NES PhD Studentship Project
Ishaa Sivan – 25 February 2026
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a common and often burdensome condition affecting people both in the UK and globally. For many individuals, symptoms are influenced by everyday environmental factors, including sunlight, weather patterns and other routine exposures. This PhD project explores the dual role of sunlight and environmental exposures in people living with atopic dermatitis, with the aim of generating evidence that can help inform and empower individuals to make confident, informed decisions about their skin health.
While studying at the University of Oxford, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the UK Health Security Agency through the Optical Radiation Effects Group and the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Radiation Threats and Hazards. This work deepened my understanding of the dual nature of ultraviolet (UV) radiation as both a potential health risk and a therapeutic tool, and how its effects can vary significantly depending on context and individual factors.
Building on this experience, exploring the impact of sunlight and other environmental exposures in people living with atopic dermatitis felt like a natural progression. Eczema can be significantly influenced by sun exposure, seasonal and weather changes, environmental conditions and lifestyle factors, yet there remains much to understand about how these elements interact with individual skin responses.
With a strong interest in translational, clinically relevant research and the growing field of digital health, this project brings together real-world lived experience with robust scientific investigation. Ultimately, the research seeks to better understand lived experiences of eczema, clarify how environmental exposures influence symptoms, inform practical evidence-based guidance and empower people with atopic dermatitis to make informed choices about their skin health. By bridging research and real-world impact, this work aims to contribute meaningful insights to support those affected by eczema.