Haemoelasticity and Biomechanics of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA)

About the Project

The progression and rupture risk of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) are governed by a complex interplay between blood flow dynamics and the mechanical properties of the aortic wall. Much like aeroelastic structures in engineering, the aorta is a compliant, deformable vessel that responds dynamically to pulsatile hemodynamic loads. The resulting haemoelastic interactions, the coupling between fluid forces and wall deformation, dictate stress distributions, growth patterns, and eventual failure.

Unlike rigid pipes, the aortic wall exhibits nonlinear elasticity, anisotropic behavior, and viscoelasticity. Localized weakening or geometric irregularities amplify the fluid-structure coupling, leading to abnormal wall strains, vortical blood flow patterns, and regions of elevated rupture risk. Despite being a major cardiovascular concern worldwide, a predictive, mechanistic understanding of AAA progression through haemoelastic modelling remains limited.

Understanding the haemoelastic response of AAAs is critical not only for risk assessment and rupture prediction, but also for:

• Optimizing stent graft design and endovascular repair strategies.
• Personalizing clinical monitoring through computational models.
• Understanding mechanobiological triggers for aneurysm growth and remodeling.

This research aims to develop a comprehensive theoretical and computational framework for analyzing the coupled dynamics of blood flow and aortic wall deformation, providing predictive insights into AAA behavior under physiological and pathological conditions.

Objectives for this project

1. Develop mathematical and computational models capturing the coupled dynamics of pulsatile blood flow and aneurysmal wall deformation.
2. Quantify the influence of structural and material properties, including wall stiffness, wall thickness, anisotropy, and viscoelasticity, on stress distribution, growth, and rupture risk.
3. (c) Explore strategies for optimizing medical interventions, such as stent graft placement and aneurysm repair techniques, to enhance stability and reduce rupture likelihood.
4. (d) Using our prior work on simulations of patient-specific haemodynamics, provide mechanistic insight into AAA progression, enabling better clinical decision-making and guiding future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Funding

Excellent candidates will be nominated for competence-based faculty funding. The funding covers tuition fees and provides a tax free stipend based on the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26). We expect the stipend to increase each year. The start date is October 2026.

For more information, and funding deadlines please visit our FSE Funding home page. The supervisor will be able to advise you on specific scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

Self funded students are welcome to apply.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert will be removed once the position has been filled.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

How to apply

Apply online through our website: https://uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

When applying, you’ll need to specify the full name of this project, the name of your supervisor, if you already having funding or if you wish to be considered for available funding through the university, details of your previous study, and names and contact details of two referees.

Your application will not be processed without all of the required documents submitted at the time of application, and we cannot accept responsibility for late or missed deadlines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

After you have applied you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it).
• Contact details for two referees (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• English Language certificate (if applicable)

If you have any questions about making an application, please contact our admissions team by emailing FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk.