About the Project
Fungal diseases remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with underlying lung disease or immunosuppression. The inhalation and deposition of Aspergillus conidia (spores), particularly from A. fumigatus and A. flavus, is the first step in airway colonisation and disease [1]. However, conidial fate is heavily influenced by particle dynamics, host airway geometry, and underlying pathology. This PhD project aims to develop a biophysical computational model of conidial deposition in human lungs, incorporating fungal biophysical properties and host-specific airway changes to better predict disease risk.
This project will build on existing mathematical models including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models of the upper airway (the air passages connecting the mouth and nose to the lungs) [2] and patient-specific network models of lower airways (the air passages within the lungs) [R1]. These will be developed in conjunction with cutting-edge techniques in aerosol science and microfluidics to study the aerodynamic properties of fungal spores and their dynamics in the lung microenvironment (using novel “lung-on-a-chip” devices).
The goals of the PhD will be to investigate:
Whether the physical properties of fungal spores provide a plausible explanation for the observed differences in how infections by different pathogens develop in patients
How features of obstructive lung disease (such as cystic fibrosis, asthma, and COPD) alter predicted spore deposition in the lungs and its implications for infection risk
Therefore, this project is an exciting opportunity for the successful student to develop expertise in both theoretical and experimental approaches and apply these directly to open questions in infectious disease research.
This project will be to most suited to students a strong academic record in a physical sciences discipline with a significant quantitative component (e.g. mathematics, physics, engineering etc.). Previous lab experience is desirable but not essential.
[1] van Rhijn N. et al. Climate change-driven geographical shifts in Aspergillus species habitat and the implications for plant and human health, 02 May 2025, PREPRINT (Version 1)
[2] Williams, J. et al. Effect of patient inhalation profile and airway structure on drug deposition in image-based models with particle-particle interactions. International Journal of Pharmaceutics 612, 121321 (2022).
Entry Requirements
Applicants should hold (or be about to obtain) a First or Upper Second class (2:1) UK honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject.
Application Guidance
Candidates must contact the primary supervisor (carl.whitfield@manchester.ac.uk) before applying to discuss their interest in the project and assess their suitability.
Apply directly via this link:
MRC DTP PhD Programme
or on the online application portal, select MRC DTP PhD Programme as the programme of study.
You may apply for up to two projects within this scheme. To do so, submit a single online application listing both project titles and the names of both main supervisors in the relevant sections.
Please ensure that your application includes all required supporting documents:
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Supporting Statement
Academic Certificates and Transcripts
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Further details are available on our website:
MRC Doctoral Training Partnership | Biology, Medicine and Health | University of Manchester
Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to the University’s activities. The full statement can be found here: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/getting-started/equality-diversity-inclusion/
Funding Notes
The MRC DTP studentships provide full funding for tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI rate for four years starting in September 2026. Candidates will need to cover relocation and associated costs (e.g. visa, health surcharges).
References
[R1] Shemilt J.D., Horsley A., Wild J.M., Jensen O.E., Thompson A.B. and Whitfield C.A. Non-local impact of distal airway constrictions on patterns of inhaled particle deposition. R. Soc. Open Sci.11241108 (2024)
[R2] Whitfield C.A., Horsley A., Jensen O. E., Horn F.C., Collier G.J., Smith L.J., Wild J.M. Model-based Bayesian inference of the ventilation distribution in patients with cystic fibrosis from multiple breath washout, with comparison to ventilation MRI. Respir. Physiol. Neurobiol. 302:103919 (2022)
[R3] Jones JT, Morelli KA, Vesely EM, Puerner CT, Pavuluri CK, Ross BS, van Rhijn N, Bromley MJ, Cramer RA. The cystic fibrosis treatment Trikafta affects the growth, viability, and cell wall of Aspergillus fumigatus biofilms. MBio. 2023 Oct 31;14(5):e01516-23.
[R4] Rhodes J, Abdolrasouli A, Dunne K, Sewell TR, Zhang Y, Ballard E, Brackin AP, van Rhijn N, Chown H, Tsitsopoulou A, Posso RB. Population genomics confirms acquisition of drug-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus infection by humans from the environment. Nature microbiology. 2022 May;7(5):663-74.
[R5] Crawford I, Bower K, Topping D, Di Piazza S, Massabò D, Vernocchi V, Gallagher M. Towards a UK Airborne Bioaerosol Climatology: Real-Time Monitoring Strategies for High Time Resolution Bioaerosol Classification and Quantification. Atmosphere. 2023; 14(8):1214. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14081214