Investigating the effects of grazing biosolids fertilised pasture on ruminant gastrointestinal health and efficiency.
Supervisors
Dr Rheinallt Jones, University of Glasgow
Dr Michelle Bellingham, University of Glasgow
Dr Eulyn Pagaling, Hutton Institute
Summary
This is a highly interdisciplinary project tackling the critical topics of animal and environmental health. It will investigate how the sustainable approach of using sewage sludge biosolids as an agricultural fertiliser affects the gastrointestinal system (health and function) of grazing ruminants (sheep) through in-vitro gastrointestinal modelling and microbiome analysis. It will go on to investigate how the application of biosolids to pasture affects the soil microbiome and how waste from sheep grazing these pastures may pose a risk to non-biosolid fertilised fields.
The student will learn a diverse range of skills stemming from animal and environmental science. These will include the collection and storage of GIT tissue and content, pasture, and soil samples. They will also learn a range of skills in the laboratory, including molecular (eDNA) methods, analytical chemistry techniques (nutrients and metabolites) and in-vitro gastrointestinal modelling. Students will learn a variety of statistical approaches, including microbiome bioinformatic and time-series analysis. All researchers have active relationships with industry and government, to which the student will be exposed and would be encouraged to participate. Both organisations also offer a range of training modules for PhD students to aid professional development, such as presentation skills, scientific writing, career management, and others.