Dr Victoria Geenes
When and where did you do your medical training and what did you train as?
I am doing my medical training at Imperial College London. As part of our course we have to take a year to do a BSc degree, which includes the opportunity to do a research project. I chose to study Medical Sciences with Hepatology, and for my research project to be based in Professor Catherine Williamson’s laboratory. It was during this year that I first became interested in research and combining this with my future clinical career. On completion of my BSc I was offered a PhD studentship to undertake a further period of research under the supervision of Professor Williamson. I have recently completed this and have returned to the medical course to complete my final year of study. I hope to qualify as a junior doctor this summer.
What made you focus on OC?
During my medical course I had particularly enjoyed my clinical attachment in obstetrics and therefore chose a to do research project which combined hepatology and obstetrics – hence OC.
What has your research found out so far?
My work has mainly involved studying the effect of OC on the placenta. I have looked at how the high levels of bile acids in the mother’s blood may affect the microscopic structure of the placenta and how UDCA may help to protect against these changes. I have also been investigating how the levels of individual bile acids in both the mother’s blood and the baby’s blood differ in OC compared to normal pregnancy. We hope that any differences we identify may help explain some of the devastating outcomes associated with OC.
Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
I hope to be working as a doctor and to still be involved with research.
Do you ever find time to relax?!
Ask me again after my exams!
PS: We are delighted to report that Victoria passed her medical exams in the summer of 2010.
