Funded PhD: Mechanistic Studies of Pasta

Project in brief

This PhD seeks to explore and systematically characterise the structure of Durum wheat semolina pasta using microscopy and in vitro digestive methods. Pasta is characterised as a refined carbohydrate source yet it has a high dietary fibre content and a low glycaemic index. It is also a mainstay of the Mediterranean diet. This work will help elucidate the reasons for the positive health impact of pasta.

Key Facts

Location: Brighton, Falmer campus

Project themes:

Nutrition
Food structure
Microscopy

School: School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences

Application deadline: Sunday 09 November 2025, 23:59 (11:59pm)

Expected interview dates: Monday 17 November; interviews will be in-person

Start date: 02 January 2026

Find out how to apply

Project supervisors

University of Brighton supervisors

Dr Marie-Ann van Ginkel

My research is around the definition of carbohydrates and how we need to change this to reflect the health impacts of carbohydrate consumption. I have a particular interest in dietary fibre, in particular how the three dimensional matrix created by plant cell walls impacts on digestion dynamics. This also impacts on starch and starch digestion. Students are welcome to enquire about any aspect of this work, from the public health implications through to the analytical side.

Prof Wendy Macfarlane

The Diabetes Research Group (DRG) work directly with patients with Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational Diabetes, utilising state of the art technologies to provide novel and more effective therapeutic interventions.

PhD Students at University of Brighton

Karen Sargent

CGMS technology for improved outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes.

Victoria Ordor

Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems (CGMS) as a motivational tool in young obese individuals. PhD sponsored by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Elaine Sharp

Investigating the role of psychological time perspective in adherence to self-care in young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D)

Madeline Honey

The effect of anti-psychotic drugs on long-term beta-cell survival and pancreatic function.

Alice Hagan

Elucidation of the Mechanism of Action of Locally-delivered Novel Chemotherapeutic Agent Combinations from Drug-eluting Embolisation Systems. PhD sponsored by an 1851 Royal Commission Fellowship in collaboration with BTG. PhD Awarded 2018

Dr Nouf Alhasawi

Protection of islet cells for transplantation therapy in type 1 diabetes. PhD awarded 2016

Dr Ben McCutcheon

Mining bugs for drugs: Discovery and characterization of novel bioactive compounds from the human gut microbiome. PhD awarded 2016.

Dr Sandeep Kumar

Expression, subcellular localisation and regulation of programmed cell death gene 4 (PDCD4) in human pancreatic cells in response to hypoxia. PhD awarded 2015.

Dr Jonathan Nzakizwanayo

Investigation of host-microbe interactions in the probiotics. PhD Awarded 2014.

External supervisors and collaborators

Dr Balazs Bajka, King's College London (second supervisor)

Prof Peter Ellis, King's College London

Dr Livia Augustin, Naples

Project in detail: Mechanistic Studies of Pasta

The aim of the project is to determine the fate of pasta in the gastrointestinal tract, initially focusing on how much material reaches the colon intact. While we would expect dietary fibre (plant cell walls) to reach the colon, it is not clear how much starch in pasta could reach the colon or whether this outcome is dependent on the structural architecture and properties of the pasta, or whether aspects of the digestive process could affect this e.g. mastication.

The project will aim to answer a complex biological problem using a multidisciplinary approach to study nutrient release, digestion kinetics and postprandial metabolism. You will receive training in plant food structure, plant cell wall biochemistry, polysaccharide function, enzymology, digestive physiology as well as microscopy. You will use light microscopy, confocal microscopy and may also use TEM and SEM.

You will work closely with collaborators in King's College London on confocal microscopy and in vitro gut modelling.

Entry requirements

Academic entry requirements

Applicants should have a minimum of a 2:1 undergraduate degree and desirably hold or expect to achieve excellent grades in a masters degree in a relevant subject from a UK university or comparable qualifications from another recognised university.

Applicants are also required to submit a research proposal of no more than 1,000 words. The proposal should be shaped by a reflection on the project brief, and outline your motivation for conducting this research, the key skills that you can bring to this project, and how you would approach and shape the research.

Residential eligibility criteria 

Home students for full funding.

Other students welcome however they will need to pay the balance of fees as outlined in the Funding section below.

English language entry requirements

All applicants must have successfully completed a Secure English Language Test (SELT) in the last two years unless they are from one of the UKVI-defined list of Majority English-Speaking Countries.

Applicants who are studying for, or have obtained in the last three years, a degree from an institution in the UK or one of the UKVI-approved countries may apply without a SELT. However, the university may request a SELT is taken as part of any award made. 

English language IELTS requirements are 7.0 overall, with 7.0 for writing and no component below 6.5.

We accept a number of English language qualifications including IELTS. Please contact us if you have any queries arising from this. Further details can be found here: 

Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Funding

This studentship is funded for three years (or part time equivalent) by Barilla Pasta. The funding will cover the full cost of the UKRI-rate annual stipend (£20,780 in 2025-26) and the Home fee (£5,006 FT in 2025-26). There is additional funding to cover research costs, including travel.

Candidates applying who would be assessed as eligible for International fee (£16,390 in 2025-26) would need to meet the balance of the fee requirement and are not eligible for part-time study.

Contact us to find out more

If you have any questions about the project, please contact the lead supervisor Dr Marie-Ann Vanginkel (see profile for contact details).

If you have any questions about the funding or application process, please contact DoctoralCollege@brighton.ac.uk.

Guide to making your application

We will only consider complete applications - the application is complete once you have submitted all of the following: 

Your research proposal (max 1000 words). 
Copies of your bachelors and masters certificates, including transcripts (or interim transcripts if not yet completed. 
Copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable). 
Copy of your passport. 
Two references uploaded or requested - one must be an academic reference from your most recent period of study. Both must have been written within the last year.

Read our research proposal guide

To submit your application please follow these steps: 

Click the 'apply online now' button, on the right. 
Select 'register and start a new application', to create your user account. 
Once you are logged in, select 'apply to a new course'. 
Select the type of course 'research degree'. 
Select mode of study 'full-time' or 'part-time'. 
Select 'Doctoral College'. 
Select 'Mechanistic Studies of Pasta’
Click 'apply'.

You will now be able to complete the online application form. 

Apply online now