Projects on offer
We are always interested in talking to talented, motivated emerging scientists who are interested in joining our team. There are opportunities for undergraduate summer scholarships, Honours, Masters, PhD, and Postdoctoral Fellows, and we can support applications for competitive scholarships and fellowships such as from the University of Auckland, Auckland Medical Research Foundation, and Heart Foundation of New Zealand. Please see below examples of available projects, or get in touch to discuss your own project ideas.
PHD OR SUB-DOCTORAL SUPERVISION OPPORTUNITY
Reversing heart failure with natures pacemaker
In this project, you will investigate how a new cardiac pacemaker improves the function of the failing heart. We have discovered that re-instating the respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) in the failing heart incredibly improves cardiac output by 20% which is almost double the response of current medical therapy. RSA is a natural variation in the heart rhythm whereupon breathing in the heartbeat speeds up and on breathing out the heartbeat slows down. The RSA is highly conserved within the animal kingdom and is especially evident in very fit individuals such as athletes. Unfortunately, this natural phenomenon is lost in cardiac disease. Our recent unpublished data indicates RSA improves the energetics of the failing heart. In this research, you will use high-resolution microscopy to determine if RSA pacing improves the structure of the mitochondria the sub-cellular organelle that powers life.
j.paton@auckland.ac.nz
PHD OR SUB-DOCTORAL SUPERVISION OPPORTUNITY
A Novel Intracranial Baroreceptor
Over 50% of patients on anti-hypertensive therapy remain hypertensive. Even those patients that are treated and controlled remain at risk of a severe event such as stroke or a heart attack. Evidence suggests that sympathetic activity and its stress-induced surges are resistant to current frontline medication. Our team have identified a novel intracranial baroreceptor (ICB) that elevates blood pressure through activation of the sympathetic nervous system. It responds to reduced cerebral blood flow that can occur during physiological increases in intracranial pressure (ICP) or narrowing of cerebral arteries (congenital or atheroma). Using a preclinical model of hypertension, we aim to determine the chronic long-term role of the ICBs in regulating arterial pressure and sympathetic activity and how they interact with the arterial baroreceptors. We will test if they are sensitized in hypertension and contribute to raised blood pressure. We can offer a Health Research Council of New Zealand-funded scholarship ($35 annual stipend for three years), and the chance to work with a friendly, motivated and diverse team of researchers in the Manaaki Manawa Centre for Heart Research here at the University of Auckland.
j.paton@auckland.ac.nz
PHD OR SUB-DOCTORAL SUPERVISION OPPORTUNITY
Rodent model of diabetes and hypertension
Our laboratory is interested in the role of carotid body (CB) in the cardiometabolic disorder. We have recently discovered novel targets within the CB which plays major role in diabetes cardiovascular disease. We have an exciting project which includes rodent model of diabetes and hypertension. We are looking for bright and enthusiastic students with a background and interest in cardiometabolic physiology. The onboard student will perform the experiments covering the induction of diabetes, glucose tolerance test, and analysis of blood component and histology covering multiple techniques along with world class telemetry system for in vivo signals (Blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose, renal sympathetic nerve activity, artery blood flow etc) recording and photoacoustic imaging of vital organs.
p.thakkar@auckland.ac.nz