About the Project
Cardiovascular Health; maximising the key physiological and biochemical effects of exercise and other novel interventions in atherosclerosis.
To celebrate the University’s research successes, the University of Hull is offering a full-time UK/EU PhD Scholarship or International Fees Bursary for candidates applying for the following project in the Hull-York Medical School.
Closing date: - 13th March 2017
Studentships will start on 1st October 2017
BackgroundEvery year in the UK, cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills over 160,000 individuals (including 40,000 premature deaths) and accounts for 16.2% of all hospital admissions. Yorkshire and the Humber has one of highest age-standardised CVD death rates in the UK. Atherosclerostic CVD is a major research theme in the HYMS strategic plan.
Exercise regimes provide a clinical and cost effective therapy for both coronary and peripheral vascular disease. However, the physiological and biochemical changes that underpin the beneficial effects of exercise in CVD are unclear. We believe that the identification of these mechanisms may allow us to design new exercise treatment modalities and become a national focal point for exercise related research in patients with atherosclerostic CVD.
This cluster of PhD projects is therefore strategically aligned with the aims of the new Institute for Clinical and Applied Health Research (ICAHR), but will also promote cross faculty collaboration by coalescing specialists with internationally recognised expertise in peripheral vascular disease (Chetter/Smith), cardiology (Hoye), health and exercise (Ingle), and muscle metabolism (Matsakas) into a new research foci.
All students will join a vibrant community of current PhD students/fellows. The current seminar programme encourages interaction between doctoral students, research associates and fellows. HYMS registered students also have access to the research training modules provided by the Universities of both Hull and York.
Project DescriptionThis is a mixed methods (including systemic literature review) PhD project on exercise therapy in patients with angina secondary to specific patterns of coronary atherosclerosis. Coronary heart disease is the number one killer in the UK, and there are currently 2.3 million people living with coronary heart disease. For those with stable angina, symptoms impact on quality of life and consideration is given to revascularisation with either coronary angioplasty or bypass graft surgery. However, due to anatomical complexities, full revascularisation is not always possible. These patients are known to have a worse prognosis than those with complete revascularisation1. We aim to evaluate the role of an exercise therapy in two specific groups of patients: 1) those with incomplete revascularisation and 2) those with single vessel disease with a chronic total coronary occlusion. Outcomes measures would include; treadmill walking distances including time to ECG changes, disease specific and generic quality of life, markers of endothelial and platelet dysfunction and cardio-respiratory fitness. The student would be responsible for obtaining approvals, recruitment, intervention and follow up.
This project is suitable for a student with quantitative skills (e.g. has degree in the health / biomedical sciences – including allied health, sports science etc). The PhD will provide the opportunity for the student to expand quantitative skills and gain experience with standard patient-reported outcome measures and clinical trials.
How to ApplyTo apply for these Scholarships please click on the Apply button below.
Applications should be made through the HYMS web site stating the project title and supervisor’s name.
Full-time UK/EU PhD Scholarships will include fees at the ‘home/EU’ student rate and maintenance (£14,553 in 2017/18) for three years, depending on satisfactory progress.
Full-time International Fee PhD Studentships will include full fees at the International student rate for three years, dependent on satisfactory progress.
PhD students at the University of Hull follow modules for research and transferable skills development and gain a Masters level Certificate, or Diploma, in Research Training, in addition to their research degree.
Successful applicants will be informed of the award as soon as possible and by 8th May 2017 at the latest.