PhD Studentship
School of Cancer and Enabling Sciences
Faculty of Medical & Human Sciences
Mucosal and systemic iron biomarkers and infectious co-morbidity in young women in
Burkina Faso
Dr Loretta Brabin & Dr Steve Roberts
The objective of this fully-funded 4-year PhD project is to investigate the safety and efficacy of iron
supplementation as a health intervention for young females in a developing country.
The studentship provides full support for tuition fees, all associated research costs and an annual tax-free
stipend at Research Council rates (£13, 590 in 2010). The project is due to commence October 2011 and is open
to UK/EU nationals only due to the nature of the funding.
Iron deficiency anaemia affects ~30% of non-pregnant and ~47% of pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa. In
2009 the World Health Organisation recommended weekly supplementation with ferrous sulphate as a
preventive strategy for this condition. Although increasing iron intake, such an approach can potentially enhance
risk of susceptibility to infections. Microbial pathogens utilize iron and have developed mechanisms to capture
host iron which can increase pathogenicity. This project will evaluate the safety of iron supplementation in
relation to cervico-vaginal infections, including bacterial vaginosis (BV) - an important cause of chiorioamninitis
and preterm birth. Lactoferrin (Lf) is a key mucosal iron biomarker in the genital tract is and its role in infection
risk will be evaluated.
The PhD will form a sub-study within a large RCT evaluating safety (increased malaria risk) and efficacy (reduced
anaemia) of weekly and long term iron supplementation of young women in rural Burkina Faso. Due to the large
sample size (n= 1000 non-pregnant and 800 pregnant women), long-term follow-up and comprehensiveness of
iron bio-marker assessment, the RCT will generate a large population-based data set in a defined demographic
surveillance area. The research is potentially of major public health importance as it will assess the impact of an
innovative health intervention on maternal infection and its correlation with iron biomarkers.
The successful candidate will benefit from an extensive support network based in the Academic Unit of
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, St Mary’s Hospital. They will also have the opportunity to undertake a substantial
placement at the IRSS-DRO Clinical Research Unit in Burkina Faso. Training will be provided in the use and
interpretation of diagnostic microbiological tests, epidemiological methods for design and analysis of RCTs and
techniques involved in applying iron biomarker indicators.
Given the range of clinical and biomedical skills that will be developed, this PhD will provide an ideal platform to
progress onto a career path in clinical epidemiology, nutritional science and/or tropical health.
Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a minimum upper-second honours degree (or equivalent) in
biochemistry, microbiology, nutrition, medicine, nursing or a related subject. A Masters degree in a similar area
or within public health is also required. Previous experience of working in a developing country and basic French
would be an advantage.
Please direct applications in the following format to Dr Loretta Brabin (loretta.brabin@manchester.ac.uk):
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Academic CV
Official academic transcripts
Contact details for two suitable referees
A personal statement (750 words maximum) outlining your suitability for the study, what you hope to
achieve from the PhD and your research experience to date.
Any enquiries relating to the project and/or suitability should be directed to Dr Brabin at the address above.
Applications are invited up to and including Thursday 6 January 2011.
http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/staff/86686