Embracing the Challenge: A PhD on Exercise Recovery

The year 2020 marked a significant milestone with my award of a prestigious BBSRC-funded PhD studentship on the exciting London Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programme (LIDo). This four-year doctoral training partnership allows me to delve into the fascinating world of exercise physiology, metabolomics and life history theory under the guidance of a distinguished team of supervisors:

• Professor Jonathan Wells (UCL Institute of Child Health): A world-renowned expert in paediatric nutrition, public health nutrition, and human evolution, Professor Wells brings invaluable expertise in integrating evolutionary perspectives into my research.

• Professor David Connolly (Royal Veterinary College): Professor Connolly's extensive experience in small animal cardiology at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is instrumental in the canine aspect of my research.

• Professor Mario Cortina Borja (UCL Institute of Child Health): Professor Cortina Borja's expertise in biostatistics and bioinformatics at UCL provides a critical foundation for the analytical techniques employed in my research.

Year 1: Laying the Foundation

• Research Rotations: I undertook two four-month research projects in different laboratories, allowing me to explore various research areas and ultimately select the most compelling topic for my PhD thesis.

• LIDo Core Program: I participated in a comprehensive core program encompassing courses like SysMIC (Systems Biology, Statistics and Biological Modelling), Principles of Biology, and BioIndustry. Notably, I achieved a Distinction in the SysMIC course, which led to an exclusive opportunity to join the Learn to Discover online training program. This program honed my skills in Python programming, data science, and machine learning – all tailored for the specific needs of health, disease, and bioscience research.

Year 2 Onwards: Interdisciplinary PhD Research

From year two onwards, I embarked on my PhD research project, leveraging my veterinary expertise to extend the scope of a previously human-focused PhD to incorporate canine studies.

Project: Variability in the metabolomic response to exercise & recovery in humans & dogs

Exercise benefits health through diverse metabolic pathways and is central to healthy ageing. However, high-intensity exercise can also challenge the body, causing cellular damage that must be repaired. My PhD uses advanced metabolomic methods combined with an evolutionary lens to investigate the metabolic processes of recovery from exercise. Furthermore, I am exploring how these processes vary across different groups based on characteristics such as age, sex (in humans), and additionally, breed (in dogs). Work on human athletes competing in ultra-endurance marathons, and on Alaskan sled dogs, the most elite endurance canine athletes, will help me interpret the results of my more controlled studies of leisure exercise.

Fostering Multi-Institutional Collaboration

A core aspect of my PhD journey has been fostering collaborations with multiple institutions, allowing me to gain invaluable experiences and expertise:

• Human Study: This volet involves data collection at the University of East London's SportsDock facilities, collaborating with Dr Andy Galbraith, an expert in exercise physiology. Hormone and deuterium analysis, both crucial aspects of the study, will be conducted at the Institute of Child Health under the guidance of Professor Simon Eaton.

• Dog Study: Data collection takes place at the Royal Veterinary College's Hawkshead Campus under the supervision of Professor David Connolly.

• Sample Analysis: All samples, both human and canine, will be analysed at Imperial College London under the supervision of Dr Elizabeth Want, a leader in metabolomic analysis techniques.

This multi-institutional collaboration has significantly enhanced my organisational skills, communication abilities, and capacity to foster collaboration across diverse research teams.

Engaging in Additional Responsibilities

While immersed in my PhD research, I have actively contributed to the LIDo program and my department:

• LIDo Student Representative (2022-Present): I serve as a student representative for my cohort, advocating for student needs and interests within the program.

• Early Career Representative (ECR) and Scientific Exchange ECR Champion (2021-Present): I actively participate in these roles in the Population, Policy and Practice Research and Teaching department at the Institute of Child Health (ICH), promoting ECR development and facilitating scientific exchange opportunities.

• ICH Communications Group Co-Lead (2021-Present): I co-lead the ICH Communications Group, contributing to effective departmental communication strategies.

• Postgraduate Tutor (2022-Present): Since 2022, I have served as a postgraduate tutor for the SysMIC and Learn to Discover courses. My responsibilities include conducting one-to-one tutoring sessions, answering questions on forums, and marking assignments.

This well-rounded approach allows me to not only excel in my research but also develop valuable leadership and communication skills that will benefit me throughout my career.

Post-PhD: Unlocking the Secrets of Animal Recovery - A Future of Interdisciplinary Collaboration

My journey in veterinary medicine has been a thrilling blend of clinical practice and research. As I approach the exciting culmination of my PhD on the metabolic response to exercise, I'm brimming with ideas for the future. This next chapter will see me seamlessly integrate my veterinary expertise with the research skills I've honed in both human and canine studies, along with the valuable foundation laid by my MSc research on feline degenerative joint disease.  My ultimate goal? To revolutionise animal rehabilitation through a deeper understanding of how animals recover from exercise and disease.

Bridging the Species Divide

My ongoing PhD research investigates the intricate dance between metabolism and physical activity in humans and dogs. This knowledge provides a powerful framework for exploring similar processes in animals. It's a framework I'm eager to refine further, leveraging the additional insights gleaned from my MSc research on feline degenerative joint disease. This unique combination positions me to bridge the gap between species, allowing me to explore the fascinating intersection of exercise, recovery, and metabolic processes across the animal kingdom.

Focus on Recovery and Rehabilitation

The world of animal rehabilitation beckons, and it's within this exciting realm that I envision my post-PhD path. My research focus will centre around delving into the metabolic pathways and inflammatory responses that underpin recovery in animals following:

• Exercise: Understanding how animals recuperate from different types of exercise, ranging from routine walks to high-performance activities, is crucial for informing personalised rehabilitation protocols.

• Disease: Investigating the metabolic and inflammatory changes associated with various diseases and injuries can offer invaluable insights for optimising recovery strategies.

Translating research findings into tangible benefits for animal health is paramount. That's why I'm eager to collaborate with veterinarians, rehabilitation specialists, and researchers to develop evidence-based rehabilitation protocols that will significantly improve animal wellbeing.

The Power of Collaboration

Collaboration is the cornerstone of impactful research. Even as I complete my PhD, I'm actively seeking to connect with passionate individuals and institutions who share my vision for advancing animal rehabilitation. These collaborations could be with:

• Veterinarians: By working with other veterinary practitioners, I can translate future research findings into real-world clinical applications, directly benefiting animals in need.

• Rehabilitation Specialists: Collaboration with animal physiotherapists and other specialists will allow us to develop personalised rehabilitation plans based on individual metabolic and inflammatory profiles.

• Researchers: Synergy with other researchers in veterinary medicine, human physiology, and related fields will be instrumental in pushing the boundaries of knowledge in animal recovery.

Join the Journey!

My dedication to unlocking the secrets of animal recovery is unwavering. As I complete my PhD, I actively seek opportunities to interact with the wider community in this field. If you share my passion and are interested in collaborating or exploring future opportunities together, don't hesitate to contact me!  Through collaboration and the exchange of ideas, we can shape the future of animal rehabilitation and ensure optimal recovery for all our furry companions.