Dr M Lomax, Assoc Prof Zoe Saynor, Prof J Shute
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Project reference: SPES3581017
Funding Status: FULL-TIME Fees only bursary
Exercise training and breathing exercises are recommended adjuncts to the pharmacological management of asthma. A characteristic of asthma is airway inflammation and over time this results in airway remodeling. In murine studies, aerobic exercise has been shown to reduce airway inflammation and remodeling, while several human studies have shown that aerobic exercise and/or targeted breathing muscle training can improve well-being in asthmatic individuals. For example, reliever drug medication usage is reduced, the number of asthma symptom free days, cardiopulmonary fitness, and lung function are all improved. However, chronic aerobic exercise can negatively impact the human airway causing remodeling and atopy, and it is not known whether specific breathing muscle training could have a similar negative effect.
This project presents an exciting opportunity to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. The purpose of the research is to identify and develop training regimes that promote both airway health and overall health in those suffering from airway dysfunction. To do this the research will examine the impact of exercise and breathing muscle training on cardiopulmonary fitness, lung function, asthma symptomology and control, and biomarkers indicative of airway health and inflammatory status.
The research environment will be the world leading extreme environments laboratories at the University of Portsmouth (http://www.port.ac.uk/department-of-sport-and-exercise-science/) and the research will be conducted in collaboration with the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences (http://www.port.ac.uk/school-of-pharmacy-and-biomedical-sciences/). The student will work in a team with his/her supervisors and will be fully immersed in running trials and undertaking the analyses
Candidate specification:
•We are looking for a determined, motivated individual with a strong interest in clinical exercise physiology and who enjoys working in laboratory and clinical settings. Additionally, you must be able to work as part of a team but must be equally comfortable working independently.
•Experience of conducting physiological research in either a clinical or sports performance setting is required.
•A taught Masters degree in a relevant discipline (in exceptional cases a First Class Honours Degree) in a sport, exercise or health-related science subject. This must involve a dissertation of standard length written in English in the relevant subject area with a minimum of a merit profile: 60% overall module average and a minimum of a 60% dissertation mark.
Interview date 14th July, 2017. Successful candidate will be due to start in October 2017.
Funding Notes
Despite the funding for the studentship being limited to the full-time fees for the first 3 years, we will ensure that all project costs are covered. Whilst not guaranteed, we will endeavour to provide part-time hourly paid teaching and research assistant opportunities, as and when they are available, to supplement any other income. The successful candidate will receive full access to the Graduate School Development Programme, research training, and internal qualifications that enable applications for Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. All department-wide development activities will be made available to the successful candidate and where appropriate, supporting budgetary requirements.
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