The efficacy of acute supplementation of New Zealand blackcurrants (Ārepa formulation) in supporting cognitive function in healthy adults during times of ecologically induced cognitive perturbation

We are recruiting to one fully-funded PhD Bursary in the Department of Psychology at Leeds Beckett University. The PhD student will be part of a research community in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Carnegie School of Sport here at Leeds Beckett University. The student will benefit from access to the researcher training programme, symposiums, other scholarly activities. We have a thriving community of staff and students with a strong interest in psychological and health research.

It is envisaged that the PhD student will have a background in psychology/ sports physiology/ or nutrition. The student will receive training on methodologies employed within this research program and will be required to become proficient in Good Clinical Practice (GCP). It is likely the PhD candidate will already have a strong background in quantitative methods, and systematic literature reviewing. The supervisors of this project have extensive experience in interventional and efficacy clinical trial research and are expert in cognitive, psychological, physiological and sports performance measurement. 

The bursary includes all UK Fees paid and a stipend of £19,237 per annum (pro-rate into 12 monthly payments) for a period of three years. Funding will be subject to satisfactory progress. We will appoint the strongest candidate to the bursary.

The PhD bursary is full-time for 3 years with a start date of 1^st October 2024

Eligibility and Entry Requirements

 The successful candidates would ideally have:

• 2:1 or higher in a relevant undergraduate degree.
• Interest in researching a topic related to the two topic areas outlined.
• Some previous experience quantitative research methods is desirable.

For those whose first language is not English you must also have an IELTS score of 6.5 or above. The PhD will be awarded to the strongest applications assessed on the applicant’s academic excellence, the strength of the research proposal and how the proposal fits with the research project identified.

Guide to Making your Application

We can only consider complete applications. The research degree application is complete once you have uploaded all of the following:

• Your application form
• A personal statement (max 2 pages) documenting the following:

1. How you would approach the research project, aims, objectives and a research plan over a 3 year timeframe;
2. Knowledge of the subject area (i.e. either from a health psychology or physical activity background) that will ensure the development of a focused line of enquiry;
3. Knowledge and understanding of research methods appropriate to undertaking a PhD in the area of research.

• CV 
• Copies of your bachelors certificates, including transcripts
• Copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable) further information can be found here
• Copy of your passport

Email the documentation above to [email protected]

The deadline for applications is midnight 14^th July 2024.

Candidates must be available for an interview (either in person at Leeds Beckett University or via Teams) in w/c 29^th July.

Who to contact

To discuss a project please contact Director of Studies Professor Lauren Owen ([email protected] ). For questions on the application process; [email protected]

If you are applying from outside the UK it is important that you are aware of the entry and additional fee requirements by contacting [email protected] for further information.

Summary:

Plants that we consume through our diet contain natural chemicals or compounds called phytonutrients, many of which are beneficial to our health. Blackcurrants are a rich source of phytonutrients (polyphenolic flavonoids, in particular, anthocyanins). The specific phytonutrients in blackcurrants have been shown to facilitate cognitive function in humans and animals, likely due to their actions on metabolic pathways and blood flow and antioxidant activity. These phytonutrients are also able to confer protection to brain cells against damage from neurotoxins and inflammation. Additionally, there are specific bio-active components within New Zealand Blackcurrants that act directly on neurotransmitter systems important in the regulation of mental health.

The studentship will consist of a series of double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled studies to investigate the efficacy of berry formulation under different ecological conditions characterised by/ or known to induce cognitive abatements in healthy adults (e.g. high altitude and sleep deprivation and potentially heat and cold stress). It is hypothesised that under conditions of homeostatic stress, the blackcurrant berry formulation will support cognitive function (reliant upon attentional and working memory neural networks), physiology, mood, stress and fatigue as well as markers of vascular function and metabolism.

While the research will be within the area described above, the PhD student will have the opportunity to determine the particular focus, research questions, and methods of their programme of work in collaboration with the supervision team. The PhD is funded for 3 years full-time, with a planned start date of October 2021.

Aims:

 The overall aim of the studentship is to examine the efficacy of the Ārepa formulation for enhancement and protecting cognitive function in healthy adults during times of experimentally induced cognitive perturbation.

1.  To examine the potential of NZ Blackberry (Ārepa formulation) to engender protection from the deleterious physiological and cognitive effects of High Altitude (HA) exposure.
2. To examine the potential of NZ Blackberry (Ārepa formulation) to engender protection from the deleterious physiological and cognitive effects of Sleep Deprivation (SD).
3. There is the potential to examine Ārepa efficacy under cold or heat stress, or delve deeper into the potential benefits at HA or SD.

Methods:

• Systematic literature review
• Randomised controlled trial/s (RCT’s)

Supervisory Team:

• Professor Lauren Owen, Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
• Professor John O’Hara , Sport & Exercise Physiology at the Carnegie School of Sport.
• Dr Zoe Kolokotroni Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences