Master's thesis projects
PDHM availability and the wellbeing of families with preterm infants
| Closing date | Subject area | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 January 2024 | Master of Public Health | Manawatū or by negotiation | Dr Linda Murray |
Preferred candidate
This project is perfect for someone interested in maternal and child health, nutrition, or interventions to support families to thrive.
You will be required to conduct interviews with families connected with a donor milk banking service, and conduct analysis informed by qualitative research methodologies.
If you are not based in the Manawatū you can complete your work remotely. You will need to be self-directed, curious, have good interpersonal skills, and be enthusiastic about public health.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you need to:
- be enrolled in a 90 credit thesis to complete the Master of Public Health
- have completed the first core 120 credits of the Master of Public Health.
About this project
The “a bridge to a better future” project is a collaboration between Massey University researchers and the Whāngai Ora Milk Bank in Palmerston North.
The project is investigating how the availability of donor milk affects breastfeeding practices and family wellbeing, and the experiences of both donors and recipient families.
How to apply
Contact Linda Murray at l.murray1@massey.ac.nz
Food rescue services, community nutrition, and sustainable food systems
| Closing date | Subject area | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 December 2023 | Master of Public Health | Wellington or by negotiation | Dr Linda Murray |
Preferred candidate
This topic is perfect for someone who is passionate about community food security and reducing food waste. You will need to work closely with a local organisation (most probably in person) and spend time with them and the communities they serve.
You will need good interpersonal skills, flexibility and a willingness to learn from others.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you need to:
- be enrolled in a 90 credit thesis to complete the Master of Public Health
- have completed the first core 120 credits of the Master of Public Health.
About this project
Nationally, food rescue services have grown and expanded rapidly in the past three years. There are opportunities for students to work with an organisation to investigate how their operations can better support community nutrition needs and/or complement other food security programmes. Specific projects will be developed when candidature begins.
How to apply
Contact Linda Murray at l.murray1@massey.ac.nz
Rangatiratanga and online media
By exploring virtual rangatiratanga, as forms of Māori agency, this research aims to understand how we, as Māori, create, shape, experience and share our worlds through online media.
| Closing date | Subject area | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 December 2023 | Online media and indigenous audience research | New Zealand (nationwide) | Angela Moewaka Barnes |
Preferred candidate
A master’s candidate ready to begin their thesis, with an interest and background in media studies, Kaupapa Māori, Māori studies, public health and/or sociology.
Eligibility
To be eligible you need to:
- be ready to begin the thesis stage of your master’s degree
- be interested in online media and indigenous audience research
- ideally have a background in a relevant social science discipline such as media studies, Kaupapa Māori, Māori studies, public health and sociology or other related areas.
About this project
Media pervades every aspect of life, influencing, norms, practices and the communities, lives and nation we aspire to and hope to foster. Indigenous peoples understand its power and in response, traditional and new media platforms are harnessed with purpose. While negative representations are traumatic and harmful, there are increasing opportunities to be uplifted by new Māori media forms and practices. We are interested in the multiple ways Māori audiences and creators of content engage with online media to shape and create physical and increasingly virtual spaces of safety where resistance can be viewed as acts of sovereignty or rangatiratanga. We will explore the idea of virtual rangatiratanga, as forms of Māori agency, and look at how we, as Māori, create, shape, experience and share our virtual worlds. The research involves in-depth qualitative interviews, textual readings of public online items and wānanga to extend theory and develop new knowledge.
The project is a collaboration between Dr Angela Moewaka Barnes (Ngāpuhi, Te Kapotai) and Professor Helen Moewaka Barnes (Ngāpuhi, Te Kapotai), SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre, Massey University, and Associate Professor Jo Smith (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha), Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington. All three are available as supervisors to support your work.
We hope to appoint by March 2024 and you will be part of the research team for the duration of 12 months while you write your thesis. The successful applicant will receive a tax-free stipend of $22,000 and fees for 12 months. You will be included as part of the research team and will attend team meetings. Work will involve carrying out some interviews that will contribute to your thesis and the project. You would develop your own project aligned to the Marsden project and you will be able to follow an area that particularly interests you.
How to apply
Email Dr Angela Moewaka Barnes at a.mwakabarnes@massey.ac.nz. Please include:
- CV
- cover letter
- academic record.
Doctoral thesis projects
Find a doctoral thesis project without an attached scholarship. We strongly encourage you to seek other funding sources, including Massey-wide scholarships.
Are health, wellbeing, and iron status influenced by menstrual cycle status?
| Closing date | Subject area | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 November 2023 | Nutrition and Physiology | Auckland campus | Dr Claire Badenhorst |
Preferred candidate
Applicants must demonstrate experience and interest in research methods and project management. The University recommendations for a PhD scholarship are for the applicant to have a grade point average (GPA) of 7.5 or higher, in a Master’s or Honours degree in Nutrition, Exercise and Sport Science or Physiology.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must have a Master of Science or Honours degree in Nutrition, Physiology, or Exercise and Sport Science degree.
To be eligible for a Massey University Doctoral Scholarship, a minimum New Zealand GPA of 7.5 is required (approximately A- average) or a minimum GPA of 3.33 on the United States scale.
About this project
Recent research suggests up to 55% of females have early-stage iron deficiency with rates drastically elevated in Māori, Asian, and Pacifica females. In premenopausal females, regular menstrual blood loss is a major risk factor for iron deficiency. Females that experience heavy menstrual bleeding are at 5–6 x higher risk of an iron deficiency diagnosis. A regular menstrual cycle is a key marker for health in females, yet changes to cycle characteristics (heavy menstrual bleeding) and reproductive hormone levels (subclinical ovulatory disturbances) may occur in healthy premenopausal women in response to physical (e.g., dietary) and psychological stressors (e.g., dietary restraint). The prevalence of subclinical ovulatory disturbances in healthy females may range from 16 to 79%. Few studies have considered if changes to healthy female menstrual cycle status (i.e., subclinical ovulatory disturbances) cause heavy menstrual bleeding and subsequently iron deficiency. Therefore, to truly understand the risk of iron deficiency in regularly menstruating females, an understanding of changes to menstrual cycle status in response to physical and mental stress is required.
The study design is a 6-month prospective cohort study in 165 healthy premenopausal females, 18-35 years of age. This project is the first research project that aims to understand how changes to the menstrual cycle may increase the risk of iron deficiency in females. The results of this study will be the first to consider unique characteristics of the menstrual cycle and associations with rates of iron deficiency. The research design will provide a framework for future researchers on how to conduct acute and longitudinal health research that takes into consideration the unique physiology of menstruating females.
The successful applicant will get to work with a strong supervisory team based at Massey University in Auckland, New Zealand. The supervisory team will be led by Dr Claire Badenhorst (Senior Lecturer in Exercise and Sport Science) who has research expertise in iron regulation and female physiology. Other members of the supervisory team include Professor Pam von Hurst (expert in Nutrition, and experience in large research trials), Associate Professor Kathryn Beck (expert in Nutrition and dietary pattern analysis), Dr Stacy Sims (expert in applied Physiology, women’s health and performance) and Dr Sarah Beable (Medical expert for support of the project).
How to apply
Interested applicants should contact Dr Claire Badenhorst at C.Badenhorst@massey.ac.nz.
Applicants should include:
- Academic Transcripts
- CV
- A 250-word outline of skills they would bring to the project, previous experience of research methods, evidence of their commitment to project completion and interest in female health and performance.
Ultra-processed food intake and dietary quality, nutrient intake and health
| Closing date | Subject area | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| No closing date | Nutrition and Physiology | Auckland campus | Associate Professor Kathryn Beck |
Preferred candidate
The preferred candidate will have a background in nutrition and dietetics, with an interest in exploring and analysing dietary data to inform public health nutrition.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 7.0 or higher.
Apply for a Massey University doctoral scholarship
About this project
In recent years, there have been significant changes to the food environment and an increase in ultra-processed food (UPF) available. Ultra-processed foods are highly processed, convenience foods and are what most people think of as ‘junk food’. They have little nutritional value and are high in ingredients that are harmful to health. Many studies outside of New Zealand have shown that eating high amounts of UPF increases the risk of suboptimal health. To date minimal research has investigated UPF intake in New Zealand populations.
The proposed study will investigate what and how much UPF New Zealanders are eating, including older adults and children. The project has the potential to explore several aspects of UPF intake including what nutrients New Zealanders are getting from UPFs; and when, where and with whom UPF are being eaten. There is the potential to explore how UPF are associated with health outcomes including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and cognitive function.
How to apply
Email Kathryn Beck at k.l.beck@massey.ac.nz.
Evaluation of Healthy Active Learning initiative
| Closing date | Subject area | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 February 2024 |
Multiple opportunities available: Physical activity Nutrition Public health Education Economics Statistics |
Auckland campus | Professor Ajmol Ali |
Preferred candidate
PhD candidates with a background in physical activity, nutrition, psychology, education, economics and/or statistics who want to undertake research in different aspects of public health.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you need to:
- have a master’s degree in a relevant field — for example nutrition, sport and exercise, public health, biostatistics, economics, sleep science, education, psychology
- have an interest in working with children
- be flexible, able to work in a multidisciplinary team, and passionate about public health research
- have appropriate English language abilities.
To be eligible for a Massey University Doctoral Scholarship, a minimum New Zealand GPA of 7.5 is required (approximately A- average) or a minimum GPA of 3.33 on the United States scale.
About this project
Healthy Active Learning is a joint government initiative between Sport New Zealand and the Ministries of Health and Education to improve the wellbeing of tamariki (children) and rangatahi (youth) through healthy eating and drinking and quality physical activity. It is driven by a $47m government commitment to the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy.
The baseline assessment has been completed (2020-2021). The Phase 1 post-intervention data will be collected in 2022-2023, and the Phase 2 post-intervention data will be collected in 2024-2025. As part of the evaluation, we will investigate physical activity of students (within and outside of school) using a variety of research tools including:
- accelerometers
- questionnaires
- student focus groups
- teacher and parent surveys
- teacher and parent focus groups.
We also have several sources of data from Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Sport New Zealand.
Currently, there are two PhD and five master’s students working on various aspects of the project. You will work with Professor Ajmol Ali and other academics (as appropriate, depending on topic area/discipline) to:
- set the criteria for assessment
- undertake a detailed literature review
- identify specific aims and objectives
- examine and analyse relevant data
- write up a thesis.
This is your chance to work on a nationwide project, involving three different government agencies, undertaking work that will impact the children of New Zealand.
View a short presentation explaining the evaluation
Learn more about the intervention
How to apply
Email Professor Ajmol Ali: A.Ali@massey.ac.nz
Please send the following documents with your enquiry email:
- cover letter
- CV with referees
- academic record
- English language certification.
Vascular endothelial growth factor C and VEGFR3 in heart disease patients
| Closing date | Subject area | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| No closing date | Health sciences | Wellington campus | Dr Barry Palmer |
Preferred candidate
A PhD candidate with a background in biochemistry and/or molecular biology who wants to undertake research in the field of assessing heart disease biomarkers.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you need to:
- have a master’s or bachelor’s degree with honours (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline
- know about the assaying of protein markers from plasma and/or the analysis of genetic polymorphisms
- be enthusiastic for challenges
- be well-organised, self-motivated and keen to learn new skills and knowledge.
Experience in ELISA assays and real-time qPCR assays would be advantageous, but is not essential.
To be eligible for a Massey University Doctoral Scholarship, a minimum New Zealand GPA of 7.5 is required (approximately A- average) or a minimum GPA of 3.33 on the United States scale.
About this project
This project is an extension of investigation into baseline levels of components of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system (a proxy for angiogenic potential) in heart disease patient plasma and DNA samples.
VEGF-C binds VEGFR2 (KDR) and VEGFR3 (FLT4 — fms-like tyrosine kinase 4) and regulates growth of vessels in the lymphatic system. As well as its role in lymphangiogenesis, VEGF-C’s interaction with VEGFR2 may lead to angiogenesis by regulating a specialised subset of endothelial cells that express VEGFR2.
VEGF-C also induces the activation of VEGFR3+ dendritic cells — stimulating their migration and maturation, potentially influencing immune and inflammatory responses to coronary heart disease. Soluble VEGFR3 (sVEGFR3) has been proposed as an angiogenic biomarker in cancer diagnosis and treatment, and may have use as a prognostic biomarker in heart patients.
Lymphangiogenesis has been observed in humans after heart attack. VEGF-C mRNA expression has been shown to be upregulated in heart biopsies from heart failure patients with either ischaemic (ICM) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) compared to samples from donated, non-failing hearts.
In mice, myocardial ischaemia or ischaemia-reperfusion leads to VEGF-C and VEGFR3 protein over-expression. VEGFR3 blockade and treatment with VEGF-C neutralising antibody reduces the boost in lymphatic vessel density, blunts lymphatic transport, increases inflammation, increases oedema, and increases cardiac dysfunction.
Stimulating the endogenous lymphangiogenesis response with VEGF-C treatment reduces inflammation, reduces oedema, and improves cardiac dysfunction. High levels of VEGF-C in human circulation may positively affect recovery from acute heart disease events.
How to apply
Email Dr Barry Palmer: B.Palmer@massey.ac.nz.
Please send the following documents with your enquiry email:
- cover letter
- CV with referees
- academic record.