Ciência sem Fronteiras (Science Without Borders)
DCU PhD Project Template:
**Please use one form per project**
Please complete & submit to your Head of School by Monday 16th July
PI name & contact details:
Dr. Caitríona Lally
School:
School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Research Centre / group affiliation:
Centre for Medical Engineering Research (MedEng)
Research group / centre website:
PI website / link to CV:
https://www.dcu.ie/info/staff_member.php?id_no=1040
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
Cardiovascular biomechanics, vascular tissue engineering, numerical modelling and
mechanobiology.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Title: Small Angle Light Scattering for investigating collagen fibre arrangement in arterial tissues
The lab carries out extensive arterial tissue testing, vascular tissue engineering and numerical
modelling. Finite element models are used to investigate loads and vascular remodelling induced
by intravascular medical devices to optimise medical device designs. Mechanobiological models
are used to determine tissue level changes following known cell responses to mechanical stimuli.
Unique selling points of PhD project in DCU:
DCU projects should offer something that’s not available in Brazil – specific equipment, multi-disciplinarity,
aspects of structured programme, links with industry, placements, links with other research groups etc.
The project will involve set-up and use of a small angle light scattering system for viewing collagen fibre
arrangement in arterial tissues under loading. Collagen remodelling and load induced collagen damage will be
quantified to further elucidate the process of vascular remodelling in response to disease and medical devices.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above: N/A
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Engineering and other technical areas
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
X
Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)
Health and Biomedical Sciences
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technology of prevention and remediation of natural disasters
Biodiversity and Bioprospection
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
Please complete