Find Academic Supervisors

Michail MichailovView profile

Professor

• Sports Training Methodology
• Elite Sport Scientific Support
• Physiological Testing in Sports
• +3 more

Prof. Michail Michailov serves as Professor and head of the 'Theory and Methodology of Sports Training' sector at the Department of Theory of Sport Training, Faculty of Sport, National Sports Academy in Sofia, Bulgaria. Teaching since 2001, he earned his Doctor of Sciences degree in 2020 and was appointed Professor in 2023, specializing in sports training methodology and rock climbing physiology. His educational milestones: Doctoral degree (Doctor) in 2006 Doctor of Sciences degree in 2020 Professor appointment in 2023 Michailov's research centers on sport-specific physiological testing, elite athlete performance evaluation, and rock climbing training methodology. He developed innovative equipment for peripheral aerobic/anaerobic capacity assessment and focuses on translating scientific findings into practical training applications for climbers. His work bridges sports science theory with elite athletic performance optimization. Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2016-2024) reveals dominant focus on climbing biomechanics and physiology, particularly finger strength metrics, muscle endurance testing, and training adaptations. Key trends include validation of sport-specific assessment tools, blood flow restriction applications, and energy system contributions to climbing performance, with strong international collaboration patterns across European institutions. No formal scientific awards are documented, though he serves as guest editor for Frontiers and reviews for high-impact sports science journals, indicating peer recognition. He manages National Sports Academy research projects and international Erasmus initiatives, providing scientific support for elite athletes through performance testing and methodological guidance. While no formal students are listed, his coaching background informs practical knowledge transfer. Michailov actively contributes to the UIAA medical commission and leads development of a European sport climbing coach training system, with collaborations at Charles University (Prague), Krakow Academy of Physical Education, and Cologne Sports University.

Richard FergusonView profile

Associate Professor

• Human and Exercise Physiology
• Sports Performance
• Health and Wellbeing
• +3 more

Richard Ferguson is an Associate Professor (Reader) in Human and Exercise Physiology at Loughborough University's School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. His research focuses on enhancing human performance and health through exercise interventions, particularly in endurance sports and muscle physiology. He has collaborated with the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine and has over 25 years of experience in Sport and Exercise Science. Prior to joining Loughborough in 2007, he worked at the University of Strathclyde and completed his PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University, with research at the August Krogh Institute in Denmark. Education: BSc in Sport and Exercise Science (University of Birmingham), MPhil (University of Birmingham), PhD (Manchester Metropolitan University). He teaches on undergraduate and postgraduate programs in Sport and Exercise Science. Research interests include exercise physiology, skeletal muscle adaptations, blood flow restriction training, and endurance performance modeling. His work explores how physiological factors like mitochondrial function and oxygen uptake influence athletic performance. Recent studies investigate novel interventions such as Tetraselmis chuii supplementation and the EFRT fatigue model. Professional activities include advising on cycling performance and participating in international research collaborations. He is an active cyclist himself, blending personal passion with professional expertise.

Carla Amanda RueView profile

Research Fellow

• Physiological Responses to Physically Demanding Occupations
• Physical Employment Standards
• High Altitude Health and Performance
• +3 more

Dr. Carla Amanda Rue is a Research Fellow at the University of Chichester, specializing in Exercise Physiology. She leads the OPRG in delivering commercial contracts for the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) and National Ambulance Resilience Unit (NARU), focusing on Physical Employment Standards (PES) and high-altitude health. Her research explores physiological responses to physically demanding occupations and military performance optimization. Dr. Rue holds a PhD from the University of Chichester (2014), an MSc from Bangor University (2010), and a BSc from the University of Chichester (2009). Affiliations: University of Chichester, Birmingham Medical Research Expeditionary Society (BMRES), MOD, NARU. Teaching: Physiology modules across multiple degree pathways at the University of Chichester. Her research interests include military physical performance, casualty management, and high-altitude physiology. Key projects include developing PES for Ground Close Combat roles and analyzing load carriage in military operations. Dr. Rue has contributed to over 15 peer-reviewed articles and technical reports, focusing on biomechanics, fitness testing, and operational stress adaptation. She has presented at international conferences such as the International Conference on Soldier Physical Performance and the Physical Employment Standards Conference. Her work bridges applied physiology with practical military and emergency response applications, emphasizing evidence-based standards for physical performance and resilience.

• Sports Science
• Soccer
• Perceptual-Cognitive Skills
• +3 more

Filipe Casanova is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education of Lusófona University - Centro Universitário do Porto . His academic work focuses on Sports Science , particularly in Football (Soccer) , with an emphasis on perceptual-cognitive skills, visual search behavior, physical performance optimization, and training methodology . He holds a Doctorate in Sports Science and has extensive publications in football-specific performance metrics and cognitive training interventions . Education: PhD in Sports Science MSc in High-Performance Sports Training Postdoctoral Studies in Sports Science BSc in Physical Education Research Interests: Filipe's work explores the intersection of visual perception, decision-making under pressure, physical conditioning, and tactical behavior in football players. His recent studies examine phenomena like post-activation potentiation, ambient temperature effects on cognition, and muscle performance optimization in female athletes . Publication Trends: Filipe's publications (2014-2024) emphasize visual search behavior, physiological demands, and cognitive skill integration in football, with methodological focus on small-sided games, bioelectrical impedance, and drop-set training protocols . His 2024 work spans warm-up efficacy, decision lexicon, and muscle thickness comparisons .

• Kinesiology
• Sports Kinesiology
• Basketball
• +2 more

Mario Jeličić is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split , specializing in Sports Kinesiology with a focus on Basketball . He holds a Doctorate in Kinesiology (University of Zagreb, 2006) and a specialist degree in Natural and Mathematical Sciences (University of Split, 1996). Primary role: Course bearer in Basketball Theory and Methodology Coordinator for the Basketball Sports Trainer track Research Interests span: Basketball Performance Analysis : Game structure, positional differences, and situational efficiency metrics. Training Load Optimization : Correlations between internal/external load indicators and match outcomes in soccer. Physiological Studies : Aerobic capacity assessments using novel tests like the 30-15 intermittent fitness test. Sports Ethics : Anti-doping compliance and illicit drug misuse correlations in adolescent athletes. Recent publications from 2017-2022 highlight his work on: Anti-doping legal frameworks with gender-specific validity Transition offense strategies in European basketball Morphological predictors of long-term player achievements Smoking and substance abuse in sports-associated adolescents Academic Roles : Permanent selection Professor since 2023 Teaching and coordination roles in basketball training programs

Colin SanctuaryView profile

Lecturer

• Strength and Conditioning
• Applied Sports Science
• Sport Performance
• +8 more

Dr Colin Sanctuary is a Lecturer in the School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy at the University of Newcastle, specializing in Exercise and Sport Science. He transitioned from a 20+ year career in professional sports (e.g., cricket, soccer, rugby league) to academia, leveraging his extensive industry networks to bridge academic research with community and industry engagement. His roles include leading Work Integrated Learning programs and collaborating with organizations like the Newcastle Knights, Central Coast Mariners, and Cricket NSW. Education: PhD (University of Leeds, UK), BA (Honours) in Physical Education and Sport (University of Leeds, UK). Research Interests: Sport performance pathways, movement competency assessment (e.g., Best Start tool), applied sports science, interdisciplinary collaboration, and youth athlete development. His work focuses on foundational movement skills in primary education, integrating numeracy/literacy with physical activity. Grants & Collaborations: Secured $126,116 in grants, including projects on NRLW player development and accelerating the Best Start program via CSIRO’s On-Prime initiative. Collaborates with national/international bodies like FIFA and the Tongan Dept of Education. Key Projects: Co-developed the Best Start Assessment Tool for foundational movement skills, Indigenous Maths in Motion, and Maths with the Mariners programs. Supervises three PhD candidates linked to the Newcastle Knights. Teaching Focus: Emphasizes transferable skills and work-integrated learning, designing curricula that prepare students for sport, education, and health sectors.

• Exercise Physiology
• Exercise Metabolism
• High Intensity Interval Training
• +6 more

Dr. Richard Metcalfe is a Senior Lecturer in Sports and Exercise Sciences at Swansea University, working within the Technology, Exercise and Applied Sports Medicine (ASTEM) Research Group in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He joined Swansea University in October 2017 after working as a Lecturer in Exercise and Health at Ulster University from 2014-2017. Dr. Metcalfe earned his BSc (Hons) in Sports and Exercise Science from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh in 2010, followed by a PhD at the University of Bath (2010-2015) under the supervision of Dr. Niels Vollaard and Professor Dylan Thompson. His primary research focuses on the health benefits of high-intensity, time-efficient interval training (HIT), particularly developing optimized protocols for sedentary populations. Over the past decade, his work has led to the development of reduced-effort HIT (REHIT), an exercise protocol that takes no more than 10 minutes to complete (twice weekly) with just 40 seconds of high-intensity exercise. This approach aims to remove barriers that prevent sedentary individuals from gaining health benefits through regular exercise. His expertise spans exercise physiology, exercise metabolism, high-intensity interval training, Type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and training adjustments. Dr. Metcalfe's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on practical, time-efficient exercise interventions with applications for metabolic health, cardiovascular function, and performance optimization. His work frequently examines how minimal exercise can produce significant health benefits, with particular attention to REHIT protocols, nutritional timing, and physiological responses to various exercise modalities. Dr. Metcalfe is actively involved in postgraduate supervision, currently overseeing multiple PhD projects related to nutritional strategies in rugby, youth athlete development, exercise impact on cardiometabolic health, and exercise serum effects on cancer cells. He has also supervised several MSc students whose work focused on breakfast timing effects on performance, alternative rugby for at-risk populations, and children's fitness. His research has been featured in BBC Horizon documentaries ("The Truth About Exercise" in 2011 and "The Truth About Getting Fit" in 2018), and he regularly contributes to The Conversation with articles on fitness, exercise physiology, and health.

Samantha RowlandView profile

Lecturer

• Exercise Physiology
• Nutrition Science
• Cardiovascular Health
• +3 more

Samantha Rowland is a Lecturer in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University, specializing in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science (2016), MSc in Exercise Physiology (2017), and PhD in dietary nitrate supplementation (2022). Her roles include Postgraduate University Teacher, Research Associate (2017–2022), and current Lecturer (since 2024). Her research focuses on dietary nitrate, cardiovascular health, probiotics, and female athlete health. Research Groups: Lifestyle for Health and Wellbeing, Sport Performance. Awards: Academic Prizes (2016), Santander Postgraduate Scholarship (2017). Recent work explores nitrate’s impact on exercise performance, TMAO metabolism, and female hormonal profiles in athletes. Her studies combine physiology, nutrition, and metabolic pathways to advance sports science applications. Education: Loughborough University (BSc, MSc, PhD) Awards: 2016 Academic Prizes, 2017 Santander Scholarship Labs/Teams: Active in research groups focusing on health and sport performance.

Dan PeartView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Nutrition
• Exercise Physiology
• Sports Science
• +3 more

Dan Peart is a Senior Lecturer at Northumbria University, focusing on nutrition and physiology for health/performance, and pedagogy in higher education. He holds a PhD in Sports Science (2013) and has taught at multiple institutions, including Teesside University and Scunthorpe's University Centre, where he was Programme Leader for Bioscience and Biochemistry. His research spans sports nutrition interventions, blended learning dynamics during the pandemic, and innovative teaching methods like hand-drawn diagrams in biology education. He leads the department's pedagogy research group and supervises postgraduate research students exploring topics like nutrition in high-intensity training and gymnastics coaching resources. Peart's recent work emphasizes digital tools in sports science (e.g., mobile apps for data collection) and student engagement in hybrid learning environments. He has published widely on topics ranging from curcumin supplementation to sleep deprivation effects, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach to health and education.

Chris NevilleView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Sports Science
• Football Performance
• Physical Fitness Assessment
• +2 more

Chris Neville is a Senior Lecturer in Football Science at Solent University , specializing in sports performance and physiological assessment. He contributes to the Sport and Health Research Group, focusing on football-specific fitness metrics and athletic development. Research interests include youth soccer player profiling, sports physiology, and reliability of fitness testing tools. Developed expertise in applying item response theory for sports skill assessment and cross-cultural analysis of athletic development in emerging football markets. His recent publications (2011-2024) emphasize: Football-specific endurance testing (Yo-Yo Intermitent Recovery) Physical profiling in diverse soccer environments (Timor-Leste, professional leagues) Motor sports physiology (speedway riders) Active in knowledge dissemination through invited talks on football science since 2019.

• Fatigue mechanisms in sports performance
• Psychophysiological mechanisms of sports performance
• Pacing strategies in athletic performance
• +5 more

Dr. Emily Williams serves as Course Director in Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences and Subject Discipline Lead for Sport and Exercise Physiology at Leeds Beckett University's Carnegie School of Sport. With a strong foundation in both academic research and practical application, she directs the Centre for Human Performance and contributes significantly to sports science education and research. Her research expertise spans psychophysiological mechanisms of sports performance, with particular focus on fatigue, pacing strategies, and mind-body interactions during athletic performance. Dr. Williams investigates how environmental stressors, especially heat exposure, influence cognitive and physical performance, with applications ranging from elite sports to occupational settings requiring critical decision-making in challenging environments. Her work frequently employs innovative methodologies including deception studies, eye-tracking, and think-aloud protocols to understand cognitive processes during exercise. Dr. Williams's publication record demonstrates consistent output in high-impact journals, with recent work examining tyrosine supplementation in soccer players, longitudinal changes in women's rugby physiology, and systematic reviews on heat preparation strategies. Her research shows a clear trajectory from foundational work on cycling time trials and deception studies toward broader applications in team sports, environmental physiology, and cognitive performance under stress. Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Extensive publication record in sports science and exercise physiology Research funded through university and potential external grants Contributions to understanding environmental stressors on performance Dr. Williams actively supervises students and contributes to curriculum development in sport and exercise science, with her Postgraduate Certification for Teaching in Higher Education supporting her educational leadership. Her work bridges theoretical research with practical applications for athletes, coaches, and practitioners working in challenging environmental conditions.

• Exercise Physiology
• Prostate Cancer Care
• Cardiovascular Rehabilitation
• +3 more

Said Ibeggazene is a Clinical Science Research Fellow at Sheffield Hallam University, focusing on integrating exercise into NHS prostate cancer care through the NIHR-funded STAMINA programme. His work emphasizes evidence-based exercise interventions to improve patient outcomes. Education: BSc in Sport and Exercise Science from Loughborough University (200X), PhD in Cardiovascular Exercise Physiology from the University of Leeds (201X). Former Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Hull Royal Infirmary's Academic Vascular Surgical Unit. Holds professional experience as an Athletics Coach (sprints) and personal trainer. Research interests center on applied exercise physiology, particularly in clinical populations. Key areas include exercise training protocols for patients with prostate cancer undergoing androgen deprivation therapy, vascular surgery patients with intermittent claudication, and translational research bridging evidence generation to healthcare practice. Publications highlight expertise in qualitative studies on exercise acceptability, clinical trial methodologies for lifestyle interventions, and vascular rehabilitation. His work contributes to optimizing NHS care pathways through evidence-based exercise integration.

Mayur RanchordasView profile

Professor

• Sport Nutrition
• Exercise Physiology
• Performance Recovery
• +3 more

Mayur Ranchordas is Professor of Applied Human Nutrition for Sport and Exercise and Head of University Research Ethics at Sheffield Hallam University, where he teaches in the School of Sport and Physical Activity within the College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences. His research portfolio spans sport performance and health applications of nutrition, examining: Dietary supplements and ergogenic aids Recovery strategies for elite athletes Nutritional periodization in team sports Weight management strategies Dr. Ranchordas' extensive publication record demonstrates consistent focus on practical nutrition interventions for performance enhancement. Recent work examines sodium bicarbonate supplementation protocols, sport-specific nutrition for football and squash, and validation of dietary assessment methods. His research frequently involves elite athletes from Premier League football clubs and Olympic sports programs. He supervises PhD students investigating polyphenol supplementation, climbing nutrition, and novel ergogenic aids. As a practitioner, he has supported Olympic champions, Premiership footballers, and professional athletes across multiple sports.

• Exercise Physiology
• Metabolism
• Sports Nutrition
• +3 more

Egil Ivar Johansen is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences. His research focuses on exercise physiology, metabolism, and sports nutrition, with particular emphasis on how dietary interventions and training regimens affect physical performance and metabolic health. Dr. Johansen investigates topics including: Effects of caloric restriction and meal timing on metabolism Carbohydrate-protein interactions during exercise recovery High-fat diets combined with aerobic exercise High-intensity interval training adaptations Metabolic responses to endurance and strength training His recent publications (15 most recent shown) demonstrate consistent focus on human performance optimization through nutritional and exercise interventions, with studies examining both athletic populations and clinical groups (e.g., overweight/obese individuals, those with metabolic disorders). Research consistently features randomized controlled trials and mechanistic physiological investigations. Dr. Johansen collaborates extensively with national and international research teams, contributing to multi-institutional studies on exercise metabolism and sports nutrition.

Ian PerkinsView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Sports Nutrition
• Exercise Physiology
• High-Intensity Intermittent Exercise
• +4 more

Senior Lecturer Ian Perkins teaches Physical Education and Sports Physiology at the University of Chichester's Institute of Sport. His research focuses on supplementation strategies to enhance athletic performance and recovery. He holds a BA (Hons) and MSc in Sport and Exercise Physiology from the University of Chichester and is currently completing his PhD. Education: BA (Hons) Physical Education and Teaching (QTS), University of Chichester (2012); MSc Sport and Exercise Physiology (2014) Research Interests: Specializes in New Zealand blackcurrant supplementation , high-intensity intermittent exercise , and muscle oxygenation dynamics . His work explores Individual variability in supplement responses Recovery mechanisms in tennis and climbing Physiological adaptations to repeated exercise doses Publication Trends: All 6 recent articles examine New Zealand blackcurrant's impact on athletic performance, with specific focus on climbing, running, and forearm endurance. Topics span muscle oxygenation, fatigue mitigation, and recovery optimization. Professional Roles: Leads athletics modules on PGCE Secondary PE and contributes to timetabling operations within the Institute of Sport.