PhD Studentship - Respiratory Training in Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating neurological condition that results in loss of sensorimotor functions and movements, including the vital movement of breathing. Current strategies to restore breathing are insufficient and thus, new strategies are required. Therapeutic acute intermittent hypoxia (tAIH) is a novel treatment to improve motor function in individuals living with SCI. Recently, the concept of synergy has emerged with compelling evidence demonstrating enhanced walking function when tAIH is paired with task-specific training, whereby the combined effects exceed the sum of individual effects. However, it is not yet known if similar task-specific synergies are present in the respiratory control system.

This fully-funded 3.5 year studentship commences in September 2024. Training provided at the University of Birmingham will develop knowledge and competency in areas such as: neural control of breathing; assessment of diaphragm neuromuscular function using phrenic nerve stimulation; assessment of autonomic and pulmonary function; blood sampling and biomarker analysis, among others.

The student will have the opportunity to visit laboratories and receive training from collaborators at Thomas Jefferson University (Dr. Nair), and the University of Florida, Breathing Research and Therapeutics (UF-BREATHE) Centre (Professor Mitchell), where ongoing clinical trials are being conducted.

This studentship is suitable for applicants with an upper second or first-class degree in a field of science related to biology, medicine, physiology, neuroscience, exercise, and/or engineering. A Master’s degree is preferable. The student should have interest in integrative physiology, neuromodulation and plasticity. Experience working with spinal cord injury would be an asset. Informal enquiries should be directed to Dr Joseph Welch (j.f.welch@bham.ac.uk).

The project will be supervised by Dr. Joseph Welch, Dr. Tom Nightingale, Dr. George Balanos, Professor Zubair Ahmed, Dr. Jayakrishnan Nair (Thomas Jefferson University) and Professor Gordon Mitchell (University of Florida).

To apply, please email Dr Welch (j.f.welch@bham.ac.uk) with the following:

• CV
• Personal statement (1 page A4) highlighting your research experience, interests and suitability for the studentship
• Copies of your degree certificates with transcripts
• Contact details for two referees.

References:

Vose AK, Welch JF, Nair J, Dale EA, Fox EJ, Muir GD, Trumbower RD & Mitchell GS. (2022). Therapeutic acute intermittent hypoxia: a translational roadmap to treat spinal cord injury and neuromuscular disease. Experimental Neurology, 347, 113891. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2021.113891.

Welch JF, Nair J, Argento PJ, Mitchell GS & Fox EJ. (2022). Acute intermittent hypercapnic-hypoxia elicits central neural respiratory motor plasticity in humans. The Journal of Physiology, 600(10), 2515-2533. doi: 10.1113/JP282822

Welch JF, Sutor TW, Vose AK, Perim RR, Fox EJ & Mitchell GS. (2020). Synergy between acute intermittent hypoxia and task-specific training. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 48(3), 125-132. doi: 10.1249/JES.0000000000000222.

Funding

This PhD studentship is supported by the International Spinal Research Trust. The Nathalie Rose Barr studentship is funded for 3.5 years and comprises UK tuition fees, an annual starting stipend of £21,000, and a generous research consumables budget. Oversees applicants (included EU) may apply but are required to fund the difference between home and oversees tuition fees.

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