Neil Heron

Neil Heron is a Clinical Lecturer at Queen's University Belfast, affiliated with the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences and the Centre for Public Health. He is also a Sport and Exercise Medicine consultant and General Practitioner (GP). His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in promoting health and well-being through physical activity and injury prevention.

Education:

• Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in 'Steps to a better Belfast: physical activity assessment and promotion in primary care' (Queen's University Belfast, 2012)
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in 'SPRITE: Stroke Prevention Rehabilitation Intervention Trial of Exercise' (Queen's University Belfast, 2018)

Research Interests:

• Role of physical activity in managing chronic diseases, especially post-TIA/stroke cardiovascular risk
• Novel treatments for osteoarthritis (e.g., PRP injections)
• Safety in road cycling and injury prevention
• App/web-based technology for behavior change
• Concussion management in sports and community settings

His interdisciplinary approach bridges clinical practice, public health, and technology to address complex healthcare challenges.

Awards:

• 1st Prize (2023): Association Prize for Sports and Exercise Medicine, BASEM annual conference
• BJSM PhD Academy Award Nominee (2019)
• NIHR Clinical Lectureship (2018–current)
• Prof Cupples Primary Care Travel Fellowship (2023)

Advising & Grants:

• Accepting PhD students in areas like Sport and Exercise Medicine, Cycling Medicine, Rehabilitation
• Research funding: NIHR doctoral fellowship (2014–2018), R&D Office Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke
• Supervised/co-supervised his own MPhil and PhD projects, now advising others in clinical and academic settings

Labs & Teams: Collaborates on the interdisciplinary MED-AGE project (2023–present) focusing on medicines in aging populations. Active in the Centre for Public Health, contributing to injury prevention and sports medicine research teams.