Updated PhD Research Project Plan

In the earlier time line was it looked at doing all the experiments one after the other, then all the statistical analysis would follow and finally the thesis chapters would be written. The problem with this process is you will not know if some of the experimental runs have failed until much later down the track when you are doing the statistical analysis.

The changes made to the project plan now group each experiment as a self contained unit, doing the experimental run then the analysis for that run to find out how the results turned out. If the run was a success the analysis can be used to write up the chapter and journal paper for the thesis. In this way the thesis is progress as the experiments are done and hopefully each experiment results in both a published paper and completed thesis chapter.

The benefit of this is that I do not have to strain my memory at the end to think back to when I did the experiments to create the thesis chapters. As they are done as I progress the data, ideas and conclusions should be fresh and accurate.

Detailed PhD Research Plan (click to enlarge)

A summary version of the above detailed version will be used for the confirmation text.

Summary PhD Research Plan (click to enlarge)

PhD project plan time line

Started to work on an estimated project plan and based on my Honours experience with Seahorse analysis, we hydrated the well plate the day before, then prepared the sample and ran the test the following day. So each run essentially took 2 days. 

When each of the five studies are placed into a project time line it looks as if the experimental section could be completed by the December 2020. However this is based on the assumption that my well plate designs for the OXPHOS experiments will work and we can get most of the samples accomodated in a few XFe-96 plate runs, which I have reservation s about.

It will be necessary to discuss the OXPHOS runs with Dr Binger to get her guidance on setting up the well plate cartridge layouts. At this stage any material changes to the layout may significantly change the budget and time line, particularly if many more experiments are needed.

The initial draft time line which starts 1/7/2019 and completed on 12/9/2022 which is close to the 3.5 years the University now specifies for completion of a PhD.

Next step is to review the tasks and duration with Professor Crewther and Dr. Nina Riddell who are my supervisors.