Investigate obesity/high BMI as risk factors for early pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest of human cancers that is often diagnosed at advanced and incurable stages. Early detection of malignant disease is key to improving survival. A focus of the Hogan lab is to increase our understanding of the biology of early pancreatic cancer to inform new biomarker discovery. We use in vivo mouse models of pancreatic cancer, cell biology assays, organoids, fluorescence microscopy and quantitative imaging approaches to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying how genetically mutant cells expand and grow in adult pancreas tissues. We have recently discovered that genetically mutant cells compete for space and survival in healthy pancreas tissues in vivo and are often outcompeted by normal cells. We believe that cell competition in the adult pancreas prevents tumourigenesis and is required to maintain tissue health. Obesity/high body mass index (BMI) are major risk factors for human pancreatic cancer. In this project, we will combine 3D tissue imaging and in vivo mouse models of disease to investigate how obesity/high BMI contribute to early cancer. Our goal is to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying how these risk factors decrease tissue health and tip the competition in favour of mutant cells.

This PhD is fully funded by an Amser Justin Time PhD studentship and will be for 3.5 years starting from Jan1st 2021. The successful student will be expected to work as part of a team and be willing to interact and collaborate with interdisciplinary groups. Candidates should hold an undergraduate degree in Life Sciences. Having an understanding of cell biology and microscopy would be an advantage.

HOW TO APPLY
This studentship has a start date of January 2021. In order to be considered you must submit a formal application via Cardiff University’s online application service. (To access the application system, click the ’Visit Institution’ button on this advert) 
There is a box at the top right of the page labelled ‘Apply’, please ensure you select the correct ‘Qualification’ (Doctor of Philosophy), the correct ‘Mode of Study’ (Full Time) and the correct ‘Start Date’ (January 2021). This will take you to the application portal. 
In order to be considered candidates must submit the following information: 

• A personal statement (750 words maximum) outlining (i) your academic excellence, (ii) suitability for the project, (iii) what you hope to achieve from the PhD and (iv) your research experience to-date.
• A CV, including full details of all University course grades to date.
• Qualification certificates 
• Proof of English language (if applicable)

In the research proposal section of the application, please specify the project title and supervisors of the project and copy the project description in the text box provided. In the funding section, select “I will be applying for a scholarship/grant” and specify advertised funding from ‘Amser Justin Time’.