Auckland Bioengineering Institute

University of Auckland

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  Meal optimisation to control glucose levels in people with diabetes

  Dr Finbar Argus  Applications accepted all year round  Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

About the Project

Interested in PhD study at the ABI? Join our webinar this Thursday to find out more and ask any questions you might have.

Interested in a rewarding career in bioengineering? Get sponsored to do life-changing research in New Zealand.

In diabetes, guidance of diet and exercise regime is often based on sub-optimal one size fits all approaches, so, many receive acceptable guidance, but none receive optimal guidance. We can improve guidance using digital twins capturing all relevant dynamics to personalise care. Incorporating wearable device data, this project aims to develop a patient-specific digital twin model of glucose and insulin dynamics that accounts for patient meal intake and exercise. By fitting the model to patient data every time the patient eats a meal we can deduce trends in patient condition vs meal type and timing that can be used to predict forward in time for specific meal plans. The pipeline we develop will be used by the MBIE Soul Machines AI group to determine optimal meal type and timing for the specific patient and a digital health navigator will guide the patient towards following this meal plan.

Desired skills

  • Bachelors’ degree in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science or related discipline
  • Strong programming skills
  • Strong computational modelling skills
  • Experience with machine learning
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Find out more about this project and other projects on our website here.

The Auckland Bioengineering Institute - breaking boundaries in bioengineering for more than 20 years

At the Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI), we apply engineering and technical innovation to advancing medical care, human capability, and understanding of human physiology. Our team of world-renowned researchers are working on everything from artificial intelligence avatars, to implantable devices, to digital models of the human body. Our focus on research excellence and commercialisation adds value to society and to the global economy.

Our research makes a real difference in the world. We’ve designed sensors to diagnose stomach disease without needing invasive surgery; developed a tiny wireless implantable device to measure brain pressure and save the lives of children with hydrocephalus; and we lead the world in building digital models of the human body which will enhance personalised medicine approaches for improved diagnosis and treatment.

Join our team of researchers for a postgraduate degree and together we can make a difference. Our graduates are amongst the most employable in the world - many either continue their career in research, find employment with industry leaders such as Rocket Lab or Fisher & Paykel, or launch their own startup companies.

Our students come from over 50 different countries and a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, including Engineering, Medicine, Mathematics and Science.

Want to know what our students think about studying at the ABI? Watch this video!

Engineering (12) Mathematics (25)

Funding Notes

Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) Soul Machines Grant


Where will I study?

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Auckland Bioengineering Institute

The Auckland Bioengineering Institute (ABI) does world-leading research that enhances the diagnosis and treatment of a range of medical conditions, as well as helping to improve the lives of people with disabilities or injuries. Our research makes a real difference in the world. We’ve designed sensors to diagnose stomach disease without needing invasive surgery;developed a tiny wireless implantable device to measure brain pressure and save the lives of children with hydrocephalus;and we lead the world in building digital models of the human body which will enhance personalised medicine approaches for improved diagnosis and treatment.

Why study at Auckland Bioengineering Institute?

We are a melting pot of a great number of disciplines, with students from over 50 different countries and a wide range of backgrounds.

Our PhD and Masters graduates are amongst the most employable in the world.

Study your research-based PhD or Masters degree alongside our internationally-recognised supervisors.

100

postgraduate students

11

PhDs

#65

ranked in QS World University Rankings 2025

Auckland  New Zealand

main campus

About Auckland Bioengineering Institute

Our vision is to bring together talented people who are supported to be ambitious, and ensure our research positively impacts people in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world. At the ABI, we apply engineering and technical innovation to advancing medical care, human capability, and understanding of human physiology. And we connect with our communities through regular free public events and seminars, and inspire the next generation of researchers through school visits.

There is a māori saying which goes:
He aha te mea nui o te ao? What is the most important thing in the world?
He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata! It is the people, it is the people, it is the people!


We are a melting pot of a great number of disciplines, with academics and postgraduate students from over 50 different countries and a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, which fosters a very creative environment. Our students benefit from financial support such as scholarships and grants only available at the ABI.

Launch your own startup based on your research and get the backing you need to develop and succeed. Our startups include Soul Machines and Alimetry. Expand your learning and networking through international travel, conferences and collaborative projects involving researchers from around the world.





Main campus

University of Auckland

Auckland

Auckland

New Zealand

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