2024 RTP round - Cartilage growth, resorption and remodelling in sharks and lizards

Status: Closed

Applications open: 7/07/2023
Applications close: 25/08/2023

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About this scholarship
Description/Applicant information

Elements preserved in the hard tissues (cartilage, bone, and scales) of fish are increasingly being used to interpret the environment, age animals and answer questions around connectivity and habitat partitioning in modern ecosystems. However, this information can be lost or modified due to resorption and remodelling of the skeleton, essential for the growth of the animal.  Despite these applications, many using mineralised tissues from lower vertebrates (fish and sharks), most of our knowledge about resorption, remodelling and repair is based on mammalian bone. We currently do not know when resorption first appeared in lower vertebrates, if it is present in sharks and how or if cartilage repair occurs in lower vertebrates. This project aims to develop a better understanding of the biology of cartilage in lower vertebrate taxa. This will allow us to assess the suitability of skeletal tissues to monitor the aquatic (fish) and terrestrial (lizard) environment. 

To test the utility of skeletal tissues of in shark and lizards for future environmental investigations 

Test and compare resorption and remodelling in the cartilage of sharks and lizards
Investigate the different between repair and regeneration in lizard cartilage
Investigate growth, resorption and remodelling in shark mineralised tissues as a diagnostic tool for age determination. 

The current method used to age sharks for fisheries management are based on methods developed in bony fishes and are not always reliable when applied to shark cartilage. This is because the growth, repair and remodelling process in lower vertebrates is poorly understood. This project will allow you to overturn long held assumptions about the ability of lower vertebrates to repair and regenerate their cartilage as well as the possibility to shape the project towards your preferred direction. The outcome of this research has broad, interdisciplinary applications to ecology, fisheries and medicine and involves a collaboration with the cartilage biomedical engineering team at Queensland University of technology. 

Student type

• Future Students

Faculty

• Faculty of Science & Engineering
  • Science courses

Course type

• Higher Degree by Research

Citizenship

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa

Scholarship base

• Merit Based

Value

The annual scholarship package (stipend and tuition fees) is approx. $60,000 - $70,000 p.a.

Successful HDR applicants for admission will receive a 100% fee offset for up to 4 years, stipend scholarships at the 2023 RTP rate valued at $32,250 p.a. for up to a maximum of 3 years, with a possible 6-month completion scholarship. Applicants are determined via a competitive selection process and will be notified of the scholarship outcome in November 2023. 

For detailed information, visit: Research Training Program (RTP) Scholarships | Curtin University, Perth, Australia.

Scholarship Details
Maximum number awarded

1

Eligible courses

All applicable HDR courses

Eligibility criteria

We are looking for a self-motivated PhD candidate with excellent critical thinking, creative problem-solving and project management skills. Candidates with demonstrated biological laboratory expertise, including familiarity with imaging are desired for this project. Must be eligible to enrol in PhD programs at Curtin.

Application process

If this project excites you, and your research skills and experience are a good fit for this specific project, you should contact the Project Lead (listed below in the enquires section) via the Expression of Interest (EOI) form. ahead of the closing date. Please note you should apply as soon as possible, as once a suitable candidate has been identified this opportunity will no longer be available to receive an EOI.

Enrolment Requirements

Eligible to enrol in a Higher Degree by Research Course at Curtin University by March 2024.

Recipients must complete their milestone 1 within 6 months of enrolment and remain enrolled on a full-time basis for the duration of the scholarship.

Enquiries

To enquire about this project opportunity that includes a scholarship application, contact the Project lead, Catherine Boisvert via the EOI form above.

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