA Research Officer

Hafsa Syed

I’m a fifth-year dental student at the University of Leeds and currently the Research Officer for the BDSA Research Summit to be held at this year’s BDSA Conference in Liverpool. My role involves organising and planning the summit, ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day, and making sure information about how to get involved is easily accessible to all undergraduate dental students across the UK. I’m passionate about encouraging more students to take part in research and helping make opportunities like the summit inclusive and approachable for everyone.

I’ve been involved with the BDSA for the past three years, which has given me the chance to connect with dental students nationwide and contribute to projects that bring our community together. Outside of dentistry, I love singing opera, painting and going to the theatre.

I’m really excited to be part of a team that celebrates student-led research and showcases the incredible innovation happening across UK dental schools.

BDSA Communications Co Lead

Anisa Mirza Hamilton

Hi everyone!

My name is Anisa, and I’m a third year dental student at the University of Birmingham. I’m absolutely delighted to be part of the BDSA committee this year as your Communications Co-Lead.

I’m particularly passionate about expanding the BDSA’s social media presence and strengthening connections among dental students across the UK. This year, my goal is to boost engagement, grow our following and ensure the BDSA continues to be a vibrant, inclusive hub for all dental students. As part of my role, I’ll be helping to manage the BDSA’s social media platforms, and we have exciting plans to share creative, engaging and relatable content for both current and prospective dental students.

I’m truly honoured to help shape the BDSA’s digital voice and to contribute to building an online space where students feel informed, supported and inspired. I look forward to using digital media to make this a memorable year for everyone, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a welcoming community within the BDSA.

BDSA Policy Co Lead

Fatima Alkadhimi

My name is Fatima and I am a fourth year at Bristol Dental School. I am honoured to be in the position of Co-Policy Lead for the BDSA this year.

My aspirations include collaborating to update the constitution, representing the views of the BDSA and dental students and promoting an inclusive governance within the policy working group.

I aim to achieve these goals by incorporating the literacy skills I have improved upon as a mentor and integrating my experience from the Future Leaders Programme.

I look forward to engaging in conversations with various members of the dental community to learn and grow in this role with the ambition of policy writing in my future career endeavours.