Dr Victoria Parker

MA, MB BChir (Cantab), MRCOG, SFHEA,

Department of Oncology and Metabolism

Clinical Research Fellow

Dr Victoria Parker
Dr Victoria Parker
Profile picture of Dr Victoria Parker
v.parker@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 215 9244
Level 4, Jessop Wing

Full contact details

Dr Victoria Parker
Department of Oncology and Metabolism
Level 4
Jessop Wing
Tree Root Walk
Sheffield
S10 2SF
Profile

For enquiries, please contact - iicd-om-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 was appointed as a Clinical Research Fellow in the Department of Oncology and Metabolism and successfully obtained two large grants from Weston Park Cancer Charity in Sheffield. My PhD is supervised by Professor Barry Hancock and Professor Allan Pacey.

In 2019, I obtained membership of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and was appointed joint lead for the Clinical Aspects (OCP6114) module of the MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine at The University of Sheffield. In 2020, I was awarded a certificate from The Institute of Leadership and Management, having completed the University of Sheffield The Researcher as Manager programme.

Most recently, in 2021, I was privileged to be recognised as a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. 

Research interests

My research interests lie within the rare, but important condition Gestational Trophoblastic Disease. I am primarily interested in improving the diagnosis and management of patients diagnosed with this condition, particularly the malignant form, Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia. I have a broader interest in Gynaecological Oncology and biomarkers of disease, such as microRNA.

Current projects

  1. PREDICT GTN- Predicting disease resistance in patients diagnosed with Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia.
Publications

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Journal articles

All publications

Journal articles

Teaching interests

I enjoy delivering a variety of teaching sessions on the MB ChB Phase 3A Women’s Health Module and upon the MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine at The University of Sheffield. I deliver Obstetrics and Gynaecology revision lectures to Phase 4 MB ChB students prior to their final examinations. I have supervised three (2 postgraduate, 1 undergraduate) students undertaking the MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, three BSc students from Sheffield Hallam and Hull University completing a year-long laboratory placement and ~20 MB ChB students across Phases 1-4, undertaking either Student Selected Components (SSC) 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

I am a Specialty Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust.

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

In 2016-2017, I won the Departmental, 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.

In November 2019, I won the KV Bailey Prize at the North of England Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society regional finals, awarded for the best original research and oral presentation.

In 2019, I was fortunate to be awarded two travel scholarships from the International Society for the Study of Trophoblastic Diseases (ISSTD) and Jean’s Trust for Gestational Trophoblastic Disease.

Links

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