PhD Studentships

The Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences has an excellent track record in PhD supervision and output. Since 2008 over 70 students have successfully graduated from our Bio PhD programme. We are proud of the progression of our students who have moved on to forge successful careers in Academia, Teaching, the NHS, the Pharmaceutical Sector in Sales and Management positions and Public Sector engagement.

In the period 2018-2019 15/33 (45%) PhD students graduating from the School of Health and Life Sciences were from the Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences.

Students on Bio-related PhD programmes are supported through their studies by a range of funding schemes including:

  • Competitively awarded University Funded Studentships (Home, EU and International)
  • Competitively awarded Grant funded schemes (for example, Heart Research UK, British Skin Foundation)
  • Government Funded Scholarships (for example, Saudi Cultural Bureau, Kuwaiti Cultural Bureau)
  • Self-Funding Students

PhD students engage with an active programme across a breadth of areas across the Research Centre for Health that focus on molecular mechanisms underpinning long term conditions including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, identifying therapeutic targets and public health and infections. Students share ideas resources and meet weekly at focussed research group meetings with Director of Studies (DoS) and student led Journal clubs.

For information on PhD student research possibilities please contact Bio-Post graduate Tutor Dr Patricia Martin patricia.martin@gcu.ac.uk. A range of projects are available with examples on (https://www.gcu.ac.uk/hls/research/phdopportunities/)


Research Theme: Cardiovascular Disease

PhD StudentDirector of Studies

Richard Lightbody

Funded Heart Research UK

Prof Ann Graham

Maryam LiaqatDr Yvonne Dempsie


Research Theme: Long Term Conditions: Diabetes and metabolism

PhD StudentDirector of Studies
Khan Md ZahidulDr Steven Patterson 
Jamie TarltonProf Ann Graham
Narges Mehpour-KarmakanDr Steven Patterson


Research Theme: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics

PhD StudentDirector of Studies
Roxanna MunirDr Gillian Hunter
Khaled BastakiProf Ann Graham 
Carmela ErricoDr Patricia Martin
Gabriel TchiveleketeDr Xinhua Shu
Fahad FarhanDr Xinhua Shu 
Mohamed ElsharkasiDr Fiona Kerr
Katie MiariDr Mark Williams

Research Theme: Public Health and Infections

PhD StudentDirector of Studies
Tarteel ShuaibDr Janice Spencer
Thomas Walker Dr Janice Spencer
Alicia WareDr Ryan Kean 
Susan BennetProf Linda Scobie
Photosensitizer accumulated in NPC cells with lysosome probe (Green)

Molecular Mechanisms

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