Dr Arkoprovo Paul

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

a.paul2@aston.ac.uk

School of Psychology, Health and Clinical Sciences, Aston University

Scientific Background

Research Interests

My research focuses on engineering human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived 3D brain models, including organoids and assembloids, to understand how different brain cells come together to form functional circuits during development. I am interested in defining how these cells and circuits process and store information, and seek to uncover the biological principles underlying neuronal network computation, learning and memory in healthy and neurological conditions.

Scientific Inspiration

Prof Madeline Lancaster (Cambridge) and Prof Sergiu Pa葯ca (Stanford), whose pioneering work on human iPSC derived brain organoids and assembloids has transformed how human brain development can be studied in the laboratory.

Research Groups

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Supportive, collaborative and student-centred.

Provision of Training

I will provide structured, hands-on training in all experimental and data analysis methods required for the project, so prior experience with these specific techniques is not essential; where appropriate, this will be complemented by specialist training and mentoring support from postdoctoral researchers, senior PhD students and collaborators within and beyond Aston. As the student gains confidence, I will progressively support them to design experiments, analyse data and solve problems independently, guided by personalised training, development plan and regular mentoring.

Progression Monitoring and Management

We will discuss and set out clear milestones and short-term goals in the beginning, reviewing progress, data and training needs through weekly one-to one meetings arranged flexibly and fortnightly group meetings. I will encourage and support you to develop your own scientific thinking by shaping research questions, refining methods and taking ownership of written work, while remaining available to provide guidance and support for both the PhD project and your wider professional and development goals.

Communication

I encourage open and respectful communication through regular meetings, informal discussions through emails or Teams or Whatsapp. Students should feel comfortable raising questions or concerns affecting their progress or wellbeing. I aim to respond promptly during working hours without expecting replies outside normal working hours. I also support flexible working, giving students the freedom and independence to plan and manage their own work while coordinating time-sensitive experiments and shared facilities in a friendly collaborative team environment.

Meetings

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me at least once per week. These meetings will be a mixture of face-to-face and via video chat or telephone. I am usually contactable for an instant response 3 or 4 days per week.

Work Patterns

Certain tasks in my lab need to occur at set times, and students need to be able to commit to a rota/timetable shared with other members of the team.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week's notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5,000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Primary supervisor for:

Project Title

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

Project Title

Secondary Supervisor(s):

University of Registration:

BBSRC Research Themes:

Sustainable Agriculture and Food (Animal Health and Welfare, Microbial Food Safety, Plant and Crop Science)
Renewable Resources and Clean Growth (Bio-energy, Industrial Biotechnology)
Understanding the Rules of Life (Immunology, Microbiology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, Plant Science, Soil Science, Stem Cells, Structural Biology, Systems Biology)
Integrated Understanding of Health (Ageing, Diet and Health, Pharmaceuticals, Regenerative Biology)

Project Outline

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Sed ornare efficitur tortor, rhoncus pharetra diam feugiat eu. Etiam egestas mi sem, sit amet dignissim magna interdum eu. Donec sollicitudin volutpat ex id pharetra. Etiam non ipsum eu urna tempor feugiat in sit amet nunc. Vestibulum ut eros ante. Phasellus ultrices augue quis pellentesque laoreet. Duis viverra, metus ac venenatis placerat, lacus ipsum suscipit odio, non aliquam sapien sem in libero. Quisque maximus purus sit amet varius consequat. Sed ullamcorper nulla a lectus efficitur, eu elementum arcu semper. Nulla facilisi. Mauris fringilla erat neque, at fermentum ex sagittis ut. Suspendisse at tempor velit. Nullam tincidunt lectus ut magna volutpat tempus. Praesent tincidunt consectetur lacus ut lacinia. Pellentesque at sapien orci. Sed massa urna, semper nec leo vitae, bibendum maximus dui.

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CASE Project Title

See the Industrial Collaboration PhD Studentships page to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

CASE: Project Title

University of Registration:

Non-academic partner:

Secondary Supervisor(s):

Project Outline

Application

Deadline: 26 November 2026.

To apply for a CASE studentship, please check your eligibility and complete the MIBTP application process.

Please ensure that you:

Apply directly to University
Clearly state you are applying for a CASE project and stipulate the project title
Please also complete the online ED&I formLink opens in a new window

Co-supervisor on a project / projects with supervisor name + link.

天美传媒

Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership