Closed-Loop Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation for Treating Hypertension in Pregnancy

About the Project

Project Title: Closed-Loop Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulation for Treating Hypertension in Pregnancy (25006)

Supervisors: Primary Supervisor: Dr Harriet Lea-Banks (Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, UCL; UCL Centre for Advanced Biomedical Imaging) harriet.lea-banks@ucl.ac.uk

Subsidiary Supervisors: Dr Elly Martin (Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, UCL), Dr Owen Vaughan (EGA Institute for Women’s Health, UCL)

A fully funded 4-year PhD studentship beginning October 2026 is available in the UCL Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering.

Funding covers Home Fees (£6,215 in 2025/26) and a tax-free Stipend at the UCL minimum stipend rate (£22,780 in 2025/26).

Project Background

Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a non-invasive technology that can target deep brain structures without surgery. The team has developed tiny biocompatible nanodroplets that emit a detectable acoustic signal at a precise pressure threshold for real-time pressure readout.

The project targets pre-eclampsia by using FUS neuromodulation on the periaqueductal grey (PAG) to reduce blood pressure without drugs or surgery.

Research Aims

Phase 1: Skull characterisation and beam planning.

Phase 2: Nanodroplet fabrication and acoustic calibration.

Phase 3: Safety and efficacy in a pre-eclampsia model.

Person Specification & Requirements

• Open to Home Fee-paying candidates only.
• Strong background in physics, engineering, or closely related quantitative discipline.
• UK (or international equivalent) first or upper-second class Bachelor’s degree.