I graduated from the University of Bedfordshire with a 1st class honours degree in Sport and Exercise Science in 2014. Following this, I studied for an MSc in Research in Exercise Physiology at the same institution, investigating the influence of various types of exercise training on resting and exercise cardiac function by using novel methods of echocardiography. I continued in this line of research by undertaking a PhD at the University of the West of Scotland with a principal focus of ageing, exercise training and cardiac function, which I completed in 2019.
I have presented some of my work at national and international conferences and published in journals such as Sports Medicine, Echocardiography, European Journal of Applied Physiology and European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. Beyond cardiac physiology, I have a global interest in cardiovascular science, health and performance among research topics which include:
- Vascular health and function
- Paediatric Physiology and Adaptation
- High-intensity interval training
- Golf and Health
Within these areas, I have internal and external collaborations with ongoing research and proposed future projects. I joined York St. John University in November 2018, where I am currently a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Physiology and the course lead for BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science.
As the course lead for BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, I predominately teach on that programme from 1st year to 3rd year undergraduate, in addition to our integrated master's programme. I teach on specialist modules aligned with exercise science and physiology at undergraduate level. Some of the modules include:
- Working in Sport and Exercise
- Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Physiology
- Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology
- Interdisciplinary working in Sport, Exercise and Physical Education
In 2021, I achieved my Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) status. At postgraduate level, I currently supervise three PhD students.
I am an active researcher, and a member of the Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health (PAtCH) research group at York St. John University.
The main focus of my research to date has been within the field of cardiac physiology. My research has centred around using conventional and novel ultrasound techniques to asses the structure and function of the heart across the age spectrum. In particular, I am interested in how chronic exercise training in young and older individuals alters the structure and function of the heart and whether exercise can be a useful mitigate of the age related declines in heart functioning. In addition, I have investigated the cardiac responses during acute bouts of exercise stress by assessing the associated changes during aerobic and resistance types of exercise.
My other research interest and publications include the understanding of adolescent soccer training on exercise physiology and more recently, the influence of golf and gold caddying on both physical and mental wellbeing and the impact of the menopause on physical activity.
I have presented my research at national and international conferences and also been invited to discuss my work at institutions with UK and Europe.
Recent publications
I am a Member of the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (MCASES).
I have presented at national, international and internal conferences including Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), Performance Sports Science and European College of Sport Science (ECSS). I am a review editor for Frontiers in Physiology and I have been invited to peer-review articles for journals including AJP, Cardiology in the young, Biology of Sport and Internal and Emergency Medicine.
