PhD Studentship

I'm applying a PhD studentship. I would kindly request that you critique my write-up. It is required in sections as below. Thanks.

Project background and methods:
(I need to provide project background of my last project: NOTE: It is about an incomplete research project(thesis))
(MAX 250 words)

Impact of genotype imputation on heterogeneity and power of meta-analysis study is still not well understood. A recent work by XXXXXX suggests that genotype uncertainty leads to an increase in heterogeneity in meta-analysis. As a consequence, imputation does not necessarily increase the detection power. Though contrary to expectation, their remark is consistent within the research as only three study samples are considered in the meta-analysis. Thus, the objective of our research is to investigate the impact of genotype imputation on meta-analysis with imputed SNPs in greater detail. A comparison of performance between meta-analysis and mega-analysis will is also assessed.
Most meta-analyses are based on one of the two statistical models, the fixed effects model or the random effects model. Our focus is on a single SNP that is fully typed in a small number of study samples, but is imputed in others. We are conducting extensive simulations to assess how detection power of meta-analysis changes with the number and proportion of imputation based studies included in the meta-analysis. At the same time, we are considering different uncertainty levels of the genotype. Dirichlet process is used to induce uncertainty in the genotypes.
In order to obtain the empirical power, Monte Carlo simulations are performed for each meta-analysis study. Simulations and meta-analyisis are done using R without any other meta-analysis package.

Reference:
XXXXXX

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Results and conclusion:
(MAX 250 words)

In line with XXXXXX, heterogeneity increases with genotype uncertainty and proportion of imputation based studies. In some cases, the results from data simulated with an underlying fixed effects model show a significant heterogeneity between the studies. As for the random effects model data, the quantity of heterogeneity increases. Consequently, a reduction of power is observed in both models. However, we anticipate an increase in detection power as the number of study samples increases in the meta-analysis. Thus, it is of our central interest to determine how these opposite effects behave under various scenarios of meta-analysis. An understanding of impact of genotype imputation on meta-analysis is important in increasing of the power of the test of a research based on multiple studies.
NOTE: This is an ongoing research. Hopefully, I will get it done by end of May this year. My advisor and I are looking forward to publish the same once completed.

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Describe your research interests and aspirations in general :
(MAX 500 words)

During the period of my attachment with XXX in 20XX, I developed interest in medical research despite the fact that my understanding of the field was negligible. My colleagues at the research facility had the enviable opportunity of positively impacting the lives of Kenyans suffering from tuberculosis. I felt the urge to be part of such kind of a team in future. Consequently, I started developing my skills in statistical research with bias in medical related research. Over-time, I have developed interest in meta-analysis, statistical genetics and spatial statistics. Theses fields of statistics are largely flexible since they can incorporate parametric and non-parametric methods, Bayesian and frequentist statistical approaches. In my attempt to expand my knowledge in these fields and connect them to medical research, I chose a master thesis advisor, Dr. X X X, who has deep interests specifically in statistical genetics and biostatistics in general. We have managed to develop a meta-analysis research topic "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX". The research on the same is currently in progress.
To get an in depth understanding of statistical genetics and to a further extent population genetics, I took up a course in Introduction to Human Genetics in early 20XX. In this course, population genetics, genetic linkage, complex human traits were discussed to my understanding. As for spatial statistics, this is a field I have a desire to develop. This is majorly because of passion I have for geography, a subject that was easy for me to comprehend and excel in while in high school. I do therefore have an urge to incorporate my passion with my statistical skills.
Lastly, my goal is to develop sound computational and analytical skills in the aforementioned fields of statistics. With these skills, I can be part of a research team that seeks to demystify the complex African genetic diversity. This will help towards understanding the diseases that plague region.

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Describe your research interests and aspirations in relation to the studentship you have chosen:
(MAX 500 words)

In my little research on Dr. X X. I found that he is involved in study of heterogeneity of malaria transmission study across Africa and Indonesia. Since there are several regions in the study, my knowledge of meta-analysis would come handy in combining and analyzing the huge historical data from these regions. This will also give me a real life experience in working with meta-data and several study summaries. Furthermore, the study involves genotyping of the malaria parasites that will help in designing interventions against transmission hotspots. This process would be of great importance to me as it will provide an opportunity of learning how to genotype, analyze and make inferences on genetic data. Since the study that the studentship is based involves spatial data, I would have the best opportunity of learning spatial statistics and applying the same at the same time. Working with Dr. X, Dr. X X and the teams involved in the study, will nurture me to be an internationally acclaimed researcher. As for academics, the studentship would provide an opportunity of attaining the highest academic award in fields of my greatest interest and also a marvellous chance of helping the people in the developing world. Therefore, I believe the opportunity will help develop my skills in research since it puts a lot of emphasis on the same as well as broaden my understanding of medical statistics.

Looking forward to hearing from you guys soonest.