About the Project
Currently over 756 million confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infections have caused over 6.7 million deaths. Preparedness for future global pandemics must consider the wider environmental consequences following such catastrophic events. For novel infectious diseases, treatment options are primarily limited to symptom alleviation via antivirals, antibacterials, antimalarial agents and immunomodulators. Consumption of these medications, which increased throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, are released into the environment through bodily fluids and improper disposal of unused medicines. The ecotoxicology and wider environmental implications of these pharmaceuticals are severely neglected. This is particularly problematic for aquatic environments as aquaculture is the fastest growing food industry (valued at over $260 billion globally) and for many countries constitutes the major source of protein. Since the majority of pharmaceuticals end up in water bodies this will have a direct impact on aquatic organisms while also increasing the risk of drug resistance. Unfortunately, the rate of pharmaceutical removal within Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP) is extremely poor. Therefore, a key solution is the development of nature-based engineering solutions that more efficiently remove pharmaceutical contaminants, while also deploying more robust techniques of water analysis for pharmaceutical detection and in vivo biological testing.
Working with the School of Chemistry – Cardiff University, School of Biosciences – Cardiff University and School of Engineering – Cardiff University, Department of Life Sciences : Department of Life Sciences , Aberystwyth University and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (ceh.ac.uk) the student will determine the environmental fate, impact, and efficacy of different removal methods of pharmaceutical drugs used to treat COVID-19. Specific aims:
- A library of target drugs will be created using solutions spiked with known drugs to facilitate drug identification in environmental samples. Water samples from WWTP, river systems and experimental nature-based systems will be chemically analysed to determine levels of pharmaceuticals in the environment and effective removal rates.
- Bioassays, using aquaculturally relevant freshwater fish host-pathogen systems and microbial communities, will assess the biological impacts of key pharmaceuticals on fish growth, lipid content, metabolism and disease susceptibility using experimental facilities at Cardiff and high-throughput metabolism, community composition and enzyme activity assays at UKCEH Wallingford.
- The physicochemical behaviour, fate, and extent of biodegradation of selected pharmaceuticals will be assessed in current wastewater treatment systems. Development of nature-based treatment systems (such as reed beds) through biogeochemical engineering is also a key aim of this studentship. Treatment efficacy and potential improvements will be assessed using a range of laboratory column mesocosm studies using the target pharmaceuticals. End of pipe (WWTP) technologies can then be coupled with policy and regulatory changes as a multi-faceted method of reducing levels of pharmaceuticals found within water.
Together these results will improve our understanding of
1) the fate and distribution of pharmaceuticals after a pandemic;
2) the threat to aquaculture from chronic pharmacological exposure; and
3) nature-based water treatment technology.
Supervisors
Dr Ben Ward – People – Cardiff University wardbd@cardiff.ac.uk
Professor Jo Cable – People – Cardiff University cablej@cardiff.ac.uk
Academic criteria
A very high standard of applications is typically received, the successful applicant is likely to have a very good first degree (a First or Upper Second class BSc Honours or equivalent) and/or be distinguished by having relevant research experience.
English Language criteria
Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent) English language requirements for postgraduate students – Study – Cardiff University
How to apply
You can apply online – consideration is automatic on applying for a PhD with an October 2023 start date.
Please use our online application service at:
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research/programmes/programme/biosciences-phd-mphil-md
and specify in the funding section that you wish to be considered for UKRI OneZoo funding.
Please specify that you are applying for this particular project and name the supervisor.
If this project is successful for funding you will be offered a PhD in Chemistry
If not successful in being shortlisted for this particular studentship you could be considered for other studentships within the OneZoo program, please see the full list here: https://peter-kille.github.io/OneZoo/projects_2023.html’
You must also by 1 May 2023 send the following to OneZoo@cardiff.ac.uk (title of the email must include the name of the host institution to which you are applying, and the surname of the principal supervisor) e.g. “Cardiff_Cable”
- Completed CDT application Form – available to download https://peter-kille.github.io/OneZoo/www/2023-24_OneZoo_CDT_Studentship_Application_Form10March23FINAL.docx
- Completed Equal Opportunities Form – available to download https://peter-kille.github.io/OneZoo/www/2023-24_OneZoo_equal_opportunities_Form_10March23FINAL.docx
- 2 page CV
- Copy of passport photo page
Further information
For any enquiries about this specific project please contact the supervisor, Dr Ben Ward wardbd@cardiff.ac.uk
For further information about the application and interview process please contact Professor Jo Cable cablej@cardiff.ac.uk
Application deadline: 1st May 2023 with interviews (either in person or online) being held on or around end of May and decisions being made by June 2023
Start date – 1st October 2023
Funding Notes
This is 3.5 year studentship is open to Home, EU or international students. The award offered will cover Home, EU or international fees and a maintenance stipend. International/EU candidates are welcomed.
Please note we are limited to 6 studentships available for international/EU applicants that can cover full fees.
In 2023 the maintenance grant for full-time students was a minimum stipend of £17,668 per annum. As well as tuition fees and a maintenance grant, all students receive access to OneZoo training and additional courses offered by the University’s Doctoral Academy.
We welcome applications for full and part time study.
References
Our transdisciplinary OneZoo CDT will equip the next generation of world-leading scientists with the skills and insight necessary to tackle current and future zoonotic threats. To design successful, innovative environmental prevention and control strategies, zoonotic drivers need to be understood through an integrated approach. As part of the OneZoo program you will build an in-depth understanding of the connectivity between key drivers of pathogen host shifts, spillover and onward transmission; exploring pathogen, environmental and human societal processes that can promote zoonotic disease and form the basis of integrated solutions. Our award-winning educators and experts in zoonotic diseases and environmental sciences, from Cardiff University, Aberystwyth University, Queen’s University Belfast, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, will work collectively, fostering creation of the OneZoo research community, and empowering students to develop their own training to acquire strong employability skills. This CDT offers an unprecedented level of diversity and transdisciplinarity.
