Research interests

My research is aligned to the University's Biomedical and Clinical Science research theme. Specifically, I am interested in the following research areas:

• Sensorimotor control of human balance and orientation
• Cognitive and emotive influence on balance control
• Balance and falls in older adults
• Gait following foot surgery

Enquiries from prospective postgraduate researchers are welcome at any time. Past PhD students include:

• Rohan Rajan (2025) - Clinical and biomechanical comparison between arthrodesis and total joint arthroplasty of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint for the treatment of hallux rigidus
• Abigail Page (2021) - Effects of quadriceps strength asymmetry, ageing and external loading on stair negotiation

Recent publications

A list of my publications can be found at the University of Derby Repository.

Also see ResearchGate, Google Scholar, or ORCID.

Membership of professional bodies

I joined The Physiological Society as an Affiliate Member in 2009 and have since become a Full Member and Society Representative for the University of Derby. This has allowed me to work on several initiatives including our annual Physiological Symposium. I have also worked with the Society to create resources for other physiology educators on their Training Hub and I was featured as part of their Member Stories project.

I am also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA).

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons), University of Birmingham (2008)
• PhD, University of Birmingham (2012)
• PGCHE, University of Derby (2014)

International experience

I have presented my research findings at several international conferences:

• International Posture Symposium, Smolenice, Slovakia (2011, 2018)
• Progress in Motor Control IX, Montreal, Canada (2013)

Teaching responsibilities

• Principles of sport and exercise physiology (BSc year 1)
• Physiological assessment for sport, exercise and health (BSc year 2, Module Leader)
• Applied sports physiology (BSc year 3)
• Independent study (BSc year 3)
• Advanced sport and exercise physiology (MSc, Module Leader)
• Advanced clinical exercise physiology (MSc)
• Independent research in sport and exercise (MSc, Module Leader)

Additional interests and activities

• Article reviewer for: The Journal of Physiology, PLOS ONE (Guest Academic Editor), European Journal of Neuroscience, Journal of Neurophysiology, Experimental Brain Research, Human Movement Science, European Journal of Sport Science, Aging and Health Research, Experimental Gerontology
• Grant reviewer for: Leverhulme Trust, Wellcome Trust
• Postgraduate research examiner for: University of Birmingham, Coventry University, University of Northampton
• College Research Ethics Committee member