Vitamin D Deficiency, Obesity and Breast Cancer Risk

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in bone health and has been associated with reduced risk of several cancers, including breast cancer. However, the relationship between vitamin D status, obesity, and breast cancer risk remains complex and poorly understood. Obesity is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women, and is also associated with lower vitamin D status due to sequestration in adipose tissue. Previous studies have examined vitamin D and breast cancer risk independently, but the interaction between vitamin D status, obesity, and breast cancer outcomes has not been comprehensively investigated. This significant knowledge gap will be addressed through a comprehensive multi-component study including: (1) a longitudinal study examining the relationship between vitamin D status, obesity markers, and breast cancer risk over time; (2) a pilot human study assessing vitamin D status and obesity, and (3) cell culture work to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the vitamin D-obesity-breast cancer relationship. This project will provide greater understanding of the complex interactions between vitamin D, obesity, and breast cancer risk. It addresses a significant knowledge gap in breast cancer prevention, by facilitating appropriate guidance on vitamin D status and obesity management for breast cancer risk reduction.

<p paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{113}" paraid="1539768372"><strong>You must contact the proposed supervisor for this project before you make a formal application. </strong></p> <p paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{119}" paraid="1895649428">A formal application for research degree study should then be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN: </p> <ul> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{125}" paraid="1717955186">For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’. </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{131}" paraid="1941411394">The admission year for this project is 2026/27 Academic Year.   </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{137}" paraid="1823221166">You will need to select your ‘Planned Course of Study’ from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select ‘PhD Food Science and Nutrition Full-time’.   </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{143}" paraid="754352421">The project start date for this project is October 2026, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research. </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{149}" paraid="202248598">Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is ‘Vitamin D Deficiency, obesity and breast cancer risk’ as well as <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/staff/10316/dr-sarah-jing-guo">Dr Sarah Jing Guo</a> as your proposed supervisor. </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{155}" paraid="812110430">If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below). </p> <p paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{161}" paraid="1891516213">More information on how to apply is available on our website <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">here</a>. You will need to provide copies of the following documents: </p> <ul> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{172}" paraid="1858125611">a personal statement for this project, which outlines your interest in the project, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project</li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{178}" paraid="877561217">your CV </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{184}" paraid="1448270499">certificates and transcripts of all academic qualifications </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{190}" paraid="932080590">English language qualification certificates </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{196}" paraid="1315959137">visa and immigration documents, if applicable </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{202}" paraid="226045984">funding information – sources of funding that you are applying for (e.g. government scholarship), or if you are able to pay your own fees and maintenance  </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{208}" paraid="1308150127"><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability. </em></p>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline.

For start dates from September 2026, the minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study in the School of Food Science and Nutrition is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p paraeid="{3d04e34c-3522-40f3-8630-c6f14cbc41d0}{143}" paraid="557166827"><strong>This is not a funded project, but you can apply for funding separately. Self-funding students are also welcome to apply. </strong></p> <p paraeid="{3d04e34c-3522-40f3-8630-c6f14cbc41d0}{149}" paraid="1936376053"><strong>Please note that in addition to the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-fees/doc/research-degrees-fees" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">tuition fee</a> for the programme there will also be a <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-fees/doc/postgraduate-research-bench-policy" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">bench fee</a> of £10,000 per year for this project.   </strong></p> <p paraeid="{3d04e34c-3522-40f3-8630-c6f14cbc41d0}{171}" paraid="1993701339">Funding opportunities for Home students – The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/209-leeds-doctoral-scholarships-2026" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Leeds Doctoral Scholarship</a> and <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/234-leeds-opportunity-research-scholarship-2026" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship</a> are available to UK applicants.  <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds. </p> <p paraeid="{3d04e34c-3522-40f3-8630-c6f14cbc41d0}{194}" paraid="629442306">Funding opportunities for International students –The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/48-china-scholarship-council-university-of-leeds-scholarships-2021" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">China Scholarship Council - University of Leeds Scholarship</a> is available to nationals of China. <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds. </p>

<p>For further information regarding the project, please contact Dr Sarah Jing Guo by email (<a href="mailto:s.j.guo@leeds.ac.uk">s.j.guo@leeds.ac.uk</a>). You must contact Sarah before making a formal application.</p>