MAHSE

A fully funded PhD studentship is available at Manchester Metropolitan University (Faculty of Science and Engineering) in collaboration with University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust.

Project Overview

This research explores how obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) influences Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers in blood plasma, and whether treatment of OSA can impact these biomarkers. The successful candidate will:

• Analyse clinical data to assess AD occurrence in OSA patients using programming approaches.

• Measure plasma biomarkers using advanced immunoassay techniques.

Supervisors

Prof Sonia Correa-Muller (Principal Supervisor), Prof Liangxiu Han (Secondary Supervisor) and Dr Asad Ali and Ms Chatha K. Kaur are secondary clinical supervisors from the University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust.

Funding & Eligibility

• Stipend: £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate)

• Fees: Home fees covered; international applicants welcome

• Start: October 2025

We are seeking candidates with strong backgrounds in neuroscience, biochemistry, bioinformatics, or related fields, with experience or interest in biomarker analysis, clinical data, and programming (Python/R).

Application deadline: 2 June 2025

Contact: Prof Sonia Correa-Muller (s.correa-muller@mmu.ac.uk)

🔗 Full project details & application instructions:
To develop methodology to measure Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers in the plasma of obstructive sleep apnoea patients. at Manchester Metropolitan University on FindAPhD.com

We are delighted to announce that Phil Macdonald has been recognised in the Individual category at the 2024 PPIE Awards for his exceptional contributions to Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE).

With over a decade of dedication to involving public contributors in his work, Phil has established himself as a leader in integrating public perspectives into the training of healthcare scientists. His approach goes beyond simple engagement; he ensures that public contributors are empowered with the freedom, support, and encouragement needed to make their involvement meaningful and impactful.

Phil’s unwavering commitment to inclusivity has not only enriched teaching practices but also created an environment where public members feel truly valued and integral to the educational process.

Congratulations to Phil Macdonald for this well-deserved recognition! The annual PPIE Celebration Event continues to be a platform for showcasing exceptional initiatives like Phil’s. In 2024, themed “Back to the Future,” the event spotlighted how historical learnings and future aspirations shape impactful engagement in healthcare and science. It brought together faculty, students, and public contributors to recognise the powerful outcomes of collaborative efforts in research and policy development.

The University of Manchester is celebrating a double achievement after receiving two Times Higher Education (THE) awards in recognition of its exceptional support for students and ground-breaking STEM research.

At the award ceremony held on 28 November in Birmingham, the University and its Students’ Union were honoured for their outstanding efforts to support students during the 2022/23 cost of living crisis.

In response to the economic pressures students faced, the University provided a robust support package totalling over £10 million. This included one-off payments of more than £9 million in November 2022, with 90% of students benefiting. Targeted additional support was also rolled out in February 2023, at a time when many other institutions could not afford similar initiatives.

The University’s efforts went beyond financial assistance. Students had access to a variety of support services, including cosy campus spaces and free breakfasts on Wednesdays, alongside holistic well-being initiatives. Kelly-Ann Mallon, Head of Access, Student Employability, Success, and Development, who attended the awards, said: “This recognition is a testament to the incredible teamwork and collaboration across the University that allowed us to respond swiftly and effectively to the cost of living crisis.”

The University’s donors played a pivotal role in making these efforts possible. Initiatives like the Cost of Living Support Fund have provided vital financial assistance to students in need. Additionally, programs such as the Manchester Access Programme and the Undergraduate Access Scholarship are opening doors for more students to access life-changing opportunities.

The impact of these efforts has resonated far beyond the University, influencing national policy and shaping discussions in Westminster. The University continues to advocate for greater financial support for students across the UK, ensuring that all students can reach their full potential.

The University also took home the prestigious award for Research Project of the Year: STEM for its pioneering work on a bedside genetic test to prevent deafness in babies. Developed by researchers at Manchester, this test can identify babies at risk of permanent hearing loss from gentamicin, an antibiotic commonly used in intensive care. The rapid test has been trialled on 751 babies in neonatal units in Manchester and Liverpool, and the NHS is now exploring ways to integrate it into routine clinical care. This innovation has the potential to save the hearing of 180 babies in the UK each year.

Both awards reflect the University’s commitment to making a real-world difference, whether supporting students through times of financial difficulty or pushing the boundaries of medical research to improve lives.

On 13th June 2024, MAHSE held their annual STP Research Day. The STP Research Day gives trainees an opportunity to showcase their research projects to all the cohorts and staff. Invitations were open to third year trainees to give either an oral or poster presentation, invitations were also extended to second year trainees for the poster presentation later.

This year’s event took place in Lecture Theatre B, Engineering Building A. This is the newest building on the UoM campus, which provided ample space for the event. We had attendance from trainees, staff, training officers and members of the National School for Healthcare Science (NSHCS).

The event was hosted by Dr Phil Macdonald, MAHSE Deputy- Director for STP. Presentations throughout the day were interspersed with oral and poster presentations. Posters were up on display near the main entrance area and  were presented during refreshments and lunch breaks. Lunch was served in a nice buffet style, with suitable accommodations for a diverse range of dietary requirements. Some quiet rooms were available all day for attendees during the event.

The last round of trainee talks concluded after lunch. The final coffee and networking break was followed by our key note speaker, Allan Pacey, MBE PhD FRCOG, Deputy Vice-President & Deputy Dean, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester. Allan gave a very interesting talk to delegates about utilising social media in research.

We had the pleasure of having some of our academics and our lead lay representatives, getting involved in judging oral and poster presentations. Afterwards, Phil and Professor Carol Ainley, MAHSE Director, announced prize winners. MAHSE would like to thank everyone for taking part in one of our proudest days. There was a short talk from Carol, recognising all the hard work that our STP trainees put in for the duration of their course.

We are very much looking forward to Research Day 2025!

On 15th June 2023, MAHSE held their annual STP Research Day. The STP Research Day gives trainees an opportunity to showcase their research projects to their cohort and staff. Invitations were open to third year trainees to give either an oral or poster presentation invitations were also extended to second year trainees for the latter.

Etc venues hosted the event this year and whilst we experienced one of the hottest weeks of the year, the air conditioning was something to be grateful for on that particular day! We had attendance from trainees, staff, training officers and members of the National School for Healthcare Science (NSHCS).

Hosted by Dr Phil Macdonald, MAHSE Deputy- Director for STP, the day kicked off with our first two trainee presentations followed by our key note speaker, Professor Joyce Harper, author, academic, scientist, educator and podcaster. Her field is Reproductive Science based at University College London. 

Posters were up on display in one of the syndicate rooms and were presented during refreshment breaks. The last round of trainee talks concluded after lunch. Lunch saw us enjoy a lovely continental bento box meal.

We had the pleasure of having some of our academic colleagues and our lead lay representatives, getting involved in judging oral and poster presentations. Afterwards, Phil and Professor Carol Ainley, MAHSE Director, announced prize winners. MAHSE would like to thank everyone for taking part in one of our proudest days. There was a short talk from Carol, recognising all the hard work that our STP trainees put in for the duration of their course.

We are very much looking forward to Research Day 2024!

A new ebook has been published on Open Access about Collaboration in Higher Education. We are thrilled to see a case study within the book about MAHSE, published by MAHSE director, Professor Carol Ainley.

The ebook is available to all and can be accessed here

Two of our MAHSE Lay Representatives, Maggie Stubbs and Manoj Mistry, have won an award at our Annual PPIE (Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement) award celebration for the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health 2023. Both winners were recognised for their Exceptional Service. Maggie and Manoj have both worked with the MAHSE programmes since 2014. As founding MAHSE Lay Representatives, the also worked with their fellow lay reps to develop the MAHSE Patient Forum from an admin/academic led Forum to a Public Contributor led Forum.

Manoj was elected as one of two lead lay representatives in 2015 and he helped us write the draft for the MAHSE Guiding Principles ahead of it being circulated to the Forum.  Manoj has continued to embrace his role, representing the Forum at wider meetings and ensuring that we are listening to the Patient/Public voice.

Maggie was the Public Contributor lead on a project that the University of Manchester undertook with Newcastle University in 2014-15. The report created from the project is still used by the National School of Healthcare Science to aid Universities in ensuring that PPIE is a key part of the programmes (link including in supporting evidence).

In 2016 the Patient Forum looked at succession planning. At this point the Lay Representatives had a discussion around term length and how we ensured that the work that was done on the programmes continued to grow and develop. It was decided that terms should be 3 years in length with an option at the end of the initial term to stay on for a further 3 years. Due to COVID Maggie and Manoj both kindly continued to contribute to their programmes and MAHSE their second term, and we’re very sad to see their terms come to an end in July 2023.

Thank you both for all of your commitment to MAHSE, and congratulations on your awards!

Zara Musker, a talented women’s futsal player and trainee in the Scientist Training Programme (STP) at the University of Manchester, has emerged triumphant as the recipient of the esteemed Deaf Sports Personality of the Year award.  Zara’s remarkable achievements and dedication to her sport have earned her this prestigious recognition within the deaf sports community.  As a member of the England team, Zara played a vital role in their historic victory at the European Deaf Futsal Championships, where they secured their first-ever title.  Zara’s exceptional skills and prowess on the field led her to become the tournament’s top scorer, netting an impressive 10 goals.

The Deaf Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony took place on 1^st July at Twickenham Stadium in London, where Zara’s exceptional achievements were recognised and celebrated.  As Zara continues to shine both in her sporting career and academic pursuits in her second year as an STP trainee in Audiology at the University of Manchester, she exemplifies the values of perseverance, determination, and resilience, making the university proud to have her as part of their academic community.

Please click on the link below to access the programme for the day.

Programme