PhD Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS 2026). Research Project: Tumour-microplastic interaction and their role in tumour growth kinetics

About the Project

The presence of microplastics within the tumour microenvironment (TME) has been discovered recently, with studies demonstrating a tendency for these microplastics to accumulate in the non-proliferating regions of the tumour. This was hypothesised to be due to the redistribution of the microparticles during cell division. The presence of microplastics within the TME may also alter the TME mechanical properties, which influences not only the tumour growth rate, but may also dictate the translocation of microplastics during tumour growth. This raises questions on the effects of microplastic within the TME and their role on tumour growth kinetics. This project addresses these questions using a combined in vitro and in silico studies. Outcomes from this project have the potential to provide critical information on how microplastics influence cancer initiation and progression. This can facilitate the development of more effective cancer therapeutic strategies.

This project is part of Monash University Malaysia’s Graduate Research Thematic Cluster, Integrated Strategies in Microplastics Research

We seek candidates with a background in mechanical engineering or a related discipline to work on this multidisciplinary research. Candidates with prior experience in (i) microfluidics, (ii) 3D printing and/or (iii) computational mechanics will be prioritised.

Candidates must be able to work effectively in a group and can communicate their findings to research collaborators of different background.

For enquiries, please contact Assoc. Professor Ooi Ean Hin

For more information about this project, please visit our GEMS website.

How to Apply

It is suggested that you first contact the main supervisor and provide them with your academic background and achievements to determine whether you are a 'fit' for this research topic.

If you feel you are a good fit, submit your application here and ensure that you enter the same GEMS research topic as advertised on this webpage. To review the application requirements, please refer to our application submission guide. When submitting your application, please select the Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS). More information about GEMS is available here.

Funding Notes

The Global Excellence and Mobility Scholarship (GEMS), funded by Monash University Malaysia, features regional mobility and is awarded to highly qualified students seeking to work on projects of regional and global relevance.

Recipients of GEMS will be funded for an immersive year in either Monash University Australia, Monash University Indonesia, or the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay of up to 9 months and have access to Monash University’s global network of research expertise and infrastructure during their candidature period.

Eligibility

To be eligible for GEMS, you must possess a minimum academic qualification of First Class Honours (H1) or its equivalence (H1E) recognised by Monash University Malaysia and satisfy the English language requirements.