Staff at The Centre for Movement and Wellbeing (MoveWell)

Leigh Breen

Director, Centre for Movement and Wellbeing (MoveWell)

Professor Breen leads the Molecular and Metabolic Physiology Research Group, based in the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences and is the Director for the Centre of Movement and Wellbeing (MoveWell). His research has been largely conducted under the auspices of the Medical Research Council/Versus Arthritis Centre for Musculoskeletal Ageing Research and the NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre at UoB. The overarching goal of his work is to understand cellular mechanisms of skeletal muscle plasticity and develop targeted exercise and nutritional approaches to enhance skeletal muscle remodelling, function and performance in health and disease. His research is fundamentally translational and utilises a range of innovative experimental approaches and techniques, as well as wide-ranging interdisciplinary collaborations to maximize impact and influence. Professor Breen’s is supported by extensive research funding from Research Councils, charitable foundations, healthcare bodies and industry partners. He also Leads the UKRI-funded ‘ATTAIN’ Network for transformative ageing research through physical activity in those who experience health inequalities. He has published over 100 peer-reviewed research articles and is a regular speaker at national and international conferences.

Judith Coe

Asst Professor of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy in Practice

Judith has worked with High Performance Sports Teams and has been part of many multisport Games as a Physiotherapist. During her time at the English Institute of Sport she took an active interest in injury prevention and managing athletes during Olympic cycles.

Judith moved into the world of performing arts as Head Company Physio for Birmingham Royal Ballet and acts as a contractor for The Royal Ballet in London Covent Garden. She is currently completing her Professional Doctorate in resilience with Performing Arts.

Daniel Walton

MSK Physiotherapist

Dan qualified as a physiotherapist in 2006 from the University of Brighton with an MSc in Pre RegPhysiotherapy.

Prior to this, he completed a BSc in Sports Science and Geography at Loughborough University.

He has worked within several high-performance settings in elite Sport and the Military alongside some recent NHS work.

Dan has also completed a PGDip Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health at University College London alongside his clinic work.

Rachel Graves

Neurological Physiotherapist

Rachel qualified as a physiotherapist from the University of the West of England, Bristol, with a BSc First Class (Honours) Degree in Physiotherapy.

She has worked as a physiotherapist for the NHS for over 20 years delivering inpatient stroke and neuro-rehabilitation.

Having completed a range of postgraduate courses, including basic and advanced Bobath courses and a PG cert in Medical Science (Stroke) Rachel has worked as an Associate Lecturer and has delivered community and out-patient based goal-centred therapy for adults with a confirmed neurological diagnosis, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease and Motor Neurone Disease.

Amira Hosny

Neurological Physiotherapist

Amira is a neurological physiotherapist with a special interest in treating stroke patients using neurorehabilitation technology. She is currently acting as the clinic supervisor and physiotherapist for ‘Physio for Stroke’ where her work will be focused on developing the student-led clinic, supervising students, and treating stroke outpatients.

She graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy from the University of Birmingham after which she completed her clinical rotations at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust and then joined a private neurorehabilitation hospital, working with a variety of neurological patients and regularly utilizing neurorehabilitation technologies such as robotics and virtual reality. She is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and is HCPC registered.