Meet the team
Chief Investigator: Dr Tom Nightingale
Dr Nightingale is an integrative physiologist with interests in the effects of exercise on cardiometabolic and cerebrovascular outcomes, and the impact of neuromodulation, in individuals with a spinal cord injury.
PhD Student: Mr Dan Hodgkiss
Mr Hodgkiss is undertaking a PhD supported by the International Spinal Research Trust and is investigating the use of non-invasive spinal cord stimulation to improve exercise capacity and therapeutic outcomes in individuals with a spinal cord injury.
Co-Investigator: Dr Sam Lucas
Dr Lucas is an integrative physiologist with a special interest in cerebral blood flow regulation and the resultant impact on brain function, particularly in the context of exercise and environmental stressors (e.g., orthostatic, hypoxic, thermal stress).
Co-Investigator:Dr Shin-Yi (Chloe) Chiou
Dr Chiou is a qualified physiotherapist and a neuroscientist with research interests in motor control and rehabilitation in spinal cord injury. Her research aspiration is to improve the effectiveness of therapeutic exercise using accessible and affordable rehabilitation methods.
Co-Investigator and Study Psychologist: Professor Jet Veldhuijzen van Zanten
Professor Veldhuijzen van Zanten is a biological psychologist with interdisciplinary research interests on the influence of behaviour on psychological and physiological health and well-being in various clinical populations.
Co-Investigator: Dr Shane Balthazaar
Dr Balthazaar is a cardiovascular researcher with expertise in ultrasound and various autonomic testing, having experience in both academia and clinical settings.
Co-Investigator: Dr Joseph Welch
Dr Joseph Welch is a respiratory physiologist with expertise in the neural control of breathing, respiratory neuroplasticity, respiratory muscle fatigue, and the mechanics of breathing during exercise.
