Dr Victoria Parker
MA, MB BChir (Cantab), PhD, MRCOG, SFHEA
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology
+44 114 215 9244
Full contact details
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
Level 4
Jessop Wing
Tree Root Walk
Sheffield
S10 2SF
- Profile
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For enquiries please contact - SMPH-West-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk
I obtained a MA in Neuroscience and medical degree from The University of Cambridge in 2011. Following qualification, I moved to Sheffield to commence clinical training and entered the Speciality training programme in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in 2013.
In 2016, I paused my clinical training to set up a PhD in Gynaecological Oncology, specifically Gestational Trophoblastic Disease, for which Weston Park Cancer Centre in Sheffield is one of only two specialist treatment centres in the United Kingdom. I obtained membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2019. In 2020, I gained certification from The Institute of Leadership and Management.
In 2021, I was privileged to be awarded Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) in recognition of my commitment to teaching. I was subsequently appointed as a clinical academic at The University of Sheffield, securing a Clinical Research and Teaching Fellowship in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine. I was awarded my PhD in March 2022 and quickly secured a National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Lectureship in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in June 2022.
- Research interests
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My research interests lie within the rare, but important condition Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. I lead both qualitative and quantitative research designed to improve and personalise the diagnosis and management of patients diagnosed with this condition, including the malignant subtype Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia. I have a broader interest in Gynaecological Oncology, Placenta accreta spectrum disorder, and biomarkers of disease, such as circulating microRNA and their role in disorders of male and female reproductive health.
- Publications
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- Grants
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Small grant income total £51,751.
Large grant income:
- NIHR Research for Patient Benefit Programme, £137,309, 2023.
- Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, Sheffield: £100,000, 2018.
- Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, Sheffield: £99,854, 2016.
Current projects
- PREDICT GTN programme – Quantitative research to predict single-agent chemotherapy resistance in patients diagnosed with Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia.
- Qualitative research into the experience of patients diagnosed with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease.
- PREDICT-PAS – Quantitative research to investigate earlier diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum disorder.
- Teaching interests
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I undertake leadership positions within both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching programmes.
I am Deputy Director of the Phase 3a MB ChB course at The Medical School, University of Sheffield, and Deputy Lead of the Women’s Health rotation upon the MB ChB programme. I deliver a variety of lecture-based, small group and bedside teaching sessions for Phase 3a students.
Within the postgraduate MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, I lead the Clinical Aspects module (OCP6114) and am Deputy Lead of the Social Aspects module (OCP6115), delivering regular teaching sessions within both programmes. I supervise research project students on a yearly basis, undertaking laboratory or bench research.
I have supervised >30 undergraduate and postgraduate students, including 6 students undertaking an MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, three BSc students from Sheffield Hallam and Hull University completing a year-long laboratory placement and ~25 MB ChB students across Phases 1-4, undertaking either Student Selected Components (SSC), medical electives or voluntary extra-curricular projects with me in their spare time.
I am passionate about public engagement and raising the profile of Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. In addition to the two patient support groups which I have helped to set up, I have engaged with media outlets (newspapers and television) to publicise the condition and the important research being conducted.
- Professional activities and memberships
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I am an Honorary Specialty Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, and intend to specialise in Gynaecological Oncology.
I am a founding member of the PREDICT-GTN microRNA collaboration team, involving Sheffield, U.K, London U.K and Boston, USA.
I jointly set up (alongside two affected patients) two Facebook support groups; one for patients diagnosed with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease who do not require treatment, and the other for patients who sadly have the cancerous form that needs further treatment (chemotherapy).
I work closely with Weston Park Cancer Charity, attending outreach and fundraising events to promote the excellent work of the Charity.
Awards & Prizes
I have won several awards for public speaking, including the:
- University of Sheffield and North of England ‘Three Minute Thesis’ competitions; communicating a summary of my research within three minutes in an engaging format that could be understood by a non-specialist audience.
- KV Bailey Prize at the North of England Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society regional finals, awarded for the best original research and oral presentation.
I have received two scholarships from the International Society for the Study of Trophoblastic Diseases (ISSTD) and Jean’s Trust for Gestational Trophoblastic Disease.