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

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
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
Level 4
Jessop Wing
Tree Root Walk
Sheffield
S10 2SF
Profile

For enquiries please contact - ClinMed-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

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

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

Chapters

Other

  • Parker V & Hancock B () GESTATIONAL TROPHOBLASTIC DISEASE 5th EDITION (2022). RIS download Bibtex download

All publications

Journal articles

Chapters

Other

  • Parker V & Hancock B () GESTATIONAL TROPHOBLASTIC DISEASE 5th EDITION (2022). RIS download Bibtex download
Grants

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

  1. PREDICT GTN programme – Quantitative research to predict single-agent chemotherapy resistance in patients diagnosed with Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia.
  2. Qualitative research into the experience of patients diagnosed with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease.
  3. PREDICT-PAS – Quantitative research to investigate earlier diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum disorder.
Teaching interests

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

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.

Links

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