Towards better understanding the properties of pollutants that can cross the blood brain barrier using assays and/or animal studies

The Minderoo Project at QAEHS is a philanthropic funded project dealing with human health and plastic polymers/additives. Within the plastic additive side of the project, there is a research need to better understand the physicochemical properties of chemicals that can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and their subsequent fate. The proposed PhD project aims to complement and better direct other work within the project by generating evidence on which compounds should be prioritised for quantification in post-mortem brain samples, thus expanding our target analyte list beyond the current compound classes (phthalate, phthalate metabolites and bisphenols). The PhD work will involve developing/adapting analytical methods to be used on assays that aim to model the BBB, such as PAMPA-BBB, and analyse biological samples from animal studies where a test cohort would be administered an analyte(s) of interest.

This PhD project is within UQ’s defined strength of environmental science (the top 20 in the world). QAEHS has a particular strength in environmental monitoring, analytical chemistry, and human exposure risk assessment. QAEHS has multiple student support programs such as scholarship top-up and conference-attending support. QAEHS has a newly equipped and well-maintained PC2 laboratory with all the advanced equipment and other resources this project needs. These include 13 state-of-the-art mass spectrometers – five Sciex LC-MS triple quadrupoles (QQQ), two LC-MS QTOFs, a GC-Orbitrap, a HRGC-HRMS and a GC-triple quadrupoles, and an NCI-GC-triple quadrupoles. QAEHS also owns a fully automated sample preparation system (LCTech FreeStyle) and three pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) systems (Thermo) assisting this project's work. A recently built plastic-minimised lab will provide the ideal and rare support for this project to be operated under a clean background.

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history

A working knowledge of human biomonitoring, mass spectrometry, and trace organic analysis would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field/s of environmental science, analytical chemistry and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of plastic-associated chemicals and in-vitro and in-vivo methods is highly desirable.

Before you apply

Before submitting an application you should:

1. check your eligibility for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
2. prepare your documentation
3. contact Dr Xianyu Wang (x.wang18@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability
4. submit your application by 20 May, 2024 20 May, 2024.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for your program. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• ‘My higher degree is not collaborative’
• ‘I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship'
• ‘Other’, then ‘Research Project Scholarship’ and in the ‘Name of scholarship’ field enter POLLUTANTS-WANG.

Apply now