Position: Professor

Email: s.j.oliver@bangor.ac.uk

Phone: (01248) 38 3965

Location: Room 301, George Building, Normal Site

To book a student tutorial please visit: https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/SHESStaffTutorialandDropInHours@bangoroffice365.onmicrosoft.com/bookings/

Sam is a Professor and Director of the Institute for Applied Human Physiology (IAHP). Sam leads a research program that examines how human health and performance are affected by exercise, diet, sleep, and environmental stress e.g., hypoxia, heat, cold, ultraviolet radiation. In this field, he has published more than 65 full-length high-quality peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters.

Whilst completing this work Sam has established 9 knowledge exchange partnerships with business and industry, e.g., Sport Wales, Always Aim High, Mapei Sport, SurfSnowdonia, Remote Area Risk International & Blizzard Protection Systems Ltd. This work is impactful having influenced United Nations Environment Programme updates, wilderness and emergency medicine clinical practice guidelines, and changes to athlete, soldier, and emergency service personnel practices. For example, diet and supplement changes during arduous training. We have also developed preparatory acclimation strategies for performing in hot and altitude environments, and methods to improve prehospital cold casualty care. This has led to Sam’s invitation to the Military Education Committee, Mountain Rescue England & Wales research committee, and the Welsh Institute of Performance Sciences (WIPS). As the Environmental Physiology lead for WIPS Sam supports Sport Wales athletes to prepare for the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. 

Since 2008, Sam has mentored more than 25 PhD and MRes researchers (8 as primary supervisor). Sam is currently Associate Editor for Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, provides expert reviews for grant awarding bodies, Research Excellence Framework (REF) submissions, many journals, and has completed Ph.D. examination duties in the UK and Australia.

Professional Qualifications

PhD Exercise Physiology; MSc Applied Exercise Physiology; BSc (Hons) Sports Science; Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Undergraduate and Postgraduate Teaching Modules

Scientific Enquiry (JXH1051); Environmental Physiology (JXH3039); Project Proposal (JXC/JXH2041); Research Project (JXC/JXH3001); Dissertation (JXC/JXH3054); Research Project Proposal (JXH4009); Research Project (JXH4900); Dissertation Proposal (JXH4021); Dissertation (JXH4901); Applied interventions in Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences (JXH4402). 

Postgraduate Supervision

Since 2008 Sam has supervised more than 20 PhD & MRes researchers to the completion of their studies. 

Sam leads a research program that examines how human health and performance are affected by exercise, diet, sleep, and environmental stress e.g., hypoxia, heat, cold, ultraviolet radiation. This work is multi-disciplinary, combining integrative physiology with applied behavioural outcomes. In this field, he has published more than 60 full-length high-quality peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Much of this research has focused on the development of non-pharmacological interventions to alleviate the burden of exercise and environmental stress. This research is supported by Sam’s undergraduate and postgraduate students and is completed in state-of-the-art environmental chambers and field locations like Nepal, Himalayas (Press here for more information).

Editorial Duties

Sam is currently Associate Editor for Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism, and an editorial board member of Nutrients. Sam also regularly reviews for journals including Brain, Behavior and Immunity; British Journal of Nutrition; Comprehensive Physiology; European Journal of Sport Sciences; Journal of Applied Physiology; Nutrition; Wilderness and Environmental Medicine.

Consultancy

Sam has established 9 knowledge exchange partnerships with business and industry, e.g., Sport Wales, Always Aim High, Mapei Sport, SurfSnowdonia, Remote Area Risk International & Blizzard Protection Systems Ltd. Sam has also previously worked with several national and international athletes, expeditions, and businesses. Sam also contributes to TV and magazines like the BBC and Runners World.

I am willing to supervise students in Sport and Exercise Science; Sport Nutrition; Exercise Physiology; Environmental Physiology.