Brendan Gabriel

Brendan Gabriel is a Lecturer at the School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition at the University of Aberdeen, where he is based at the Rowett Institute. He leads research on skeletal muscle in disease pathology, with a focus on chronobiology and physical activity as interventions for metabolic disease. His work explores how circadian rhythms influence skeletal muscle metabolism, particularly in relation to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Gabriel completed his PhD at the Institute of Medical Science, University of Aberdeen (2010-2015), followed by research fellowships at the Karolinska Institute (2015-2019), University of Edinburgh (2019-2020), and the University of Copenhagen (2015-2016).

His research primarily focuses on the role of skeletal muscle in disease pathology, taking into account the principles of chronobiology. He investigates the potential of physical activity as a treatment or preventative intervention in metabolic disease, considering the influence of circadian rhythms on skeletal muscle metabolism. Dr. Gabriel aims to drive improvements in metabolic disease treatment and prevention by conducting ambitious, multimodal research in a supportive and inclusive environment.

His publication record shows a strong focus on the intersection of circadian biology, exercise physiology, and metabolic health. Recent work has examined how exercise timing affects glycemic control in type 2 diabetes, particularly when combined with metformin therapy. His research also explores novel skeletal muscle targets for obesity treatment and prevention, recognizing that skeletal muscle constitutes approximately 40% of the human body and contributes significantly to energy expenditure.

• University of Aberdeen Excellence Awards 'Outstanding Postgraduate Research Supervisors Award' (2024)
• Innovator in Diabetes (IDia), Diabetes UK (2020)
• European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD)/Lilly - Young Investigator Research Award (2020)

Dr. Gabriel currently supervises multiple PhD students including Rashmi Siva Sengh, Brenda Pena Carrillo, Lara Dasar, and Sati Gürel. He has secured significant research funding including grants from the Novo Nordisk Foundation (£460,000), European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (€50,000), and multiple BBSRC and Royal Society awards. His research is supported by collaborations with institutions including Karolinska Institutet, University of Copenhagen, and Nottingham Trent University.

He leads the Sport and Exercise Nutrition MSc program and teaches across several other courses including Molecular Nutrition, Diabetes and Metabolism, and Nutrition, Obesity and Metabolic Health. Dr. Gabriel is actively involved in knowledge exchange activities, including public engagement events at the Aberdeen Science Centre and contributions to media outlets like Men's Fitness.