PhD Research Studentships
Predicting Bone Healing and Risk in Multiple Myeloma Patients via Spinal Biomechanics
| Supervisors: | Stefaan VERBRUGGEN and Julia SHELTON |
| Apply by: | 29 January 2025 |
| Start in: | September (Semester 1) |
Description
Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common blood cancer and is typically diagnosed through spinal pain and scans showing degenerated bone tissue in the vertebrae. Indeed, 70% of MM patients have a fractured spine with up to 25% leading to spinal cord compression and/or spinal deformity. The spinal cord compression results from mechanical instability and vertebral collapse, and can cause life-changing impairment and loss of function.
Recent advances in chemotherapy have been hugely successful, with MM patient survival improving significantly in recent years. However, bone pain and pathological fractures in the spine necessitate surgical interventions, which are not always successful and indeed may lead to further complications which can severely impact patients.
It has recently been observed that external bracing, rather than surgical intervention may allow bone tissue and spine stability to recover, with healthy new bone tissue appearing following bracing. This presents the opportunity to safely treat MM patients without surgery, significantly enhancing patient outcomes whilst also reducing healthcare costs. However, the biomechanics underlying supporting this approach remain uncertain, and recovery for individual patients is difficult to predict.
The aim of this project is to develop patient-specific computational models of MM spinal biomechanics, building upon the lab's recently developed mechanobiological model of adaptive bone healing, and allowing the development of prognostic models to predict patient outcome.
The project will take place in the School of Engineering Material Science, a world-leading centre of excellence in human biomechanics. Alongside the research a full training package has been planned that involves the successful applicant interacting with clinicians at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, and experts at the INSIGNEO Institute for in silico Medicine at the University of Sheffield.
The successful candidate will be expected to publish their work in journals and key conferences (e.g. World Congress of Biomechanics 2026 in Vancouver, Canada).
Funding
Funded by: China Scholarship CouncilCandidate will need to secure a CSC scholarship.
Under the scheme, Queen Mary will provide scholarships to cover all tuition fees, whilst the CSC will provide living expenses and one return flight ticket to successful applicants.
Eligibility
- The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.
- If English is not your first language, you will require a valid English certificate equivalent to IELTS 6.5+ overall with a minimum score of minimum score of 6.0 in each of Writing, Listening, Reading and Speaking).
- Candidates are expected to start in September (Semester 1).
Contact
For informal enquiries about this opportunity, please contact Stefaan VERBRUGGEN or Julia SHELTON.
Apply
Start an application for this studentship and for entry onto the PhD Medical Engineering full-time programme (Semester 1 / September start):
Please be sure to quote the reference "SEMS-PHD-652" to associate your application with this studentship opportunity.
| Related website: | https://stefaanverbruggen.com/ | |
| SEMS Research Centre: | ||
| Keywords: | Cancer Biology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanics, Solid Mechanics, Biomechanics, Medicine - Other, Pathology, Tissue Engineering |