Dr J O'Sullivan
No more applications being accepted
Self-Funded PhD Students Only
About the Project
The cumulative role of genetic variants on parameters of obesity phenotypes (e.g. BMI, adiposity, lipid profile and growth) has not been fully explored, particularly across different stages of the life course (childhood to adulthood).
What we are looking for in a successful applicant
Project aim:
This PhD will dissect the role of genetic variation in shaping growth and anthropometry.
Description:
We are generating a unique multigenerational set of genotypic data from over 1500 parents and their children as part of the Growing Up in Australia study with which to dissect the genetic architecture of obesity-related phenotypes in both generations. This will be done using a four-dimensional network analysis approach (developed at the Liggins Institute, University of Auckland) to the unique biospecimens and paired cross-generational phenotypic data of Growing Up in Australia’s Child Health CheckPoint study. This network approach will maximise the utility of genomic data to predict risk and effective targeting of interventions to reduce obesity-related disease in children and adults, thereby providing opportunities to shape our social, health, and therapeutic strategies.
The PhD candidate will be contributing to the data derivation and management of the relevant CheckPoint and LSAC datasets, in collaboration with the study team, and conducting quantitative analyses of the study data to address the study objectives.
Funding notes:
This project is available to students able to attract funding stipends, e.g. via university or international scholarships. If you have a GPA of 8.0 or more and you completed your most recent qualifying programme at a New Zealand university, you’ll be supported throughout your PhD study by a University of Auckland Doctoral Scholarship, which gives you a NZ$27,300 tax-free stipend (plus tuition fees) every year for three years. If your GPA is less than 8.0, there may still be scholarships available - you can discuss this with your potential supervisor or the academic director.
There are no international fees for PhD students: as long as you live in New Zealand during your period of enrolment you will pay the same as New Zealanders.
**Please include undergraduate and any postgraduate transcripts with your application.**
References
This project can be undertaken by a student based at the Liggins Institute (University of Auckland, New Zealand) or the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (University of Melbourne, Australia).