Email: j.h.macdonald@bangor.ac.uk

Phone: +44 1248 38 3272

Twitter: @sportscimac

Instagram: @jamiehugomacdonald

Brief bio:

After graduating with a Sport Science degree and working as freelance Outdoor Activities Instructor for some years, I returned to academia to complete my PhD in clinical exercise physiology. I am now a Professor in Sport and Exercise Science within the School of Psychology and Sport Science at Bangor University (www.bangor.ac.uk/sport).

I teach and complete research and impact activities in two distinct areas: i) physical activity to prevent and treat chronic disease; and ii) how to enhance health and performance in high altitude environments. 

I research two distinct areas: i) clinical exercise physiology in chronic kidney disease; ii) how to enhance health and performance of outdoor practitioners. 

I teach Advanced Research Design (JXH-4403 and JXH-4209) to our Masters and distance learning students and professional Life Skills to our Undergraduate students (JXH-1064). 

I typically supervise undergraduate and masters project/dissertation students, intercalated students, Foundation Year 2 Medical Doctors, and three PhD students.

When not working, I can be found desperately trying to encourage my nine year old daughter to be as passionate about outdoor pursuits as I am. My main hobbies are climbing, mountaineering and mountain biking.

After finishing my PhD at Bangor University investigating body composition in patients living with chronic kidney disease, I completed a Post Doc in the Renal Unit at Gwynedd Hospital, studying fatigue. I returned to the University and I am now a Professor in Sport and Exercise Science, particularly collaborating with colleagues within The Institute for Applied Human Physiology (http://iahp.bangor.ac.uk).

I teach and complete research and impact activities in two distinct areas: i) physical activity to prevent and treat chronic disease; and ii) how to enhance health and performance of outdoor practitioners.  

Physical Activity:

I maintain my honorary contract with the local Health Board and lead their kidney disease exercise rehabilitation program. I am Co-Chair of the Kidney Research UK Physical Activity, Rehabilitation and Wellbeing Clinical Study Group (www.kidneyresearchuk.org/research/exercise), I am the exercise and nutrition thematic lead for the Wales Kidney Research Unit (www.kidneyresearchunit.wales) and a founder member of the Welsh Institute for Physical Activity, Health and Sport (www.swansea.ac.uk/sports-science/astem/wipahs). I am currently involved in three multicentre studies: PEDAL (PrEscription of intra-Dialytic exercise to improve quAlity of Life: www.ukctg.nihr.ac.uk/trials/trial-details/trial-details?trialNumber=NCT02222402); BISTRO (BioImpedance Spectroscopy to maintain Renal Output: www.keele.ac.uk/bistro), and evaluation of the Kidney Beam platform (www.beamfeelgood.com/kidney%20disease). 

Outdoor practitioners:

various businesses and charities working in the outdoor sector, including Mountain Rescue England and Wales.  My interest in high altitude physiology has led me to participating in a number of medical research expeditions and high-altitude laboratory chamber studies.

Self-funded (inc. agency-funded) projects:

I welcome informal enquiries from prospective PhD students interested in projects related to either of my research areas of interest: i) physical activity to prevent and treat chronic disease; ii) how to enhance health and performance of outdoor practitioners. Please submit a draft research proposal (1-2 pages) to the above email address.

Funded projects:

Studentship opportunities within the school can be found at https://www.bangor.ac.uk/studentfinance/postgraduate/funding#psychology

I have been primary superviser for five PhD students who are now employed in prestigious positions worldwide: Professor at the University of Innsbruk; Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond; two Consultant Nephrologists at University Hospital of Wales and Spire Cardiff Hospital; Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University.