£3 million Department of Health and Social Care grant to fund landmark prostate cancer surgery trial
1 April 2026
Professor Prasanna Sooriakumaran, from the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (NDS), has been awarded a £3 million grant from the Department of Health and Social Care to lead a major new clinical trial that could transform the global treatment of early, lethal prostate cancer.
Professor Rutger Ploeg receives BTS Lifetime Achievement Award
30 March 2026
Professor Rutger Ploeg ,who set up the Transplant Research Group Laboratory in NDS and founded the QUOD UK biobank in donation and transplantation, received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to transplantation at the British Transplantation Society (BTS) Annual Congress.
QUOD biobank showcased at Oxford Brookes Science Bazaar
30 March 2026
The Quality in Organ Donation (QUOD) team was delighted to take part in the Oxford Brookes Science Bazaar 2026 for the very first time. It was an impressive event, with an estimated 10,000 attendees, and the day brought together families from across Oxfordshire for an educational day exploring science.
Oxford convenes cross-sector forum to advance climate and health research
25 March 2026
A forum bringing together leading voices in climate and health was held at the Oxford Martin School on Tuesday 17 March 2026, connecting researchers, clinicians and funders to map Oxford’s strengths and explore opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.
NDS professor awarded international honour for outstanding contribution to paediatric surgery
5 March 2026
The Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (NDS) is proud to announce that Professor Kokila Lakhoo has been named the 2026 recipient of the Denis Browne Gold Medal by the British Association of Paediatric Surgeons (BAPS), in recognition of her outstanding contributions to paediatric surgery.
Dr Ágata Carreira awarded Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship to pursue research in prostate cancer
19 February 2026
Dr Ágata Carreira, a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, has been awarded a two-year Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship by the European Commission to develop her line of research on prostate cancer.
Nature Communications paper from NDS honoured by German Society for Gene Therapy
10 February 2026
A publication from the Translational Research and Immunology Group at the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (NDS) has received the Paper of the Quarter Award from the German Society for Gene Therapy (DG-GT).
Study tests whether deep brain stimulation can treat chronic pain
3 February 2026
A research study by Oxford neurosurgeons and engineers is trialling whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) – delivering an electrical pulse into affected areas of the brain – can help to relieve central post-stroke pain (CPSP).
Treatment of tumours with sound: New high-intensity focused ultrasound machine installed
2 February 2026
A new state-of-the-art high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) machine has been installed at the Churchill Hospital, giving Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) cancer patients access to the latest in this innovative technology.
New clinical study launched examining the role of insulin in breast cancer treatment response
28 January 2026
A new clinical study has launched to investigate whether insulin levels influence how women with the most common type of breast cancer respond to treatment.
Testing the feasibility of MRI scanning for the assessment and monitoring of kidneys before and after transplantation
23 January 2026
A new clinical study, led by researchers at the University of Oxford, Oxford University Hospitals and the University of Nottingham, is exploring whether advanced MRI scanning of kidneys before and after transplantation could provide a non-invasive, objective way to evaluate donor organs and monitor transplant health – potentially transforming how kidneys are assessed and managed within routine clinical practice.
Daljit Dhariwal awarded national honour
22 January 2026
Daljit Dhariwal, Deputy Director for Teaching in Surgery at the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (NDS), University of Oxford, has been awarded the Down Surgical Prize by the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (BAOMS), one of the Association’s highest honours.
New study highlights global impact of Oxford’s graduate global surgery course
15 January 2026
Oxford University Global Surgery Group has published a new paper in Global Surgical Education (Springer Nature), showcasing the impact and global reach of its Global Surgery Short Course. Titled ‘Perspectives and impact of a graduate global surgery course’, the paper offers valuable insights into the course’s role in shaping careers and advancing surgical care worldwide.
Begum Zeybek-Saglam named UKTMN Trial Manager of the Year 2025
19 December 2025
We are delighted to announce that Begum Zeybek-Saglam, Trial Manager in the Surgical Intervention Trials Unit (SITU), Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (NDS), has been awarded UKTMN (UK Trial Managers’ Network) Trial Manager of the Year 2025.
Comms team celebrates nomination success at University Apprenticeships Awards
17 December 2025
The communications team at the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences is celebrating a fantastic achievement with two colleagues recognised at the 2025 University of Oxford Apprenticeships Awards.
Pump-priming grants available as 2026 Innovation Competition open for entries
11 December 2025
The Quality in Organ Donation (QUOD) programme at the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences is excited to announce that applications are open for the 2026 Innovation Competition, a partnership between the charity Live Life Give Life, QUOD and the British Transplantation Society (BTS).
Major new initiative for type 1 diabetes research
28 November 2025
The University of Oxford has received a £10 million donation from the Bukhman Foundation to establish the Bukhman Centre for Research Excellence in Type 1 Diabetes, alongside new academic posts and scholarships.
In Discussion with Funders: Supporting researchers on the path to successful grant applications
27 November 2025
Early- and mid-career researchers from across the Medical Sciences Division gathered on Wednesday 12 November for In Discussion with Funders, a panel event hosted by the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (NDS) in the Richard Doll Lecture Theatre at the Old Road Campus.
Oxford Research Training Course empowers global surgery collaborators
11 November 2025
On Saturday 8 November 2025, the Oxford Research Training Course was held virtually, bringing together participants from across Africa and the UK.
Symposium honours the life and legacy of Professor Tipu Aziz
5 November 2025
The Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (NDS) hosted a special symposium on Friday 17 October 2025 in honour of Professor Tipu Aziz (1956–2024), Emeritus Professor of Neurosurgery and founder and head of Oxford Functional Neurosurgery.