I am a PhD student and Research Associate working on the Heart Research UK funded project. I work within the School of Health and Life Sciences in supervision/ management of Professor Leah Avery. My primary research interests are cardiovascular diseases/ heart failure and physical activity/ exercise.

My background is in clinical exercise physiology (CEP) and I am a certified CEP under the American College of Sport Medicine. The overarching aim of my PhD was to develop a management approach using physical activity for people living with heart failure and this was developed using a theory- and evidence-based framework. The purpose of the research was to firstly quantify how physically active adults with heart failure are via a systematic review and meta-analysis. Secondly, explore the behavioural determinants, barriers, and facilitators of people with heart failure engaging in physical activity. This led to the systematic development and co-design process of the BeActive-HF intervention that targets physical activity behaviour and attendance at cardiac rehabilitation in people with heart failure. Finally, daily physical activity levels of people with heart failure living in the Northeast of England were assessed to ensure their baseline physical activity levels align with the intervention. 

I am now working as a Research Associate conducting a feasibility study on the BeActive-HF intervention. The intervention will be delivered by healthcare professionals (following training on the delivery of the intervention) involved in the care pathway of adults with heart failure. The feasibility and fidelity of the study will be assessed with qualitative interviews with healthcare professionals and adults with heart failure who received the intervention. Additionally, baseline and follow-up physical activity data will be assessed to explore the feasibiltiy of wearing a device-based monitor and assess potential preliminary intervention effects.