Birbal Prasad is the first new addition to the team, who will be developing and applying novel system analysis and artificial intelligence approaches to discover biomarkers for brain cancer. He will be using a machine learning model to investigate and discover the most appropriate biomarkers for brain cancer diagnosis.
The second new researcher is Mina Safarzadeh, who will be developing a simple and inexpensive biosensor for quantitative detection of DNA methylation markers, together with the required onboard electronics and data process. DNA methylation plays key roles in gene expression and regulation, and scientists have linked abnormal methylation to various devastating outcomes.
The project will incorporate sensor fabrication, chemistry and protocols already developed by the group, and DNA methylation detection techniques developed elsewhere into the new sensing regime. She will be supervised by Professor Genhua Pan, Associate Head of School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics.
Aira Patrice Rueda Ong is the third new researcher, who will be responsible for the development of an innovative and sustainable AiPBAND business model to underpin effective business strategy development and commercial section.
Aira will investigate relationships between business model qualifying factors (such as value, cost structure, potential revenue sources) and enabling factors (including entrepreneurial attributes, market uptake evaluation, business dynamics and sustainability) so that the innovative AiPBAND business model will be market-oriented, resilient and robust to guide business strategy development.
She will be supervised by Professor Shaofeng Liu, one of the supervisors of the AiPBAND project, based in the Faculty of Business.
Dr Xinzhong Li, whose work takes place in the University’s Brain Tumour Research Centre of Excellence, said:
“It’s fantastic that we’ve recruited these new researchers to AiPBAND. The project’s main aim is to continue our aim to futureproof research into brain tumours by creating a whole new generation of researchers, and we have a great environment here at Plymouth to do that. Working alongside our international partners, this is a really game-changing project, and we are very grateful to the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 – Research and Innovation Framework Programme for this funding.”
