Professor Mike Stembridge

Overview

Mike is a Professor of Cardiovascular and Environmental Physiology within the Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences. His research programme explores adaptation of the oxygen transport chain in response to exercise and environmental stimuli through the lens of integrative physiology. These research interests are explored by utilising a wide range of direct interventional techniques and innovative imaging technologies in the assessment of cardiac, cerebrovascular, haematological and neurovascular physiology.

Mike’s early research focused on the divergent pathways of adaptation taken by different populations in response to high altitude, where the oxygen transport chain is significantly stressed by the lower availability of oxygen. By using a combination of laboratory and expeditionary field work in Nepal and Peru, Mike and his team were able to reveal the unique way in which Sherpa regulate the concentration of the oxygen carrying component of the blood (haemoglobin). His environmental work also extends to supporting our elite athletes; Mike authored the expert guidelines for the 2nd edition of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Physiology Testing Guidelines, and is now examining how heat and hypoxia can be used in sequel and combination to enhance endurance performance.

Closer to home, Mike’s research team are unravelling the unique way the cardiovascular system adapts to different types of exercise training. He has demonstrated that the mode of training (e.g. endurance vs. resistance) alters the way the heart responds to the challenge associated of exercise. The theme also aims to identify specific windows in the life-span where cardiovascular adaptations are most prominent. One such period is puberty, where sex and growth hormones peak in boys and girls. Despite four decades of research, empirical evidence for ‘windows of opportunity’ has remained elusive in human models. Work from Mike’s laboratory discovered that whilst cardiac and haematological adaptation were possible pre-puberty, the magnitude of difference between those engaged in training vs. those who were not active was far greater following puberty.

Central to his research programme has been the development of a high-quality training environment for postgraduate researchers (PGRs), with a focus on facilitating bi-directional exchanges with leading research institutes around the globe. He developed a training environment for postgraduate research students that focuses not only on the tangible works, but emphasises the development of soft skills for success in academia. Mike supervises a team of research assistants and PhD candidates exploring various aspects of the research theme outlined above. His support for the wider PGR community and his own students was recognised with a nomination for the Doctoral Researcher Community Impact of the year award, and presentation of the Outstanding Supervisor of the Year Award. His research programme is supported by a wide range of funding sources including governing bodies, charitable organisations, and knowledge transfer and innovation projects. These include The Waterloo Foundation, FIFA Research Scholarship, The Physiological Society, European Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships, the Wilderness Medical Society and the Mount Everest Foundation.

Mike is a Reviewing Editorial for The Journal of Physiology, a Senior Editor for Experimental Physiology and a member of the European College of Sport Science. Annual Congress Reviewing Panel. He is the Laboratory Director for Physiology and Health, the development lead for the School Research Degrees Committee and the staff representative on the Senior Management and Planning Team. Mike is also an active member of the school Research Excellence Framework Panel and the Athena Swan Strategic Action Team.

Research Publications

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