Any projects received from potential supervisors will be listed as they arise. Please note that only a few supervisors choose to list their projects here.
Dunedin projects 2026/2027
A leg-up for standing health: Effects of graduated compression stockings and short-cycle pneumatic calf pumps on occupational leg swelling and comfort in clinical staff
Aims
To do a qualitative analysis of clinical staff (participants in the RCT) impressions of stocking and pneumatic calf pump usage while at work.
Methods
We are currently conducting a randomised clinical trial comparing compression stockings with pneumatic calf pumps for clinical staff who report work-related lower limb swelling. An aspect of this study are qualitative interviews of the participants. We will contact participants after completion of all study conditions (calf pumps, compression stockings, control condition) and use a semi-structured interview to explore their impressions of using compression at work. Results will be summarised using thematic analysis, and may be published separately from the main study. This project has ethical and locality approval.
Student role
The student will contact and interview participants (expected n=30). They will summarise and interpret the results by themes.
We will support the student with access to the participants, interview techniques, and analysis/interpretation. If we are also still collecting data for the main study, the student is welcome to join the research team in this and learn more about bioelectrical impedance measurement, shear wave ultrasound scanning, and general clinical research skills.
Supervisor contact
Dr Kari Clifford
Email kari.clifford@otago.ac.nz
Metachronous colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients aged over 75 years
Background
Surveillance colonoscopy has traditionally stopped at age 75. In our previous study we found that surgery between 2020 and 2022 for metachronous colorectal cancer (MCRC) increased from 3% in patients aged <75 to 13% in patients aged ≥ 75. Surgery for MCRC ≥75 resulted in more complications, longer hospital stays, more readmissions and greater cost than in matched patients (age, comorbidities and procedure) having a first operation for CRC. We now wish to collect additional and updated data to help us model the effectiveness of surveillance for patients ≥ 75 who have previously had surgery for colorectal neoplasia.
Aims
- Determine the rate of metachronous CRC in patients ≥ 75 yrs old from 2023-2026 in Health New Zealand Southern
- Document findings of colonoscopy in patients 65 years and older who have had CRC surgery since 2015. This will include documentation of the frequency of colonoscopy, number of polyps, type of polyps and high risk features
Methods
Patients will be identified via the Otago Clinical Audit (OCA) and the Cancer Registry. For Aim 1 patients having surgery from 2023 to 2026 will be reviewed. For Aim 2 colonoscopies in a cohort of patients having surgery between 2015 to 2018 will be reviewed. Surgical and demographic characteristics will be recorded from the OCA and other required details will be documented from the electronic clinical records.
The rate of metachronous CRC <75 and ≥ 75 yrs old will be calculated from the total number of colorectal cancer operations in the respective age groups. The proportion of colonoscopies with high risk features will be identified. Other data will be presented using appropriate summary statistics.
Student role
This project has two parts (Aim 1 and Aim 2), and would suit two students, one for each aim of the study. The student(s) will work with us to collect the data and summarise the results. They will be encouraged to write a draft report for publication.
Our team have a track record of successful, publishable summer studentships. Our projects will have ethical approval before November 2026, and we will support the student in reviewing the literature, collecting the data, analysis, and interpretation. If there is interest in other aspects of colorectal or general surgery, we encourage contacting us with potential project ideas.
Supervisor contacts
Associate Professor John Woodfield
Email john.woodfield@otago.ac.nz
Dr Kari Clifford
Email kari.clifford@otago.ac.nz
Dr Deborah Wright
Email deborah.wright@otago.ac.nz
The impact of total neoadjuvant therapy on colorectal cancer surgery
Background
Since 2002 a treatment for rectal cancer, Total Neoadjuvant Therapy (TNT), has been used in selective patients in Dunedin Hospital. Patients who have a complete response (CR) may be able to avoid rectal cancer surgery.
Aims
- Since total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) was introduced in Te Whatu Ora Southern for rectal cancer (2022), determine:
- Number/rate of rectal cancers
- How many patients with rectal cancer had TNT
- How many patients had a complete response, how many proceeded to surgery, how many patients who entered watch and wait surveillance required surgery at a later date?
- What is the complication rate for rectal cancers?
- Undertake a qualitative survey of surgeons performing rectal cancer surgery after TNT in Te Whatu Ora Southern to understand the perspectives of the changes in surgical difficulty after the advent of TNT
Methods
Patients will be identified via the Otago Clinical Audit (OCA) and the Cancer Registry. We estimate that approximately 120 patients will be eligible for analysis. Surgical and demographic characteristics will be recorded from the OCA and other required details will be documented from the electronic clinical records.
A semi-structured interview will be used to explore surgeon and nurse specialist impressions of how TNT has changed their surgical practice. Results will be summarised using thematic analysis.
Other data will be presented using appropriate summary statistics.
Student role
The student will work with us to collect the data and summarise the results. The student will contact and interview participant surgeons and nurse specialists (expected n=5). They will summarise and interpret the qualitative results by themes.
We will support the student with access to the participants, interview techniques, and analysis/interpretation. They will be encouraged to write a draft report for publication.
Our team have a track record of successful, publishable summer studentships. Our projects will have ethical approval before November 2026, and we will support the student in reviewing the literature, collecting the data, analysis, and interpretation. If there is interest in other aspects of colorectal or general surgery, we encourage contacting us with potential project ideas.
Supervisor contacts
Associate Professor John Woodfield
Email john.woodfield@otago.ac.nz
Dr Kari Clifford
Email kari.clifford@otago.ac.nz