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Schools Outreach

DPhil students from our Endometriosis research group, delivered a thought provoking and popular workshop to year 7 and 8 students at the Cheney School in Oxford, as part of a "Future of Genetics" Day. The aim was to inspire the next generation of scientists on how research utilises “future technology” single-cell RNA-sequencing for studying endometriosis.

Neva Kandzija wins Oxford Sparks Animation Competition

A huge well done to our DPhil student Neva Kandzija, who won an amazing prize from Oxford Sparks to have her Placenta research transformed into a two minute animation film called “How do unborn babies and mothers communicate via the placenta?”.

Apply now

"The MSc in Clinical Embryology course awoke the scientist in me. I became proficient in scientific writing, critical thinking, experimental design and data presentation". Our course has won numerous awards for teaching and excellence. It provides students with advanced theoretical and practical understanding of human reproductive biology, embryology, infertility and assisted reproductive technology (ART). Apply now for entry in October 2020, closes 12pm Friday 10th January 2020.

Understanding the origins of ovarian cancer

Research into the early detection of ovarian cancer by the Ahmed group, receives a boost thanks to a gift of £43,000 from the Dianne Oxberry Trust. More than 250,000 women around the world are diagnosed with ovarian cancer every year, with almost half dying from the disease. This makes ovarian cancer the most common cause of death from a gynaecological malignancy. Late diagnosis a key contributing factor.

100,000 babies screened

Celebrating a major milestone! Our researchers contribute to the international success of the Global Platform for the Prevention of Autoimmune Diabetes (GPPAD). 100k babies across Europe (inc 7500 newborns in Thames Valley) have now been successfully screened for an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

The Women's Centre

The department's main offices are on level 3 of the Women’s Centre (John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford) which is responsible for the care of over 7,000 pregnant women and over 7,500 new gynaecology patients per year. The hospital is a tertiary referral centre for obstetric medicine, pre-natal diagnosis, endometriosis, reproductive medicine, IVF, urogynaecology and gynaecological oncology.

Studies for pregnant women

The Oxford Safer Pregnancy Alliance (OSPREA) recruits pregnant women for a range of observational and interventional studies. We are supported by the Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, (part of the University of Oxford) the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and the Thames Valley & South Midlands Clinical Research Network, part of the National Institute for Health Research.

The George Institute for Global Health UK

The Department of Women's & Reproductive Health includes The George Institute for Global Health UK (TGI) whose mission is to increase access to quality health care for millions of people worldwide - with a particular focus on vulnerable women in resource-poor settings.

Our Department

The Nuffield Department of Women’s & Reproductive Health (NDWRH) is one of the largest and most successful academic departments in the world in its field. We have over 160 members including senior academic staff, research support staff, clerical and technical staff, and graduate students (including clinicians) carrying out research towards a higher degree.

The department includes The George Institute for Global Health UK, whose mission is to increase access to quality health care for millions of people worldwide - with a particular focus on vulnerable women in resource-poor settings.

Our clinical and laboratory programmes are based in the Women’s Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital; Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine; Winchester House, and the Big Data 8 Institute, and there are collaborations with the School’s Institutes, the University’s Science Departments and with researchers outside Oxford, in both the UK and abroad, especially in low middle income countries. Read more.

Experts for 80 Years

Established in 1937, we have been experts in Women's Health for more than 80 years. See a timeline of our key achievements here.

Our department has thirty two research groups and our work has four overarching themes; Cancer, Global Health, Maternal & Fetal Health and Reproductive Medicine & Genetics.

Tweets by Ox_wrh

CANCER

Cancer small

Learn about our research on nanoparticles in cancer and ovarian cancer. We explore the molecular mechanisms that drive cancer and which targeted therapies can be utilised to improve treatment.

GLOBAL HEALTH

Explore how the George Institute UK and other research groups are working with vulnerable women in resource-poor settings around the world and how they are increasing their access to quality health care.

MATERNAL & FETAL HEALTH

Maternal and Fetal Health

Discover more about health and disease throughout pregnancy and the effects on maternal and fetal outcome. Read more on Fetal Monitoring; INGR1D Study; OSPREA and Pre-eclampsia.

REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE & GENETICS

Reproductive Medicine and Genetics

Find out about our work on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART); Endometriosis; Fertility Preservation; Miscarriage; Oocytes and Ovaries; Pain in Women; Rhino Fertility Project and Sperm.

STUDY WITH US

We run three world class Postgraduate study programmes: MSc in Clinical Embryology (1 year residential programme) MSc by Research (2 years research degree) and DPhil (3-4 years research degree). Click on the slideshows below for more details on each course.

MSc state of the art laboratories

Our world class MSc in Clinical Embryology course provides students with theoretical and practical understanding of human reproductive biology, embryology, infertility and ART including the very latest developments in ART, legislation, ethics, and quality control.

MSc global reach

The MSc in Clinical Embryology was established in 2008 and since then, we have taught 164 graduate students from 48 countries around the world. The course has won numerous University awards for teaching innovation and excellence.

MSc teaching site

The MSc course is based at Winchester House on the Oxford Science Park, with dedicated state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities.

MSc practical training

Our MSc course was specifically designed to include intense laboratory practical training. Students learn skills and techniques directly relevant to assisted reproductive technology (ART), as well as a range of ‘traditional’ and ‘cutting edge’ scientific techniques and procedures.

Director of Graduate Studies

Professor Krina Zondervan is our Director of Graduate Studies. We offer a two-year MSc by Research and a three-year DPhil in Women's and Reproductive Health. These involve undertaking independent research in your chosen area under the supervision of an expert in your field.

Research degree projects

There are a variety of projects available for DPhil and MSc by Research students. We are now closed for applications for entry in October 2019. The projects below might be available for entry in October 2020, so do feel free to contact supervisors.

MitOX 2020 Bookings open

20 November 2019

The Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health invites you to MitOX 2020 on Friday 3rd April 2020 in Oxford. It's our annual meeting packed with short talks and posters on cancer metabolism, neuroscience, diabetes, mitochondrial disorders and general mitochondrial biology.

How do unborn babies and mothers communicate via the placenta?

8 November 2019

DPhil student Neva Kandzija wins an Oxford Sparks competition to have her Placenta research transformed into a two minute animation film for free.

More news

Latest publications

Activating mutations of the G-protein subunit a11 interdomain interface cause autosomal dominant hypocalcemia type 2
Journal article

Gorvin C. et al, (2019), The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Mass cytometry analysis reveals a distinct immune environment in peritoneal fluid in endometriosis: a characterisation study
Journal article

GUO M. et al, (2019), BMC Medicine
Increasing Insulin Resistance Predicts Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Journal article

HIRST J., (2019), Journal of Diabetes

JOBS

https://data.ox.ac.uk/feeds/vacancies/23232645