Dr T Pfau, Dr J Usherwood, Dr Elin Hernlund, Assoc Prof Marie Rhodin
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Quantification of equine lameness has progressed rapidly into the clinical lameness examination. However, a general mechanism for the underlying locomotor principles allowing a unified approach to the different exercises typically performed in a lameness examination is missing. Upper body movement is related to the force distribution between contralateral limbs and withers movement can distinguish between forelimb and hind limb related issues. However, it is essential to investigate the underlying locomotor principles to evaluate the potential of exercises such as lungeing and surfaces with different mechanical properties for discrimination between different locomotor impairments and to predict the discriminatory potential of novel exercises going beyond the ‘state-of-the-art’.
In this project, the PhD student will access a multitude of data sets available through SLU Uppsala and the RVC covering clinical gait analysis data as well as data from previous experimental studies. These cover a wide range of experimental conditions for example data collected from horses with induced lameness, horses assessed before/after NSAID treatment and horses fitted with orthotic lifts. Data bases contain data collected with optical motion capture, inertial measurement units and force platforms and provide a unique platform for in depth investigations of important aspects such as the potential of processing methods, anatomical landmarks, surfaces and straight versus circular movement. Investigations will be based on ‘traditional’ statistical testing compared to expert opinions (clinical records) independently establishing sensitivity and specificity of specific exercises for detecting lameness and/or deterioration/improvement of lameness as well as machine learning approaches aiming at correctly classifying locomotor patterns with emphasis on dealing with incomplete data sets, i.e. dealing with the real world constraint of not all exercise conditions being available in each case.
This project will provide the student with exciting learning opportunities in the fields of quadrupedal locomotor biomechanics utilizing a variety of data collection and processing methods as well as advanced statistical testing and implementation of machine learning techniques.
Requirements:
Student does not need to have veterinary degree. Experience with equine biomechanics, in particular measurement of movement with cameras or sensors is desirable.
No work with laboratory animals. PhD is based on clinical data from camera and sensor based gait analysis systems and contribution to collection of prospective clinical data in ongoing cases at RVC and SLU Uppsala.
Funding Notes
This is a 3 year fully-funded studentship open to Home/EU applicants. International students are welcome to apply but must be able to fund the difference between UK/EU and international tuition fees. The studentship will commence in October 2019 but could be earlier if a suitable candidate is available.
If you are interested in applying for this position, please follow the link below. Please use your personal statement to demonstrate any previous skills or experience you have in using both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
References
1. Bell, R.P., Reed, S.K., Schoonover, M.J., Whitfield, C.T., Yonezawa, Y., Maki, H., Pai, P.F. and Keegan, K.G. (2016) Associations of force plate and body-mounted inertial sensor measurements for identification of hind limb lameness in horses. Am. J. Vet. Res. 77, 337–345.
2. Vertz, J., Deblanc, D., Rhodin, M. and Pfau, T. (2018) Effect of a unilateral hind limb orthotic lift on upper body movement symmetry in the trotting horse. 1–14.
3. Rhodin, M., Persson-Sjodin, E., Egenvall, A., Serra Braganca, F., Pfau, T., Roepstorff, L., Weishaupt, M., Thomsen, M.H., Weeren, P.R. van, Hernlund, Elin, Egenvall, A. and Braganca, F.M.S. (2018) Vertical movement symmetry of the withers in horses with induced forelimb and hindlimb lameness at trot.
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