Assoc Prof K Rutherfurd-Markwick, Dr Ajmol Ali, Assoc Prof R Page
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)
About the Project
Worldwide, 380 million people suffer with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); a disease considered an economic burden in the western world and developing countries. Prediabetes is recognised as the key period during which interventions may lead to a slowing or a prevention of development of T2DM. Without intervention 70% of people with prediabetes develop full T2DM during their lifetime. Current guidelines suggest more emphasis should be placed on prevention of diabetes rather than treatment and management, thus simple interventions such as diet and exercise during prediabetes are of high value. Beetroot juice (BR) is high in dietary nitrate and phytochemicals (e.g. betalains, polyphenols). Nitric oxide (NO), which can be derived from dietary nitrate, is a potent vasodilator and plays a pivotal role in controlling vascular tone and blood pressure. NO also mediates glucose uptake from the intestines and skeletal muscle and could play an important role in regulation of blood glucose. Phytochemicals are also proposed to modify postprandial glycaemia; hence BR provides a dietary intervention that could have a significant impact on glycaemic control in prediabetics. In trials where participants consumed >990 mg nitrate from BR, significant improvements in insulin sensitivity were observed, whilst those consuming <600 mg nitrate showed no change. Further research, including dose-response studies are needed to investigate the potential of BR as a dietary intervention tool.
Overall Aim: Determine if consumption of beetroot juice can reduce the progression of prediabetes to T2DM.
Potential research areas
Exercise science, supplementation, physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, metabolic health (hypertension, diabetes)
Supervisory Research Team
Assoc Prof Kay Rutherfurd-Markwick (School of Health Sciences, Auckland)
Assoc Prof Rachel Page (School of Health Sciences, Wellington)
Assoc Prof Ajmol Ali (School of Sport, Exercise and Nutrition, Auckland)
Funding Notes
The scholarship is valued at NZ$25,000 (tax free) per year. Tuition fees are not included in the scholarship. The scholarship will be tenable for one year in the first instance, but subject to satisfactory progress will be renewed for a second and a third year.
Applicants should hold a degree relevant to one of the above listed research areas and/or have related professional experience. All applicants must have either an exceptional academic track record, and/or a proven track record of research productivity.
Scholarship applicants will be required to enroll in a full-time Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree through Massey University.
References
Apply by submitting a written letter of interest which includes your previous research interests and experience and email Kay Rutherfurd-Markwick, including curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, and the names and contact details of at least two referees.
Potential candidates will be interviewed in January 2018.
The PhD programme will commence in March 2018 although a later start is possible.
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