The Waite Hydrocephalus Research Student Bursary

Through the generosity and support of the Waite family to SRHSB, the Waite Hydrocephalus Research Student Bursary 2025 will offer support to students undertaking research projects in the areas of hydrocephalus and/or spina bifida, expected to be conducted over the summer vacation period. Previous research projects supported by the Waite Hydrocephalus Research Student Bursary are detailed below.

Waite Hydrocephalus Research Student Bursary Competition Awardees 2024

    • Fabio Rossi – Folate status in human neonatal hydrocephalus: analysis of a library of CSF samples (Supervisor: Dr Jaleel Miyan, University of Manchester, UK)
    • Amy Huang – Computational fluid dynamics simulation on the optimization of self-cleaning ventricular catheter design (Supervisor: Prof Joanna Aizenberg, Harvard University, USA)

    Waite Hydrocephalus Research Student Bursary Competition Awardees 2023

    • Tooba Asif – Investigating the Role of Folate Transporters in the Development of Spina Bifida (Supervisor: Dr Naila Naz, National University of Science and Technology, Pakistan)
    • Laiba Taufiq – Molecular Investigation of the Association between Folate Enzyme Mutation (MTHFR) and Hydrocephalus Disorder (Supervisor: Dr Naila Naz, National University of Science and Technology, Pakistan)
    • Adithi Randeni – Composition of CSF in Hydrocephalus (Supervisor: Dr. Satish Krishnamurthy, Upstate Medical University, USA)
    • Joya Sims – Effects of hypoxia on AQP expression, CSF drainage and cerebral folate metabolism (Supervisors: Dr Jaleel Miyan, University of Manchester, UK and Prof Miriam Echevarria Irusta University of Seville, Spain)

    Further information and details of the Waite Hydrocephalus Research Student Bursary and application form are below.

    PURPOSE

    • To promote interdisciplinary research into hydrocephalus and spina bifida aligned with the research interests of SRHSB.
    • To advance knowledge in the field of hydrocephalus and spina bifida research.
    • To stimulate interest and gain experience in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), hydrocephalus and spina bifida research of all kinds.
    • To support healthcare professionals, students and researchers of multiple disciplines to gain new skills.
    • To raise awareness of SRHSB, its mission, aims and objectives.

    APPLICATIONS PROCEDURE

    Applications will only be accepted using an application form available on the SRHSB website to include:

    • Applicant details and personal statement (150 words)
    • Project proposal (500 words)
    • Expected project outcomes (100 words)
    • Supervisor statement on mentoring and future prospective contributions to field (150 words)

    Applications will only be accepted from named student applicants with supporting project supervisors.

    Students unable to identify appropriate supervisors may contact the Society for suggestions appropriate to their intended summer location.

    Download the application form

    Submission is now open, with an extended application submission deadline of Wednesday, April 30th 2025.

    APPLICATION SCOPE​

    Students should be completing their penultimate year of undergraduate study so that the summer project may transition into a final year honours project (e.g. as for UK or other equivalent degree courses) and give a potential for onward hydrocephalus/spina bifida research towards a Master’s or PhD project. Medical students interested in clinical research are also encouraged to apply, as are students in health sciences and social sciences.

    Student bursaries will be available annually in each of UK, USA, EU, Africa, Asia, or rest of world. UK, USA, EU principal investigators can partner with colleagues in developing countries to facilitate projects, as well as encourage student experience, in those locations.

    There will be no restrictions on project types as long as this falls within the broad remit of hydrocephalus/spina bifida research. Examples might include: addressing high incidence areas, teaching and learning about prevention, treatment and outcomes etc., capitalising on local clinical samples and subtypes to explore distinctions in conditions, promotion of the partnering of clinicians, healthcare professionals and scientists to establish novel research projects, issues with disabilities and support, implementing connectivity to SSBA and SHINE through social media, outreach projects to raise awareness of spina bifida/hydrocephalus, partnering people with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus across the globe with each other, and with researchers.

    BURSARY AWARDS

    Each student bursary will be limited to the maximum amount of £2000.00, to allow support for the project duration of 8-10 weeks maximum, with dates to fall within the summer student vacation period and to be agreed and confirmed by the project Supervisor.

    The successful Bursary recipients will be expected to present their projects, data and outcomes at the 2026 annual meeting of the SRHSB, likely to be held at a UK venue (details and dates to be confirmed). It is also a condition that successful Bursary recipients will allow SRHSB to publicise details of their award.

    Applications will be scored by the SRHSB Executive Committee members or such experts as agreed by the Committee as external assessors.