Business Management (Medical Imaging): KESS II Funded PhD: Development of an automated image analysis platform for digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) to increase efficiency in the screening process

*This scholarship is part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence programme for West Wales and the Valleys.*

PhD Scholarship for UK or EU applicants in the field of: Medical imaging and analytics

Start date: April 2018

Brief Summary of project:

The aim of this PhD studentship is to develop and evaluate deep learning algorithms and a software solution to rapidly compare DBT images for a patient from different screening time points. The project will include novel research supporting the development of the analytics system and software product development in a partnership between Topia Systems Ltd, Swansea University and Hywel Dda University Health Board.

Project Objectives:

The major objectives for the studentship are to:

- Develop ‘deep learning’ methods to register DBT images identify features, perform temporal image comparison.
- Carry out a retrospective study to evaluate algorithms on temporal mammograms.
- Carry out a prospective study to determine sensitivity/specificity to detect tissue change and evaluate image reading times on select patient cohort.
- Assist software development (Topia Systems Ltd).

Outputs:

- DBT image analysis algorithms suite
- Clinical software product
- Publishable retrospective and prospective studies of algorithm evaluation
- Acquired image analysis and development skills for PhD student
- The achievement of a postgraduate skills development award, PSDA, is compulsory for each KESS II scholar and is based on a 60 credit award

Eligibility

Candidates should have a 2.1 or above in their undergraduate degree or equivalent typically with computer programming experience. They should also be eligible for UK/EU Fees.