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This scholarship is for the following field of research: MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES - STATISTICS
The proposed research will utilise Bayesian spatiotemporal modelling to explore spatial patterns and interactions between incidence and mortality of different health outcomes, and their association with exposure to risk factors and health screening, in Western Australia and Queensland.
Historically, geographical studies have been effective in finding associations between health outcomes and exposure to risk factors, such as lifestyle and environmental factors (14). Software packages, such as WinBUGS, OpenBUGS and R, are available for performing Bayesian spatiotemporal mapping of health outcomes, exposure to lifestyle and environmental factors. Based on a small range of standard algorithms, these software provide smoothed estimates and colour-coded geographical maps. Maps provide a powerful visual tool for identification of geographical patterns of occurrence of the outcomes of interest. However, they do not accurately represent the uncertainty associated with estimates, and algorithms that may be used vary in terms of distributional assumptions, control of biases, acknowledgement of uncertainties and probabilistic capabilities. The appearance of maps may assist in formulation of hypotheses of health outcome aetiology, and can be used as a guide to statistical exploration.
The objectives of the program of research and investigation are to:
1. Identify geographical patterns and inequalities in incidence and mortality of selected health outcomes, and changes in spatial patterns over time in Western Australia and Queensland
2. Explore spatial interaction between different types of related health outcomes
3. Identify the effects of health screening on health outcomes
4. Identify risk factors associated with diagnosis of health outcomes
5. Develop predictive models of risk to inform current health practice and counselling
The proposed research will extract data from the Cooperative Research Centres Queensland Health and Western Australia Health databases for selected health outcomes, for all subjects registered between 2002-2011. The research will use Bayesian hierarchical model-based areal data analysis methods for mapping disease risk, using state-of-the-art OpenBUGS software.
The Queensland University of Technology ('QUT'), as a member of the Australian Technology Network of Universities (‘ATN’) and collaborator on the Industry Doctoral Training Centre (Mathematics & Statistics) (‘IDTC’) initiative, is currently offering this scholarship to Australian or New Zealand citizens or permanent residents of Australia who are interested in undertaking doctoral degrees in industrial mathematics, applied mathematics or applied statistics and working in collaboration with an industry partner on a project of immediate relevance to Australian industry.
Study Subject: MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES - STATISTICS
Web address: http://www.scitech.qut.edu.au/research/disciplines/mathsci/index.jsp
Provided by: QUT
To be undertaken at: QUT, in collaboration with Spatial Information Systems Research Ltd.
Level: Postgraduate
One scholarship is available for a high achieving student interested in
taking up higher degree by research studies, working on a project of
relevance to Spatial Information Systems Research Ltd, leading to
the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
The value of this scholarship is AUD 30,000 (per annum) for up to 4 years,
subject to satisfactory performance evaluated annually. This award
constitutes a living allowance for the discretion of the student. Students
of the IDTC program will be required to undertake scheduled travel within
Australia to engage in coursework and other professional development
activities in partial fulfilment of the conditions of the IDTC program. The
associated travel costs will be met by the industry partner and/or QUT.
This scholarship is for study in Australia, for students with an Honours
degree in Mathematics or Statistics or equivalent experience in a related
discipline. Only citizens of Australia or New Zealand, or Australian permanent
residents are eligible to apply.
To apply for this scholarship you must apply directly to Queensland University of Technology. For more information please contact the Primary Contact below.
Terms and conditions are subject to change. Always confirm details with the scholarship provider before applying.
Primary Contact
Professor Kerrie Mengersen, Research Professor of Statistics
Faculty of Science and Technology - Mathematical Sciences
Phone: +61 7 3138 2063
Email: k.mengersen@qut.edu.au
Secondary Contact
Associate Professor Troy Farrell
Faculty of Science and Technology - Mathematical Sciences
Phone: +61 7 3138 2364
Email: t.farrell@qut.edu.au
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