About the Department of Surgery and Cancer

Surgery Theatre at St Mary's Hospital

Headed by Professor Jeremy Nicholson, the Department of Surgery and Cancer was previously known as the Division of Surgery, Oncology, Reproductive Biology and Anaesthetics (SORA).

The department comprises of the Division of Surgery, led by Professor Ara Darzi, and the Division of Cancer, led by Professor Charles Coombes.

The Department was formed at the start of the 2009-10 academic year. Our focus is on both basic science and translational research which will be of clear benefit to patients.  We will be developing a platform for personalised healthcare drawing on computational and systems medicine expertise to underpin a cohesive approach crossing the boundaries of surgical technology, safety, intensive care, basic science research in cancer and reproductive biology and toxicology as well as clinical research in surgery, oncology and obstetrics and gynaecology. 

We are committed to working within the Imperial Academic Health Sciences Centre to ensure the rapid translation of our research to improvement in patient care.  We will develop a systems biology approach to the treatment of disease which will in turn lead to real personalised healthcare. 

Our staff lead wide ranging education programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate taught and research student level and are enthusiastic in the education and training of doctors and scientists for the future.