Briefly, tell us about your background and experience up to this point?
For the last 10 years I’ve been focused on understanding the human psychophysiological responses to hyperthermia and environmental heat exposure. My lab conducts studies to better understand the integrative physiological response to heat exposure. What populations are most at risk? How do diseases and prescription medications modify that risk? And what can we do about it if we don’t adopt air conditioning on a mass scale?
I was a postdoctoral fellow at Loughborough University for 4 years, working with Prof George Havenith. Here, I produced empirical models for the loss in labour capacity with heat and climate change. Our models are now widely used to predict global economic damage with climate change. This post was followed by a 3-year postdoctoral fellowship at UT Southwestern Medical Centre in Dallas, Texas. Here, I worked with Prof Craig Crandall to determine the cardiac effects of heat exposure in clinical populations and in older people.
What is a typical day at King’s like for you?
As with most academics, I’m fortunate that there is very little day to day repetition. In Semester 2, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed leading a new module on our Sport and Exercise Medical Sciences course, focused on the physiological adaptations to exercise training. Currently, I am planning a summer project with three of our excellent MSc in Human and Applied Physiology students. I am busy writing grant applications and research papers with colleagues from King’s and those from my prior postdoctoral fellowships.
Who inspires you most and why?
In my personal life, my parents have inspired me for as long as I can remember. They have quite different personalities, but they both have the exact qualities you need to be inspired to work hard, but at the same time maintain empathy and being grounded. Academically, there are so many people to choose from, even just at King’s. Everyone in the Centre for Human and Applied Physiological Sciences (CHAPS) is so impressive and a joy to work with.
What is something positive that happened to you in 2023?
2023 was a really exciting year and full of change. My girlfriend Olivia and I moved in together and she subsequently moved to the UK with me (along with our 3.5 lb teacup chihuahua, Dale). August marked the end of a wonderful 7-year postdoc career and returning home to my friends and family in the UK. I started at King’s in September, and it’s been a fantastic experience so far. I underestimated quite how much I’d enjoy teaching, it’s one of the most fun aspects of the job, and they (sometimes inadvertently) give you great research ideas!
What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
Practically, I’m excited to live closer to Guy’s campus as the commute is nearly 2 hours at present! I’m VERY excited to start data collection for the summer MSc projects. I have to thank Professor James Clark for helping renovate the Controlled Environments Laboratory based in CHAPS. I’m very excited to start the first of many exciting projects in this facility and I’m incredibly grateful to have access to it!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
I spent over a decade of my life competing in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). It’s not to everyone’s taste, but it’s undeniable that it’s a very difficult sport to be successful in, mentally and physically. While it’s now a past chapter, I’m still very proud of what I achieved in the sport and the life lessons it taught me. I’m also very proud that (so far!) I’ve enjoyed a successful academic career. You never know what the future holds, but growing up, I was certainly NOT gifted academically, but I’m happy to be an example that passion and curiosity is more important than your ability to take a test, at least in research!
QUICK-FIRE:
Favourite season: Spring
Favourite book: A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
Favourite cuisine: My Parent’s roast dinner is unbeatable
Film recommendation: Zone of Interest