In 2022 the first four PhD projects were awarded under the HTRIC flag. The PhD candidates are introducing themselves here.
Our HTRIC PhD candidates
PhD projects supported by HTRIC funding
In 2022, four PhD projects were supported with funding that was assigned by HTRIC. The subjects fit to the HTRIC scope. One of the criteria was that the subject needs to be supported by at the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) as well as the UMCG. Four very exciting projects were chosen and staffing is taking place.
Lower-limb prostheses: optimal human-in-the-loop co-adaptation
PhD Candidate: Chengxiang Liu
After finishing my Master’s degree in Mechatronic engineering, I worked in institues developing medical robotics for more than two years. I started my HTRIC PhD project in March 2023. This project aims at developing a human-in-the-loop approach in which the user and the (control settings and mechanical parameters of the) prosthesis co-adapt to each other in an optimization process. The research I do for this project can contribute to the life quality improvement of amputee patients.
This project is applied for by Prof. Dr. Raffaella Carloni (FSE) and Prof. Dr. Han Houdijk (UMCG).
Project start: March 2023
Early detection of sepsis using reactive oxygen species
PhD Candidate Britt Coenen:
After finishing my bachelor degree in Life Science I started my master degree in Medical Biology to learn more about key mechanisms in biology and disease. During my PhD on the early detection of sepsis I will apply the knowledge I gained to limit effects from preventable causes, aiming to improve diagnosis and healthcare for patients.
Interested in more of Britt her research? Check out her blog here.
This project is applied for by Prof. Dr. Romana Schirhagl (UMCG), Prof. Dr. Geert van den Boogaart (FSE) and Dr. Hjalmar Bouma (UMCG).
Project start: September 2022
Take a breath: Development of a novel lung adhesive sealant for severe COPD patients
PhD candidate Ayla Kwant:
After finishing my master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, I started my HTRIC PhD project in September 2022. The main focus of my research is developing and testing a ‘glue’, which is intended to seal the damaged parts of the lungs of COPD patients and thus improve the capacity of the functional parts. With this research, I hope to contribute to an improved quality of life for COPD patients.
Interested in more of Ayla her research? Check out her blog here.
This project is applied for by Prof. Dr. Marleen Kamperman (FSE) and Dr. Simon D. Pouwels (UMCG), together with Prof. Dr. Dirk-Jan Slebos and Prof. Dr. Janette Burgess.
Project start: September 2022
4D Local drug distribution determination using advanced optical (light sheet) microscopy
PhD candidate Nawal Aledlbi:
After doing my bachelor’s in applied chemistry, I went for a master’s degree in analytical chemistry. But to focus more on what lies beneath, I joined the Nanoscience TopMaster program at the University of Groningen to broaden my horizons. In my master’s I worked using characterization techniques for studying chemical systems. During my Ph.D., I look forward to developing a 4D optical analysis to get an insight into targeted drug distribution, that can lead to efficient personalized medicine in IBD patients using light-sheet microscopy.
Interested in more of Nawal her research? Check out her blog here.
This project is applied for by Dr. Pieter van der Zaag (FSE) and Prof. Dr. Wouter Nagengast (UMCG).
Project start: September 2022
Oxygen-releasing adhesives to promote anastomotic healing in esophageal surgery
The vacancy for this position is closed.
This project is applied for by Prof. Dr. Inge S. Zuhorn (UMCG) and Prof. Dr. Ranjita K. Bose (FSE), together with Dr. Jan Willem Haveman (UMCG).
Project start: September 2023
Nanopore Technology in Acute Heart Failure Management
The vacancy for this position is closed.
This project is applied for by Prof. Dr. Giovanni Maglia (FSE) and Dr. Kevin Damman (UMCG).
Project start: September 2023
Development of 18F-labelled FAPI (fibroblast activating protein inhibitor) for Positron Emission Tomography of cancer and inflammation
Project start: September 2023
Unpuzzling cardiac damage by exercise imaging and biomechanical modeling
The vacancy for this position is closed.
This project is applied for by Prof. Dr. Cristobal Bertoglio (FSE) and Dr. Tineke Willems (UMCG).
Project start: September 2023
