Helen Stark
DPhil Student/Clinical Research Fellow Plastic Surgery
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR ROLE
For my thesis I am researching the utility of sentinel skin flaps for monitoring rejection in solid organ transplants. I am using a combination of cellular and molecular techniques to investigate the changes in the immune response seen in these patients, with the goal of identifying either new biomarkers of rejection, or targets for treatment.
I have taken time out of training in plastic surgery to undertake this period of research training, as long term I would love to hold dual roles as both a surgeon and scientist. I am particularly interested in the possibilities offered by reconstructive transplantation, hence research in transplant immunology!
As a DPhil student I am one of many in MSD working as part of research groups, all ultimately focussed on making discoveries that will improve patient outcomes.
WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL ASPECT OF YOUR WORK?
For me it is meeting the patients who are taking part in our trials and hearing their stories. Ultimately my goal is to contribute findings that will improve how we monitor for rejection hopefully leading to better outcomes for these patients.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOMETHING YOU'VE DONE, CONTRIBUTED TO THAT YOU'RE MOST PROUD OF?
Successfully applying for ethical approval for a clinical trial looking at using sentinel skin flaps for monitoring in lung transplantation (along with my supervisors).
WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO SEE IN THE MEDICAL SCIENCES IN THE NEXT 100 YEARS?
Continue to see support for increased diversity in all areas of the department.