Christina Uwins - Senior Clinical Research Fellow
Christina Uwins - Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Robotic Gynaecological Oncology
Miss Christina Uwins, Senior Clinical Research Fellow in Robotic Gynaecological Oncology, joined Royal Surrey in 2019. She has worked clinically throughout the pandemic while leading her research looking to improve treatment and quality of life for women with advanced ovarian cancer.
“I am passionate about innovation in patient care to improve both patients’ experience and to support the staff looking after them. Alongside my clinical work, I am doing a research doctorate. As part of this, during the pandemic we successfully ran the MIRRORS study – an initial study into the role of minimally invasive robotic surgery for women undergoing an operation for advanced ovarian cancer following initial treatment with chemotherapy.
“MIRRORS demonstrated that robotic surgery reduced hospital stay to an average 1.5 days vs six days and average blood loss to 50ml vs 1000ml compared to open surgery. We are looking forward to opening a larger randomised trial later this year.
“Working through the pandemic has been exhausting and overwhelming at times. But the moments when people recognise and appreciate what you do, thanking you, saying that they have felt heard and understood are the highlights of my day. Coming from these most inspiring and resilient women it is a complete honour. This is where I find my motivation. Being able to make a positive impact on someone's life when they are at their most scared and vulnerable is a privilege and incredibly rewarding.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working with St Luke’s. I am fortunate to work in an amazingly supportive team with fantastic consultants and specialist nurses who are excellent teachers and encourage innovation that drive improvements in the care for our patients. I am fortunate to be mentored by such dedicated clinicians.”