UQ Centre for Clinical Research Summer Research projects
Digital applications for neuropsychological assessment: A systematic review
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 35 |
Location: | Herston: UQ Centre for Clinical Research |
Description: | Neuropsychology investigates the connection between the brain and behavior, focusing on both normal functioning and dysfunctions caused by brain injury. The primary tool for assessing and identifying these impairments is neuropsychological assessment, which involves performance-based tests designed to evaluate different cognitive abilities, such as memory. A key feature of neuropsychology is its transdisciplinary approach, with significant contributions from fields like computer science, resulting in advancements such as neural networks and computerized testing methods. Although digital technologies have recently emerged as promising tools to improve neuropsychological assessments, it current implementation needs to be explored, which this systematic review aims to achieve. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | Literature review – encompassing article screening, data extraction, analysis, and the potential for publication |
Suitable for: | Student with interest in Digital Mental Health, pre-medical provisional students or students considering a PhD. |
Primary Supervisor: | Dr Elton Lobo, elton.lobo@uq.edu.au The supervisor CAN be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |
The burden of Leptospirosis in Latin America and the Caribbean
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 36 |
Location: | Herston: UQ Centre for Clinical Research |
Description: | Leptospirosis affects people and animals and is spread in the urine of infected animals. About one million cases in people occur around the world each year with nearly 60,000 deaths. Leptospirosis risk often increases after a hurricane or flood when people have contact with contaminated water or soil. Latin America and the Caribbean are prone to leptospirosis outbreaks due to its warm climate, heavy rainfall, and cyclones/hurricanes. Currently, sub-national level burden data is limited in the region, hindering the effective implementation of preventing targeted measures. The aim of the project is to estimate the sub-national burden of leptospirosis in Latin America and the Caribbean using a geospatial approach. Based on a transmission risk framework (including major risk factors such as flood-risk areas), a map of suitable areas for leptospirosis transmission will be created. Subsequently, the population living within the transmission areas will be estimated. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | The student will a gain insight of epidemiological techniques, hands on data analysis, and contribute to the preparation of a academic paper. The deliverables of this project include a publication and conference presentations. |
Suitable for: | The project is suitable for students with basic data analysis knowledge and understanding. Programming skills and experience in R are desirable, but not required. |
Primary Supervisor: | Dr Luis Furuya Kanamori, l.furuya@uq.edu.au; Dr Beatris Martin, beatris.martin@uq.edu.au The supervisor MUST be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |
Searching for cloaking antibodies in children with chronic ear infections
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 20 |
Location: | Herston: UQ Centre for Clinical Research |
Description: | Some children are burdened by debilitating chronic ear infections whilst their siblings have healthy ears. We recently discovered that patients with bad lung infections produce cloaking antibodies that inhibit their immune response. We are interested to look for cloaking antibodies in children with chronic ear infections. Before embarking on this, we are interested to undertake a literature review to better understand what has been found when seeking immunodeficiencies in children with chronic ear infections. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | Expected outcomes: develop skills around medical research, develop skills in conducting a literature review, contribute to a publication, produce a report at the end of the project. |
Suitable for: | The project is open to students with a background in science and pre-medical students. |
Primary Supervisor: | Dr Diane Maresco-Pennisi, d.marescopennisi@uq.edu.au The supervisor MUST be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |
Biomarkers to improve outcomes for females with endometrial cancer
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 20-30 |
Location: | Herston: UQ Centre for Clinical Research |
Description: | Endometrial cancer originates from the inner layer of the uterus and is the fifth most common cancer in females. In Australia, the incidence is >3,000 cases per year and this is rising at a rate of 1% year on year, while globally over 400,000 females are diagnosed annually. Current standard treatment requires surgical removal of the uterus, tubes and ovaries (hysterectomy). We recently completed a phase II randomised clinical trial exploring non-surgical hormonal treatment for early-stage endometrial cancer and found that approximately 60% of females responded to this treatment (NCT01686126). We collected extensive data from consenting trial participants, as well as blood and tissue samples for biomarker research. This project will explore biomarkers that could improve diagnosis and treatment planning for females with endometrial cancer. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | Students will gain an insight into clinical trials and translational research. At the end of the project, they will be expected to produce a short report and give an oral presentation. |
Suitable for: | This project is open to applications from students considering doing Honours, Masters or a PhD. |
Primary Supervisor: | Dr Eva Baxter, e.baxter@uq.edu.au The supervisor CAN be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |
Manual segmentation of hippocampal subfields using high-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 25 |
Location: | Herston: UQ Centre for Clinical Research |
Description: | This project will train students on manual segmentation of hippocampal subfields using high-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It will require that students complete a formal training program (2 weeks) followed by segmentation of de-identified participant scans (4 weeks). Segmentations completed for this project will contribute to a clinical trial aimed at reducing dementia risk in Parkinson's disease using a repurposed antiepileptic drug. Students will have the opportunity to learn more about the clinical trial, if interested. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | Students will learn how to independently identify and segment hippocampal subfields and become contribute to the pre-processing of MRI data for a clinical trial. They will also become familiar with common MRI processing software (i.e., AFNI) and their use in clinical trials / experimental psychology studies. Students will be expected to produce a brief report on their experience during the program. |
Suitable for: | This project is open to students from all disciplines. Students interested in pursuing Honours programs are encouraged to apply. |
Primary Supervisor: | Dr Dana Pourzinal, uqdpourz@uq.edu.au The supervisor CAN be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |
Alzheimer's diseasex biomarkers in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 25 |
Location: | Herston: UQ Centre for Clinical Research |
Description: | This project is a systematic review of Azlheimer's disease biomarkers (e.g., imaging, blood, CSF biomarkers) in Parkinson's disease and their association with risk of cognitive decline. It will require the student to develop a systematic review protocol, conduct abstract/title and full-text screening, quality assessment, data extraction and write up of results. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | Students will have the opportunity to become familiar with systematic review protocols and methodology. Contingent on the work completed, students may be eligible for co-authorship on a publication at the conclusion of the program. Students will be expected to produce a brief report of their experience during the program. |
Suitable for: | This project is open to students from all disciplines. Students with interest in neurodegenerative disease are highly encouraged to apply. |
Primary Supervisor: | Dr Dana Pourzinal, uqdpourz@uq.edu.au The supervisor CAN be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |
Area-based factors associated with infectious diseases of poverty in Latin America
Project duration, hours of engagement | 6 weeks between 13 January and 21 February in 2025 36 |
Location: | Herston: UQ Centre for Clinical Research |
Description: | This sub-project is part of a larger initiative aimed at creating a composite spatial index to measure the risk of infectious diseases of poverty in the Dominican Republic. The focus is on identifying area-based factors associated with infectious diseases of poverty in Latin America. We have already established an official definition of infectious diseases of poverty and will consider any factors at the area level, regardless of spatial scale (e.g., SA1, SA2, postcode level). The data extraction phase is complete, and the review is registered. We are seeking a motivated student to analyse the data, primarily through charting, and to write the scoping review. This work will help identify key factors, which will be applied to a dataset from the Dominican Republic in a subsequent phase to measure vulnerability to infectious diseases of poverty. There may also be an opportunity to collaborate on the next phase of the project beyond the summer program, if the student is interested. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | The search strategy has been completed, and data elements have been extracted from the included papers. We are seeking a motivated student to analyse the data and write the scoping review, with a focus on charting. The student will be listed as a co-author on the resulting manuscript, which will be submitted to a Q1 journal. This role offers valuable experience in submitting a paper to a journal, tracking the manuscript’s status, communicating with editors and peer reviewers, and ultimately publishing the work. It’s an excellent learning opportunity. Additionally, the student will have the chance to connect with colleagues in the OdESI research group, who specialize in infectious diseases, as well as colleagues at the School of Public Health (SPH). This will be a great opportunity to expand their professional network. |
Suitable for: | This project is open to applications from students with a background in medical fields, epidemiology, public health, pre-medical provisional students, and students considering a PhD. |
Primary Supervisor: | Dr Behzad Kiani, B.Kiani@uq.edu.au The supervisor CAN be contacted by students prior to submission of an application. |