I joined the Department for Health at the University of Bath as a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in 2013 and I was promoted to Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in 2018. 

My areas of expertise are exercise physiology and immunobiology. I am leading a programme of research that examines the immunology of ageing and diseases, such as cancer, by exploring the impact lifestyle factors have on disease mechanisms. Some of my research is undertaken in the context of disease risk, but other projects examine clinical outcome predictors among patients undergoing treatment, primarily in a cancer setting.

Prior to my position at the University of Bath, I undertook a PhD between 2007-2010 at the University of Birmingham, UK. My research covered topics related to exercise, immune function and ageing. Following my PhD, I remained at the University of Birmingham to undertake three years of post-doctoral training in cancer immunology. During this time, my contributions furthered our understanding of the immune system helping to develop novel therapeutic strategies for treating blood cancers. In addition, my projects contributed towards producing a prophylactic vaccine to prevent glandular fever (infectious mononucleosis) and cancers caused by Epstein-Barr Virus.

The research projects I am leading cover topics such as:

• Immune ageing and inflammation 
• Immune competency and surveillance
• Cancer risk and cancer treatment

These themes are examined in the context of:

• Exercise and physical activity
• Physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour
• Overweight, obesity and diet
• Psychosocial stress