Innovative science PhD programmes announced

Programme in one health models of disease is one of four PhD University of Edinburgh programmes to be awarded funding by Wellcome.

[scald=105181:sdl_editor_representation {"alt":"Students In Lab","caption":""}]

The University of Edinburgh is among 15 UK institutions awarded funds by Wellcome to support doctoral training programmes that blends scientific excellence and a commitment to improving research culture.

Wellcome has announced £127m in funding to support 23 programmes. Each is built on high quality science training and promotes a positive research environment.

They also include measures to address issues such as student mental health, good research practice, supervision and mentorship, career transitions and increasing diversity in research.

One Health models of disease

The “One Health Models of Disease” programme will be hosted by Edinburgh Infectious Diseases - led by Professor Ross Fitzgerald, director of Edinburgh Infectious Diseases at the Roslin Institute.

This new programme addresses the technological advances that are being made in genome-editing and animal bioscience, and which have potential for huge societal impact. 

Students will be equipped with expertise in relevant experimental techniques, alongside key understanding of the bioethical and social contexts of the models they develop. 

We are delighted to be awarded the Wellcome PhD programme which builds on existing strengths in human and veterinary medicine and social science in Edinburgh. The programme will help train the next generation of scientists to apply cutting edge technologies to address some of the most important diseases facing mankind, and to understand the social and bioethical consequences of these powerful approaches.

Professor Ross Fitzgerald
Roslin Institute

New and renewed programmes

The existing programme in “Hosts, Pathogens and Global Health” is based in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. The programme provides expertise spanning infectious disease biology from molecular to evolutionary and epidemiological scales.

The “Integrative Cell Mechanisms” programme will be run by the Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Biology and the “Translational Neuroscience” programme has been successfully renewed. It trains non-clinical students to combine cutting-edge experimental technology and analytical tools with comprehensive knowledge of clinical brain research.

** The Roslin Institute receives strategic investment funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and it is part of the University of Edinburgh’s Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. **

Related links

One Health Models of Disease PhD programme

Postgraduate opportunities at the Roslin Institute

Wellcome Trust - 4 ways that PhD programmes are improving their training culture