Chair of the Irish Association for Simulation

Dr. Crina Burlacu MD, MSc, FCARCSI, DEAA is a Founding Member and the current Chair of the Irish Association for Simulation.  She has been a Consultant Anaesthetist with the National Breast Screening Service, St. Vincent’s University Hospital and St. Columcille’s Hospital Dublin since 2009. She is Director of Simulation Training at the College of Anaesthetists in Ireland (CAI), role to which she was appointed back in 2008 after returning from a 1-year Simulation Fellowship in Barts and the London NHS Trust.  In her role, Dr. Burlacu has devised, implemented and directed the introduction of mandatory simulation training for Specialist Anaesthesia Trainees. Under her directorship, the College of Anaesthetists Simulation Training (CAST) programme has gained widespread national and international recognition. She has extensive experience with single- and multi-specialty high-fidelity simulation training having contributed to the development and delivery of multiple simulation-based courses, workshops and other events for an array of healthcare learners. Her current research interest is the role of simulation training in the development of anaesthesia non-technical skills.

IAS Committee Menber, Director of Simulation and Clinical Skills Based Learning

Director of NI postgraduate training programme for anaesthesia

Examiner for Royal College of Anaesthetists (London)

Patent Holder for three current medical devices

Medical Director of "Trucorp" successful QUB spin out company

Director of the Clinical Skills Centre, QUB

IAS Commitee Member

Dr. Paul O’Connor is a Human Factors Psychologist and Lecturer in Primary Care at NUI Galway. He has a wide range of experience in teaching and carrying out research on improving human performance and safety in high risk work environments in healthcare, as well as other domains (e.g. military and commercial aviation, Naval special forces, nuclear power generation, offshore oil production). He has authored more than 60 publications on the topic of human factors and safety in high risk industries, including a co-authored book on nontechnical skills entitled ‘Safety at the Sharp End’.