Dr N Nowlan
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
The movement of a baby in the womb is critical for normal development of their bones and joints. However, very little is understood about what stresses and strains are induced in the developing skeleton by fetal movements. In recent work from our group, we designed the first ever computational models of fetal kicks and calculated how the biomechanical stimuli in the hip joint are influenced by a range of fetal positions and intra-uterine conditions (see group webpage nowlangroup.org for further information). This PhD project will lead to the first ever computer models of fetal arm movements and thereby determine the biomechanical stimuli resulting from a range of fetal movements over gestation.
Human anatomical data for a range of prenatal ages has already been obtained from our clinical collaborator. The first step of the project will be to segment the arm anatomy for different ages. Next, fetal arm movements will be identified and tracked from cine-MRI scans (also from clinical collaborators), and the reaction forces for each movement calculated using finite element analysis. Musculoskeletal modelling will be used to calculate the likely activation pattern of muscles. Finally, finite element analysis will be used to calculate the biomechanical stimuli acting in the different regions of the arm. Full training on all techniques will be provided.
The PhD student will benefit from a broad and interdisciplinary research training, learning a range of skills and techniques (e.g., automated image processing, image registration, musculoskeletal modelling, finite element analysis) and interacting regularly with clinical collaborators. The student will join a vibrant and interdisciplinary group working on a variety of topics relating to the role of mechanical forces in skeletal development. Please see the group webpage for more details on the current research (nowlangroup.org).
To express your interest in this PhD project, please send a single PDF document including a one-page cover letter discussing research interest and experiences, and a two-page CV, to Dr Niamh Nowlan ([Email Address Removed]).
Funding Notes
Applications for competitive PhD funding* for UK/EU candidates in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London are invited. The funding would be for 3 years, starting October 2018. Overseas students will be considered if alternative funding can cover the additional international student fees. Eligible candidates should have a bachelor degree (2.1 or first class) or a master degree (merit or distinction) in bioengineering, mechanical engineering, or another closely related field.
*The standard PhD studentship covers home/EU tuition fees and provides a bursary (this was £16,533p.a. for 2017-18, including London weighting). **Motivated overseas students (non-UK/EU) can discuss alternative funding **
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