Chris is a Reader in Exercise & Cardiovascular Physiology within the Cardiff School of Sport & Health Sciences, and leads the Clinical Application & Translation Research & Innovation Group within CURIAD.

The global aim of his research programme is to examine how regular exercise and physical activity can effectively prevent, manage and treat cardiometabolic disease across the lifespan. His research focusses primarily on the chronic and acute effects of exercise on peripheral, central and cerebral artery function and haemodynamics in a diverse range of populations, including paediatric, elite athletic, ageing and high-risk disease states. Chris has extensive track record in the design and administration of exercise interventions in a variety of clinical populations and has lead several randomized controlled exercise trials. He also has in-depth expertise in advanced imaging techniques, including ultrasound and MRI, for early detection of occult cardiometabolic disease and evaluation of the therapeutic effects of distinct exercise training modalities, heat therapy, water immersion and novel pharmaceuticals, as strategies to reduce cardiometabolic risk in vulnerable and aging populations. Accordingly, his research is very closely aligned to National and International strategic health agendas focussed on reducing overall disease burden, including the World Health Organisation’s commitment to preventing and treating non-communicable disease across the globe.

Chris has built an international network of leading collaborators across science, healthcare, and industry, securing over £2.5 million in competitive research funding. He serves on multiple expert panels on physical activity and cardiometabolic health and is the Wales lead for the global May Measure Month blood pressure awareness campaign.