Exeter Students Publish First-Author Study in Prestigious Surgical Journal

Two Exeter College medical students, Victor Popoola (2019, Medicine) and Grace Wheeler (2019, Medicine), have achieved the rare distinction of publishing as first authors in the Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, a leading peer-reviewed journal for clinical surgery. 

Their article, titled Patients’ Priorities in Kidney Stone Disease, emerged from a research project supervised by Professor Sarah Howles, Supernumerary Fellow at Exeter College and a clinician-scientist in the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences. The publication marks a significant early milestone in both students’ academic and clinical careers, and contributes meaningful insight into patient-centred care in urology. 

Working with a survey of 44 patients across inpatient and outpatient settings, Popoola and Wheeler examined the symptoms, concerns, and treatment preferences of individuals with kidney stone disease (KSD). The study found that most respondents experienced a significant quality-of-life impact from KSD, and expressed strong interest in improved treatments and preventative therapies, particularly those tailored through personalised medicine. 

Victor and Grace contributed equally to the study, which also involved collaboration with senior clinicians and researchers from Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.  

The Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England is the College’s flagship journal and a highly regarded platform for surgical research. Acceptance in such a publication reflects the quality, rigour, and clinical relevance of the students’ work. 

To read more about the journal, visit the Annals website.