PhD Study : Diet, public health and cognitive development in Seychelles

Summary

The Seychelles Child Development Study (SDCS) is an ongoing observational study (circa 30 years) of over 2500 mother-child pairs, and is investigating the effects of prenatal MeHg exposure on child development. Dietary information has been collected at various stages of the lifecycle using diet diaries, food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) and fish use questionnaires. The data generated provide an estimate of semi-quantitative nutrient and food intakes, as well as qualitative data on food consumption patterns.

There is increasing interest in the analysis of dietary patterns and their associations with various health and disease outcomes (2). In the SCDS a plethora of information exists on the health (e.g. cardiovascular disease, asthma, autoimmunity and dental) and cognitive development of the participants. The diet of this developing country is changing with potential health implications.

The aim of this project is to characterise the dietary intake, to investigate changes in diet through dietary pattern analysis and to evaluate associations of diet with health outcomes (3-7). Working closely with the Ministry of Health, Seychelles, this project will work with existing and new dietary, anthropometric, health and cognitive data collected in the cohorts within the Seychelles.

Information derived from this PhD will impact on policies within the Seychelles including healthly eating guidelines. This PhD will:

(1)Investigate changes over 30 years in dietary habits and examine associations  between health and neurodevelopment outcomes. Data are available spanning pregnancy up to 60 years of age.

(2)Collect new dietary data to investigate change in dietary patterns. (3)Examine dietary intake in relation to health outcomes

The PhD researcher appointed to this project will be given every opportunity to maximise on training by participating in relevant workshops, specialist skills sessions, relevant online courses, PhD researcher initiatives and personal development activities organised by the Doctoral College. In addition, the student will be expected and strongly encouraged to prepare and present their research findings when appropriate at national and international conferences. Furthermore, this PhD will afford the successful PhD researcher the opportunity to work with experts in the field from Rochester University.

References

1.Cade JE, et al (2002) Pub Health Nutr 5, 567-87.

2.Jacques PF and Tucker KL (2001) Am J Clin Nutr 73 (1), 1-2

3.Conway MC et al. Dietary Determinants of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) Status in a High Fish-Eating Cohort during Pregnancy. Nutrients. 2018 Jul 20;10(7). pii: E927. doi: 10.3390/nu10070927.

4.Myers GJ, Davidson PW and Strain JJ. Nutrient and methyl mercury exposure from consuming fish. J Nutr 2007; 137: 2805-2808

5.van Wijngaarden E et al. Methyl mercury exposure and neurodevelopmental outcomes in the Seychelles Child Development Study Main cohort at age 22 and 24 years.  Neurotoxicology Teratology, 59, 35-42, 2017 PMID 27989696

6.Strain JJ et al. Prenatal exposure to methyl mercury from fish consumption and polyunsaturated fatty acids: associations with child development at 20 months of age in an observational study in the Republic of Seychelles. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 101(3), 530-537, 2015. PMC: 4340059

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 65%
• Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
• Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications - peer-reviewed
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living