Medical Employment Agency New Zealand & United Kingdom, Medical Staffing International

NZSTA/Medical Staffing International Doctoral Award 2007

A systematic study to reveal the secrets of swallowing.

Swallowing disorders can radically impact the quality of life: not just nutritionally, but also socially. Imagine not being able to safely swallow - and not being able to enjoy the simple pleasure of having a drink or meal with friends.

It was this realisation during practical hospital placements in his native Germany and in the US which prompted the winner of this year’s NZSTA/Medical Staffing International Doctoral Award, Sebastian Doeltgen, to embrace dysphagia as his field of research.

Two years into his PhD at the University of Canterbury, Sebastian is based both at the Department of Communication Disorders and the Van der Veer Institute for Parkinson’s and Brain Research in Christchurch, and is part of the University of Canterbury Swallowing Rehabilitation Research Lab Group. His study, “The influence of neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the neural substrates of swallowing” aims to identify whether different variables of electrical stimulation have differential effects on how the brain controls swallowing. There are many unknown factors in this field, and there haven’t been many systematic studies on this – until now.

Currently at the data collection stage, Sebastian comments: “It’s good to see some first results come in and to know that ultimately this research might increase dysphagic patients’ quality of life. The studies are very exciting, and it’s great to be part of a cutting edge research programme.”

It’s not without its problems though. “The most challenging part is that you never know what kind of problem is going to appear just after you’ve solved the last one” says Sebastian.”

So what are Sebastian’s future aspirations? If all goes to plan, he’ll be handing in his thesis in 2009. After that, the world will be his oyster: “I’d like to continue working in the academic setting: lecturing and researching would be a great thing to do. Part of me would also like to broaden my clinical skills. I wouldn’t mind staying in the southern hemisphere, and I love living in New Zealand - the people are so open-minded and open-hearted.”

Winning this Award will enable Sebastian to attend this year’s Satellite Meeting of the International Brain Research Organization’s (IBRO) World Congress of Neuroscience “Motor Control at the Top End” in Darwin.

“I’m very honoured to have been given this Award” says Sebastian, “and I’d like to extend my sincerest thanks to NZSTA and Medical Staffing International. I’d also like to thank my supervisors Dr Maggie-Lee Huckabee and Associate Prof John Dalrymple-Alford for their continuous support and encouragement. The discussions with staff and fellow students have also been very inspiring and motivating.”

Kirsten Thomforde of Medical Staffing International comments “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to assist someone as dedicated as Sebastian in his career. This is what these Awards are about, to recognise excellence and reward those who are striving to make a real difference.”

For more information about the NZSTA/Medical Staffing International Doctoral Award >>

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