University of Exeter Medical School

Dr Sam Merriel

Dr Sam Merriel

Clinical Senior Research Fellow

 S.W.D.Merriel@exeter.ac.uk

 College House 1.18

 

College House, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK

Overview

I am a GP and Clinical Senior Research Fellow funded by the CanTest Collaborative, Cancer Research UK's inaugural Catalyst Award programme. Led by Prof Willie Hamilton (Exeter) and Prof Fiona Walter (QMUL/Cambridge), the CanTest Collaborative is a team of primary care cancer researchers who are investigating ways of developing and implementing new and improved cancer diagnostic tests into GP surgeries. I am a member of the Diagnosis of Symptomatic Cancer Optimally (DISCO) team within the Medical School studying the potential impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as a diagnostic test for prostate cancer within primary care.

Qualifications

PhD - Doctor of Philosophy (Medical Studies), University of Exeter, UK (2018-2022)

MRCGP - Member of Royal College of General Practitioners, UK (August 2018)

AFHEA - Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy, Advance HE (2020)

MSc - Masters of Science (Public Health), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK (2012-2013)

MBBS (Hons) - Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (with honours), Monash University, Australia (2004 - 2009)

BMedSc (Hons) - Bachelor of Medical Science (with honours), Monash University, Australia (2007)

Career

I grew up and studied Medicine in Melbourne, Australia, on the land of the Wurundjeri people to whom I am endebted to. Prior to joining the DISCO team, I completed an NIHR Academic Clinical Fellowship in General Practice in Bristol, working within the Centre for Academic Primary Care at the University of Bristol. I obtained Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) in August 2018. I have also completed a Masters of Science (Public Health) at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.

I am Associate Editor and Editorial Board member for the British Journal of General Practice (BJGP), and Senior Board Member for BMC Cancer. I am an early career primary care researcher supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network West of England, and vice-chair of the Primary Care Academic Collaborative (PACT).

Links

Research group links

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Research

Research interests

My primary research interests focus around the prevention and early detection of cancer in primary care. I am currently studying the potential impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as a diagnostic test for prostate cancer within primary care. I am exploring the accepatability, cost effectiveness, and patient centred outcomes associated with MRI. I have conducted and published research employing systematic reviews and meta-analyses, observational studies using primary and secondary data, delphi studies, and qualitative interviews on a range of topics including prostate cancer diagnoses, hypoalbuminaemia and cancer risk in primary care, and HPV vaccination for cancer prevention.

Research projects

Current Projects:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging for prostate cancer diagnosis in primary care
  • Screening, Prevention and Early Diagnosis of cancer research: A systematic mapping review
  • Primary care models for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer: the ProsDetect study
  • Evaluating ethnic differences in blood markers of cancer in primary care
  • Be Clear on Cancer 2018 fourth national ‘Blood in pee’ campaign final evaluation
  • How do we care for older housebound people? A feasibility study using the Primary care Academic CollaboraTive (PACT) model

Research networks

CanTest Collaborative

Society for Academic Primary Care

Primary care Academic CollaboraTive (PACT)

Research grants

  • 2022 CRUK
    ‘A multimodal electronic capsule for identification of visual and biological markers of early stage colorectal cancer - Samplecam’
  • 2022 CRUK
    ‘Towards a ‘toothbrush’ sensor for passive biomarker monitoring – “Sens Or Pass”
  • 2021 CRUK
    ‘Evaluating ethnic differences in blood markers of cancer in primary care’ Early Detection and Diagnosis Project Award (A31440) £136,365.88
  • 2021 National Institute for Health Research, Research for Patient Benefit
    ‘Primary care models for the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer: the ProsDetect study’ Research for Patient Benefit competition 43 (NIHR202732) £149,710.00
  • 2021 NIHR School for Primary Care Research
    ‘Presenting Complaints for Prostate Cancer in Primary Care: The PC3 study’
  • 2021 NIHR School for Primary Care Research
    ‘Development of primary care referral guidelines for patients with Papilloedema and Pseudopapilloedema – the DIPP study’
  • 2021 National Institute for Health HSR Programme
    ‘The SPOtting Cancer among Comorbidities (SPOCC) programme. Supporting clinical decision making in patients with symptoms of cancer and pre-existing conditions’
  • 2020 Public Health England
    Be Clear on Cancer 2018 fourth national ‘Blood in pee’ campaign final evaluation £7,500

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Teaching

I am an experienced educator for undergraduate and postgraduate medical and health sciences courses, in subjects ranging from epidemiology, primary care, and anatomy.

Current teaching roles =

HPDM079 'From Theory to Quality to Practice' - Module co-lead

Communities of Practice tutor, BMBS Year 2

Final Year Project supervisor, BSc Medical Sciences

PBL Reserve tutor, BMBS Year 2

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