Investigating the causes of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms using multidisciplinary approaches. at Aberdeen University on FindAPhD.com

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Prof Lesley Anderson, Dr Charlotte Robertson, Dr Mary Kynn No more applications being accepted Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

Aberdeen United Kingdom Cancer Biology Occupational Health

About the Project

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of rare blood cancers that affect just over 2 people in every 100,000¹. They have a significant impact on patient quality of life and can progress to more aggressive disease states including acute leukaemia. Until relatively recently MPNs were not classified as cancers and so attracted little research interest. Consequently, there is little known about their causes². There is therefore a great interest in understanding what causes MPNs and to identify ways to reduce the risk of developing these conditions from a lay, clinical and research perspective.

In order to achieve this the 4-year PhD studentship will use multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the causes of MPNs including:

(i) Updating a previously published systematic review led by Prof Anderson²,

(ii) Analysing healthcare data from NHS Grampian to investigate pre-existing medical conditions and medication usage.

(iii) Analysing data collected from an ongoing UK-wide case-control study on demographic, lifestyle, medical and occupational risk factors for MPNs. This exciting project will provide the student with the opportunity to join a diverse team of researchers and patient representatives from across the UK, Australia and USA, working on the MOSAICC (MyelOproliferative neoplasmS: An In-depth Case-Control) study. This study is building on a previous pilot case-control study^3-5which identified smoking, obesity, increasing childhood household density, and multiple CT scans as possible causes of MPNs⁶. The study will be the largest epidemiological study of MPN patients to date worldwide.

The project will involve training in research design and delivery, statistical analysis and communication with patients via MPN Voice, a UK patient charity supporting patients with MPNs. It has the potential to inform knowledge on the causes of MPNs and could lead to the development of preventative strategies, screening, and guideline development and to improve patient prognosis and care.

Useful previous experience for the studentship.

This project would suit a graduate with a background in public health, medical statistics, or (health) data science. Ideally the student will have a strong understanding of cancer, public health methodology, medical statistics and data-handling, but the student should have a willingness to learn and develop new expertise and skills. Good scientific writing skills and practical experience of statistical analysis (using STATA, R or SPSS) will be important as the study will involve conducting a systematic review and analysis of healthcare data and data collected from a UK-wide case-control study. Experience of advanced statistical methods and database management would be highly desirable.

The project will largely be based in the Aberdeen Centre for Health Data Science in the Institute of Applied Health Sciences. Informal enquires are welcome to [Email Address Removed].

Application procedure:

This project is advertised in relation to the research areas of the APPLIED HEALTH SCIENCES. Formal applications can be completed online: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/pgap/login.php. You should apply for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Health Science, to ensure that your application is passed to the correct person for processing. The deadline for submissions is Friday 5th March 2021.

Note clearly the name of the supervisor and exact project title on the application form. If you do not mention the project title and the supervisor on your application, then it will not be considered for the studentship.

Funding Notes

This project is funded by the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition. Overseas candidates can apply for this studentship but will have to find additional funding to cover the difference between overseas and home fees (approximately £16,625 per annum).
Candidates should have (or expect to achieve) a minimum of a 2.1 Honours degree in a relevant subject.

References

1. Titmarsh GJ, Duncombe AS, McMullin MF, O’Rorke M, Mesa R, De Vocht F, Horan S, Fritschi L, Clarke M, Anderson LA. How common are myeloproliferative neoplasms? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Hematol. 2014 Jun;89(6):581–7.
2. Anderson LA, Duncombe AS, Hughes M, Mills ME, Wilson JC, McMullin MF. Environmental, lifestyle, and familial/ethnic factors associated with myeloproliferative neoplasms. Am J Hematol. 2012 Feb;87(2):175–82.
3. James G, McMullin MF, Duncombe AS, Clarke M, Anderson LA. The MOSAICC study: Assessing feasibility for biological sample collection in epidemiology studies and comparison of DNA yields from saliva and whole blood samples. Ann Hum Genet. 2018 Mar;82(2):114-118.
4. Anderson LA, James G, Duncombe AS, Mesa R, Scherber R, Dueck AC, de Vocht F, Clarke M, McMullin MF. Myeloproliferative neoplasm patient symptom burden and quality of life: evidence of significant impairment compared to controls. Am J Hematol. 2015 Oct;90(10):864–70.
5. McMullin MF, James G, Duncombe AS, de Vocht F, Fritschi L, Clarke M, Anderson LA. Patient perspectives of a diagnosis of myeloproliferative neoplasm in a case control study. Exp Hematol Oncol. BioMed Central; 2016 May 26;5(1):14.
6. Duncombe AS, Anderson LA, James G, de Vocht F, Fritschi L, Mesa R, Clarke M, McMullin MF. Modifiable Lifestyle and Medical Risk Factors Associated With Myeloproliferative Neoplasms. Hemasphere. 2020 Jan 3;4(1):e327.