Dr William Parker

MA, MB, BChir, PhD, PGCertTLHE, DHMSA, MRCS, MRCP

Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health

NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Cardiology

Dr Will Parker
Dr Will Parker
Profile picture of Dr Will Parker
w.parker@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 226 6159

Full contact details

Dr William Parker
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
The Cardiovascular Research Unit (CVRU), Centre for Biomedical Research,
Northern General Hospital
Herries Road
Sheffield
S5 7AU
Profile

For enquiries please contact - SMPH-West-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk

I studied Medicine and Pharmacology at the University of Cambridge before returning to my home city of Sheffield to complete the Academic Foundation and Core Medical Training Programmes.

I obtained Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 2013 and of the Royal Colleges of Physicians of the United Kingdom in 2014.

In 2015, I was appointed Clinical Research Fellow in Cardiology at the University of Sheffield with clinical tenure at the South Yorkshire Cardiothoracic Centre, Northern General Hospital.

In 2018, I was awarded a three-year British Heart Foundation Clinical Training Fellowship completed a PhD under the primary supervision of Professor Rob Storey.

In January 2022, I became National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Lecturer in Cardiology. I hold a National Training Number in Cardiology and am Honorary Registrar at the South Yorkshire Cardiothoracic Centre.

Distinctions include a high commendation from the International Aspirin Foundation in 2021, and being ranked the top candidate  in the UK at national selection for the cardiology training programme.

Research interests

My main research interest is in improving the quality and safety of drugs used to treat and prevent cardiovascular disease, especially anti-thrombotic therapy for ischaemic heart disease.

Specifically, I am currently investigating the dose-dependent effects of aspirin when used in combination with other antithrombotic agents and how drug regimens can be optimised to augment benefits whilst reducing harm.

I have a wider clinical and academic interest in the pharmacological management of cardiovascular disease and how this can be improved and investigated.

I also study and research the history of medicine and completed the Diploma in the History of Medicine of the Society of Apothecaries of London in 2019, receiving the Maccabean Prize and Osler Lectureship.


Current Projects:

  • The WILLOW programme: a series of randomised controlled trials investigating the dose-dependent effects of aspirin in combination with other antithrombotic drugs).
  • Laboratory research into aspirin preparations, metabolism of aspirin and aspirin’s effects on the thromboinflammatory response.
  • Co-investigator on a wide range of local and multi-centre clinical trials within the Cardiovascular Research Unit.
  • Research into the history of cardiology and cardiac surgery, particularly early use of cardiopulmonary bypass.
Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

Chapters

  • Parker W & Storey R (2018) Acute coronary syndromes: Thrombotic Response RIS download Bibtex download

All publications

Journal articles

Chapters

Conference proceedings papers

Teaching interests

I am Deputy Co-ordinator of the Phase 1 Cardiovascular Module for the Sheffield MB ChB course and contribute to teaching of medical students from first to final years. I also lecture on the Masters in Cardiovascular Research and Masters in Genomic Medicine programmes. I routinely supervise students completing the BSc in Medical Research.

I was awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning for Higher Education from the School of Education at the University of Sheffield in 2021.

I am also passionate about public engagement and have recently devised and delivered sessions for the NHS 70th Anniversary celebrations, Sheffield Ignite Academy, Pecha Kucha foundation and the Millennium Galleries, Sheffield (Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition).

Professional activities and memberships

I am Co-ordinator of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Thrombosis Young Researchers, having previously been a Nucleolus member (2018-20) and Vice Co-ordinator (2020-22).

I am incoming Co-Editor-in-Chief of the well-respected journal Platelets, having been a Principal Editor since 2020.

I am Deputy President of the Faculty of the History & Philosophy of Medicine & Pharmacy at the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries of London.

I am a member of the Archives Committee at the British Cardiovascular Society.