MRC DTP in Precision Medicine

From Image to Intervention: AI-Powered MRI Biomarkers for Personalized Brain Tumour Care

Supervisors

Prof Monika Harvey, School of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Glasgow
Dr Michele Svanera, School of Psychology & Neuroscience, University of Glasgow
Prof Matthew Walters, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, University of Glasgow
Dr Samih Hassan, School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, University of Glasgow

Summary

Every year in Scotland about 1,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour. For one-third of these, radiotherapy is an essential part of the treatment. While radiotherapy helps to control tumour growth, it carries long-term risks for brain health in terms of accelerated cognitive decline (including memory problems) as well as an increased risk of stroke. At present, clinicians lack reliable tools to predict who is most vulnerable and how to best tailor treatments to minimise these effects.

This PhD project will bring together Cognitive Neuropsychology, neuroscience, artificial intelligence (AI) and cancer/stroke medicine to tackle this challenge. Using thousands of MRI brain images, the student will apply advanced AI foundation models to derive automated biomarkers of brain health. These measures will then be linked to long-term cognitive outcomes and future stroke risk, enabling more precise patient stratification and personalized treatment strategies that minimize harm while maximising tumour control.

The studentship will equip the candidate with skills in computational neuroscience, cognitive assessment and applied AI, with a strong focus on applying these approaches to real-world healthcare challenges. Based at the University of Glasgow’s School of Psychology and Neuroscience, the student will join a vibrant research community, benefiting from expert supervision, interdisciplinary collaboration, and regular seminars and journal clubs. Applicants with prior experience in Machine Learning or related areas are especially encouraged to apply.