Dr Joanna Richards PhD, MSc, BASES Accredited Physiologist

2007 – BSc Sport and Exercise Science, De Montfort University

2008 – MSc Physical Activity and Wellbeing, University of Bedfordshire

2012 – PhD An investigation of the Morganroth Hypothesis to establish if heart adaptation is exercise specific

Following the completion of a Sport and Exercise BSc at De Montfort University, Jo studied for an MSc at the University of Bedfordshire whilst working part time as a Senior Technician in the Sport Science Laboratories.  Jo then started her PhD in 2008, investigating the effects of different types of exercise training on left ventricular structure and function.  During this time Jo developed her echocardiography skills and interest in cardiac physiology.  On completion of her PhD Jo became a Lecturer and subsequently a Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology at the University of Bedfordshire.  In this role Jo co-ordinated a Clinical Exercise Physiology MSc and worked in the development of the Community Exercise Clinic.  Jo joined the University of Birmingham in 2024 with a focus on the continued evolution of the Clinical Exercise Physiology MSc and the Centre for Movement and Wellbeing.

Director of Studies

• PhD: Abi Saunders – Pressure overload – Using echocardiography to investigate left ventricular responses to resistance exercise.
• PhD: Abbie Bell - Sedentary Behaviour in Coronary Heart Disease and its Effect on Cardiometabolic Risk Markers and Left Ventricular Function and Structure (Viva Voce – Nov/Dec 2024)
• MSc by Research: Natasha Wing – The effects of static water immersion and different body postures on the cardiovascular system in healthy participants.
• MSc by Research: Alex Beaumont – Left ventricular diastolic mechanics in trained athletes during submaximal exercise using speckle tracking imaging.
• MSc by Research: Amy Campbell – The effect of water temperature and hydrostatic pressure on recovery from exercise induced muscle damage. 

2nd Supervisor

• PhD: Sean Maloney – The relationship between stiffness, asymmetries and change of direction speed.
• PhD: Cheryl Barford – Torso muscle onset in response to an unexpected lower body perturbation in young adults, older adults and trained participants.

Jo is a Trustee for Marston Charities.  This is charity which provides small grants to residents of a Bedfordshire village who wish to study at University.