Longitudinal coronary plaque phenotyping and precision prevention in asymptomatic adults

About the research project

Background

Preventive treatment in people without symptoms is usually guided by clinical risk scores and coronary artery calcium (CAC). However, CAC does not show non-calcified plaque, plaque composition or coronary narrowing. Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) provides this information, but routine CCTA screening is unlikely to be efficient or feasible. The central clinical question is therefore not whether CCTA detects more disease, but in whom that additional information identifies adverse disease trajectories or improves preventive management. 

Overall Aim

This project will use longitudinal data from asymptomatic adults with repeated coronary CT scans to determine when clinical risk assessment and CAC misclassify subclinical coronary atherosclerosis, how CCTA-defined disease evolves, and whether imaging-guided prevention alters adverse plaque progression.

Primary Hypotheses

1. Among asymptomatic adults, a CCTA-defined discordant phenotype - characterised by greater total and non-calcified coronary plaque burden than expected from clinical risk assessment and CAC - will be associated with greater five-year plaque progression and development of adverse plaque features, independent of preventive treatment and achieved LDL cholesterol.
2. The effect of CAC-guided preventive management on non-calcified plaque progression will differ according to baseline CCTA-defined plaque discordance, with the greatest treatment benefit anticipated among participants with greater plaque burden than expected from their clinical risk and CAC.

SIGNIFICANCE AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES

This PhD will move beyond simply showing that CCTA detects additional plaque. It will define when clinical risk and CAC are sufficient, when a CAC=0 result provides false reassurance, and whether additional CCTA information identifies a different response to a preventive strategy/treatment. Expected outputs include a risk–anatomy phenotype, evidence on its longitudinal significance, and an RCT-informed estimate of treatment-selection value. The work will support more selective use of CCTA, reduce indiscriminate imaging, and identify at-risk population most appropriate for a future CCTA-guided clinical outcomes trial.

Primary supervisor

Meet Associate Professor Quan Huynh

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years
• a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
• a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Associate Professor Quan Huynh to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 1 October 2026.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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