Associated projects

Ovarian cancer and high-risk obstetrics

I really enjoyed getting involved in quality improvement projects in medical school. After assisting in a systematic review, I wanted to learn more about different methods in research and how they can inform clinical practice. I furthered my interest in women’s health, specifically gaps in knowledge and current treatment, through my elective focusing on ovarian cancer. I also wanted to investigate efforts in prevention through collaboration with the Wolfson Institute of Population Health. I wanted to combine my clinical training with a research component to further my interest in research. 

In F2, during my research-block placement, I had two projects. 

My main project was at the Wetherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, with the Ovarian Cancer Research Group. In this placement, I assisted the lab in validation studies of the Oxford Classic (the Oxford Classification of Carcinoma of the Ovary). I also studied the tumour microenvironment through multiplex immunohistochemistry and validated transcriptomic data at a protein level. The data was used in a recent paper by the group, published in Clinical Cancer Research.

My secondary project was creating a qualitative questionnaire based on a systematic review I conducted (presented at the RCOG Congress 2024). It focused on high-risk obstetrics: women who had previously undergone an organ transplant, specifically focusing on psychology and quality of life during pregnancy.

Transitioning from medical school to Foundation training can be challenging, even more so when the same clinical competencies have to be achieved in a shorter time, with additional academic requirements to meet. Your fellow F2 colleagues, the OUCAGS team as well as your educational, clinical and academic supervisors are excellent networks to guide you and support you. 

Oxford is a beautiful city to live in, and an excellent place to further your research interests and build valuable collaborations for projects you are passionate about. OUCAGS is also a fantastic network dedicated to supporting Foundation doctors to:

• balance their clinical and academic commitments;
• improve their knowledge of research methodology;
• share ideas as well as present their work at the OUCAGS Forum.

I have found the Forum events extremely useful for getting feedback on your work, supporting you to turn your ideas into reality. 

The ASFP has made me a more holistic clinician and reinforced my passion for research and integrating evidence-based medicine in clinical practice. It has inspired me to explore a specialty which I am passionate about and pursue an MRes in Women’s Health in Oxford.

June 2025