OxTalks is Changing
OxTalks will soon move to the new Halo platform and will become 'Oxford Events.' There will be a need for an OxTalks freeze. This was previously planned for Friday 14th November ā a new date will be shared as soon as it is available (full details will be available on the Staff Gateway).
In the meantime, the OxTalks site will remain active and events will continue to be published.
If staff have any questions about the Oxford Events launch, please contact halo@digital.ox.ac.uk
ThinkRare! Rare Disease Seminar
š Think Horsesā¦but donāt forget the Zebras! š¦
Did you know in the UK, there are as many people who live with a rare condition as those living with cancer (approx 1 in 17 people)? So why are we classically taught to neglect this significant patient population? Though individually uncommon, rare conditions are – paradoxically – collectively common. They can share common challenges and red flags for referral.
ThinkRare! is a new MSD Award-funded seminar series shining a spotlight on Rare Diseases from the inside-out, blending clinical case-based teaching, lived experience from patient partners, alongside interactive anatomy and histopathology.
The first session “Brain and Bone” will focuses on the Musculoskeletal and Neurological systems.
When: Tuesday 9 Dec 2025 1.30 – 5 PM
Where: Conference Room, Academic Centre, Level 3 JR Hospital
Who: This event is aimed at students with an interest in rare disease.
Free food & drink and certificate of participation provided.
Session 1 highlights: – OxRare Committee – Rare 101 – Prof Paul Wordsworth – “X-Linked Hypophosphataemia – A rare cause of mineralisation in the wrong places” – Dr Sithara Ramdas – “Duchenne’s Muscular Dystrophy – Beyond Textbooks and Toddlers” – Patient partners Mr OB / Mr DC with Dr Helen Stewart – “Lived Experiences of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 & Loeys-Dietz Syndrome” – Dr Rumyana Smilevska & Sharmila Rajendran – Rare and relevant anatomy
Spaces are free, but limited due to patient preference – please sign up with the provided link. We look forward to seeing you there!
The event schedule can be viewed here: www.instagram.com/p/DR3DVCdiGsP/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Date:
9 December 2025, 13:30
Venue:
John Radcliffe Academic, Headington OX3 9DU
Venue Details:
Conference Room, Level 3 Academic Centre
Speakers:
Dr Sithara Ramdas (University of Oxford),
Dr Helen Stewart (University of Oxford),
Prof Paul Wordsworth
Organising department:
Medical Sciences Teaching Centre
Organiser:
Medical Sciences Division
Booking required?:
Required
Booking url:
https://forms.gle/pzYQscnmke1PSPZa8
Cost:
Free
Audience:
Members of the University only
Editor:
Ruyuan Yang
