Daniel Keir

Daniel Keir is an Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology at Western University, where he leads an integrative cardiorespiratory research program. His work focuses on how cardiovascular, respiratory, sympathetic, and muscle metabolic systems respond and adapt to challenges in oxygen availability and carbon dioxide removal across various conditions and populations.

Dr. Keir's educational background includes:

• Postdoctoral Fellowship at University Health Network, Toronto
• PhD from Western University
• BSc and MHK from Laurentian University

Dr. Keir's research explores the complex interactions between physiological systems during environmental and metabolic challenges. His laboratory investigates integrative responses to exercise, hypoxia (low O₂), hypercapnia (high CO₂), and their combinations, with particular attention to how these responses vary across health states and the lifespan. His work bridges basic physiological mechanisms with clinical applications, particularly in understanding how physiological systems adapt to stressors that challenge homeostasis.

Analysis of Dr. Keir's recent publications reveals a strong focus on exercise physiology, particularly in defining exercise thresholds, understanding cardiopulmonary responses to different intensities of exercise, and exploring the mechanisms behind the respiratory compensation point. His research often combines methodological innovation with clinical applications, developing non-invasive approaches to assess physiological responses and translate these findings into practical protocols for exercise testing and prescription.

Dr. Keir has contributed significantly to the field through numerous peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals including Sports Medicine, Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, and European Journal of Heart Failure. His work has advanced understanding of exercise physiology and its applications in both healthy populations and those with chronic conditions.

As a supervisor, Dr. Keir mentors graduate students in the Integrative Biosciences program, guiding MSc and PhD candidates in research that examines physiological responses to environmental challenges. His laboratory provides a multidisciplinary environment where students develop expertise in advanced physiological measurement techniques and experimental design.

The Keir Laboratory serves as a hub for integrative physiology research, bringing together students, collaborators, and clinical partners to investigate how physiological systems interact under stress. The lab's work has implications for exercise prescription, clinical rehabilitation, and understanding fundamental physiological mechanisms.