Bio
Cynthia is a senior plastic surgery trainee from the West Midlands, with an interest in paediatric plastic surgery. Having successfully completed the FRCS (Plast) examination, Cynthia took time out of clinical training to pursue a PhD at Swansea University, joining the ReconRegen research group and In Vitro Toxicology Group in 2020.
Cynthia’s research is focused on applying advanced in vitro toxicology to examine the biological effects of the Nanocellulose-based bio-ink for cartilage tissue engineering purposes. Her research aims to: 1) establish robust safety data specific to end-product application prior to in vivo testing, and 2) identify key tuneable properties of the bio-ink itself and the printed cartilage construct. Special focus will be given to understand the bio-ink’s impact on bioenergetics and oxidative stress. The goal is to achieve the best balance of biocompatibility and mechanical performance to ensure effective implant production and successful integration into the human body for use in facial reconstructive surgery.
A further ambition of Cynthia’s is to define the safety criteria and risk assessment protocols for a new class of Advanced Therapeutic Medicinal Products (ATMP), a 3D-bioprinted cartilage implant using patient’s own cells (autologous).
Cynthia also actively engages with teaching, and acts as an Associate Surgical Tutor at the Swansea University Medical School.
Selected Awards / Grants / Achievements
Jul 2016 Honours on Capstone Project: ‘Prediction of Speech Outcome in Cleft Palate’. Harvard Medical School United Kingdom Clinical Scholars Research Training Program (UKCSRT), London
May 2013 Clinical Audit Prize, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead
Dec 2011 Association of Surgeons in Training (ASiT) & British Journal of Surgery (BJS) Training Bursary
May 2009 Poster of Distinction, Associations of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) International Congress
Sep 2003 College of Medicine Vacation Bursary, University of Edinburgh
Achievements
EMSB Instructor: Full instructor for Emergency Management of Severe Burns (EMSB) course, British Burns Association (active).
Associate Surgical Tutor: Swansea University (active).
HEE Leadership Course: Selected by TPD out of 23 NTNs for fully-funded HEEWM leadership and NHS quality improvement course in recognition of leadership potential (2019)
Faculty Member: Stoke FRCS Preparation Course, Core Skills in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Surgical Skills for Foundation Doctors (2018-2021).
Anatomy demonstrator: St George’s Medical School (2010-2011).
Publication List
Jessop ZM, Dobbs TD, Ali SR, Combellack E, Clancy R, Ibrahim N, Jovic TH, Kaur AJ, Nijran A, O’Neill TB, Whitaker IS. Br J Surg. 2020 Sep;107(10):1262-1280
Taser barb penetration causing phalangeal fracture.
de Courcey C & Jones MA. BMJ Case Rep. 2021 May;14(5):e240953
DOI:Â 10.1136/bcr-2020-240953
Violence-related knife injuries in a UK city: epidemiology and impact on secondary care resources.
Malik N, Munoz B, de Courcey C, Imran R, Lee K, Chernbumroong S, Bishop J, Lord J, Gkoutos G, Bowley D, Foster M. EClinicalMedicine 2020 Mar;20:100296
DOI:Â 10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100296
Study of Lymph Node Vascular Relationships of the Inferior Epigastric Veins: the SOLVE Anatomical Study.
de Courcey C, Macdonald C, Hardwicke JT, Skillman J. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2020 Mar;73(3):544-7
DOI:Â 10.1016/j.bjps.2019.09.006
Rapid Response: Which are the best conservative interventions for lymphedema after breast cancer surgery?
Tsang C, Hardwicke J & Skillman J. BMJ. 2017:357:j2330
DOI:Â https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.j2330Â
Evaluating a new suture otoplasty technique.
Gilleard O, Walsh K, King I, Tsang C, Rhaman S, Dheansa B. JPRAS Open. 2016 Mar:7:16-8
DOI:10.1016/j.jpra.2015.03.004
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Trapeziectomy with a tendon tie-in implant for osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint.
Avisar E, Elvey M, Tsang C, Sorene E. J Hand Surg Am 2015 Jul; 40(7):1292-7
DOI:Â 10.1016/j.jhsa.2015.04.020
Bilateral thumb metacarpophalangeal joint fusion for severe hyperextension deformities in conjunction with carpometacarpal joint reconstruction.
Tsang C, Hunter A & Sorene E. Hand Surg. 2013;18(2):257-60
DOI:Â 10.1142/S0218810413720167
Improving the success of nipple reconstruction.
Tsang C, Gilleard O & Dheansa B. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2012 May; 94(4):288.
DOI:Â 10.1308/003588412X13171221591376
Dercum’s Disease as a Cause of Weight Loss Failure Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.
Tsang C, Aggrawal R & Bonanomi G. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2011 Mar-Apr;7(2):243-5
DOI:Â 10.1016/j.soard.2010.09.007
Guideline 99: Management of Cervical Cancer.
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), Edinburgh 2008.
Participation as a member of the guideline development group acknowledged in published guideline.