Can you tell us a bit about your Sport and Exercise Science journey?  

My interest in Sport and Exercise Science was sparked by the potential to investigate the individualisation of exercise approaches and the self-management of chronic conditions with minimal recourse to pharmaceuticals. 

After my PhD, I had a post-doctoral position with a well-regarded Principal Investigator on an external grant. 

I am currently the Director of a large research centre and am responsible for staff monitoring, quality assurance on grant applications, fostering a collegiate and vibrant research culture, raising external visibility of our research to maximise uptake by key stakeholders, as well as budget and laboratory space management. 

How did your degree prepare you for your current role?  

Aside from specialised laboratory and data analysis skills, all of the soft skills from multi-tasking, group work, presentation skills etc. have contributed to my ability to succeed in my current position.  

What do you enjoy about your current role?  

I enjoy seeing research centre members enjoy their research, produce quality outputs, win external grants and being engaged in collaborating with others. 

 I enjoy working in the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences. The best part is the diversity of expertise that surrounds me. We have brilliant biomechanists, geneticists, neuroscientists, social scientists and much more. This environment guarantees continued learning and never any tedious days.  

What are your greatest achievements so far?   

Being published in 90 peer-reviewed journal articles, 7 book chapters, 17 PhD supervision completions and contributing to the commercial success of several gym equipment companies such as Exxentric. My work has also been picked up by the UK Chief Medical Expert to inform the formulation of exercise recommendations for older people. 

What advice would you give to students who aspire to a career in Sport and Exercise Science?  

There are a wide range of career opportunities out there. This makes Sport and Exercise Science a unique subject to study. You may choose to focus on social sciences, policy, community health, the legacy of major sporting events, clinical rehabilitation, early diagnosis, detailed physiological characterisations of specific sportspeople, clinical conditions and much more.  You can decide how to mold the specific shape of your degree and what you wish to spend years working on. 

What does diversity in Sport and Exercise Science mean to you?   

Diversity of expertise, diversity of entry levels and diversity of relevance to various protected groups.  

This is important because all manners of career paths need to be diverse, not only to reflect the society that we live in and create a sense of belonging for everyone but also to enhance the quality of what work and how work is done. Everyone has the potential to propose a previously unexpected approach to a particular issue. 

Explore your career options.