MRC Precision Medicine DTP: Applying "big data" techniques to clinical trials in heart failure to inform prognosis

Supervisors:
Dr Jim Lewsey
Dr Pardeep Jhund
Dr David Kao

PhD project summary:
In randomised trials, the repeated clinical, symptom-related and quality of life measurements made at study visits at different time points are often not fully modelled which is both an inefficient use of the data collected, and could lead to important prognostic information being overlooked. Over the last decade, there has been growing interest in the joint modelling of longitudinal and survival data that are collected during randomised trials as they have a number of important advantages over traditional methods. In this PhD project, the aim is to identify distinct recovery/improvement trajectories among heart failure trial patients, and determine what baseline patient characteristics are associated with this. Such information would be valuable for clinical decision-making. Further, this research will explore whether treatment influences the trajectories, and, in turn, the association with survival. Such findings identified for population subgroups would have particular importance for trials that produced overall null effects.

As well as involving exciting and important research, this PhD will train the student in key data science skills using software and version control favoured by experts. Further, the student will develop expertise in statistical modelling and in developing web-based apps to improve the translation of results to clinical audiences.
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This MRC programme is joint between the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. You will be registered at the host institution of the primary supervisor detailed in your project selection.

All applications should be made via the University of Edinburgh, irrespective of project location:

http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees/index.php?r=site/view&id=919

Please note, you must apply to one of the projects and you should contact the primary supervisor prior to making your application. Additional information on the application process is available from the links below.

For more information about Precision Medicine visit:

https://www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvls/graduateschool/precisionmedicine/

Main programme page: http://www.ed.ac.uk/usher/precision-medicine