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Sophie Clarke

DPhil Student

I am a DPhil student in the Pain group at the Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, supervised by Professor Irene Tracey

My DPhil research currently focusses predominantly on two areas:

Firstly, the characterisation of the neural signature of pain using high-field 7T MRI to explore in detail the pain response in both healthy volunteers and selected chronic pain patient cohorts. 

Secondly, the validation of pain biomarkers for use in clinical trials for analgesics, through contributing to the IMI-PainCare BioPain RCT4 study. The multi-centre trial aims to investigate the effects of known analgesics (lacosamide, pregabalin and tapentadol) on biomarkers of pain processing observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) of the brain.

Before arriving at Oxford I completed my undergraduate degree in Physiological Sciences (MSci) at Bristol University, graduating in 2016. During my degree I completed a one-year industrial placement at Eli Lilly, where I worked in the in-vitro electrophysiology team researching neuropathic pain disorder therapies, focusing on pharmacological modulators affecting peripheral nociceptive processing. Between graduating in 2016 and starting my DPhil in 2019, I worked in pharmaceutical consultancy focusing on UK market access for new medicines. 

Outside of my research, I am a member of the NDCN Student Club Committee, involved in representing students within the department and organising social events for students. I also play polo with Oxford University Polo Club and regularly take part in university matches, as well as being the club secretary. 


Research groups