Maria Stokes

Emeritus Professor Maria Stokes is Deputy Lead of the Active Living for Health Research Group at the University of Southampton's School of Health Sciences. Her work focuses on optimizing neuro-musculoskeletal health across diverse populations, from elite athletes to older adults, with an emphasis on reducing health inequalities. She leads interdisciplinary projects addressing injury prevention, physical activity adherence, and space medicine through clinical tool development and biomechanical research.

• Research Groups: Institute for Life Sciences, Active Living Southampton
• Key Projects: Myotones ISS Experiment, SpaceM-MARK, Musculoskeletal Countermeasures
• Grants: NIHR, Versus Arthritis, STFC, EPSRC

Her research integrates clinical practice and innovation, exemplified by studies on astronaut muscle adaptation and co-produced public health strategies for ethnic minority communities. Awards include the NIHR Senior Investigator Award and OBE for services to healthcare.

• Advising: Supervises PhD candidates Paul Muckelt and Debra Hayhurst
• Labs/Teams: Active Living for Health Research Group, Musculoskeletal Health Team