Vikram was first awarded the Young Investigator Award for outstanding Science, by the European Human Genetics Conference on the 11th June 2013 in Paris. This was a direct result of presenting his major findings in his recent publication in Nature Genetics (Nat Genet. 2013 Sep 26;45(10):1261. doi: 10.1038/ng1013-1261a.), being the only person from the UK to not only win the prize but also the only surgeon to talk at any of the oral plenaries, of which were described as being selected specifically for their quality and content. Vikram delivered the title of his talk on “Mutations of TCF12, encoding a basic-helix-loop-helix partner of TWIST1, are a frequent cause of coronal craniosynostosis”; a talk delivered to worldwide audience of researchers from across the globe.
Vikram then went on to receive Douglas Murray Prize, at the 10th West midlands Plastic Surgery meeting on the 14th of September 2013 based on the talk: Improved Diagnostic Outcomes in Craniofacial Surgery by use of Next-Generation DNA Sequencing. This prize was presented by past president of BAPRAS (2000), Mr Douglas Murray (http://www.westmidlandsplasticsurgerycourses.co.uk/douglas-murray-prize.php); being the only entry from Oxford, resulting in a 1st prize win both for the University and for Vikram out of 28 other presentations from across the UK.
Following this work, Vikram has been able to obtain a prestigious Surgical Research Fellowship award from the Royal College of Surgeons on the 1st of August 2013, successful beating over 100 other applicants. This was derived out of his project entitled: “Improved Diagnostic Outcomes in Craniofacial Surgery by use of Next-Generation DNA Sequencing”, being 1 of two of our surgeons who were able to secure a grant this year. For more information on his fellowship and project that was presented to the Royal College of Surgeons please visit: http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/surgeons/research/case-studies/one-year-research-fellowships-2012-2013#mr-vikram-sharma where there is a full profile outlining Vikram’s research.