The GSK Human Performance Lab PhD Students

Recovery and adaptation with a concurrent exercise paradigm

Lee joined the GSK Human Performance Lab Team in September 2014, following his role at UK Sport on the Research & Innovation Team. Lee had a range of experience working with elite performers, providing performance solutions across the London 2012 and Sochi 2014 Olympic Games, with the majority of his applied experience focusing on work with the GB Skeleton and GB Bobsleigh Teams. Lee now works as part of the science team supporting HPL R&D with various partners, whilst studying for a PhD with Northumbria University.

The effect of different exercise modalities and extreme environments on cognitive function, mood and physical performance. 

Sarah has been a part of the team at the GSK Human Performance Lab since starting in October 2014. Prior to her role at the HPL, Sarah completed her Master’s degree in Sports Science with her research predominantly surrounding the mechanisms of fatigue, pacing strategies and the influence of heuristic processes on sports performance. Sarah now works as part of the science team delivering diagnostic sports science support to the HPL’s elite partner’s whilst contributing to R&D output through her doctoral research investigating cognitive function in elite sports performers and extreme environment athletes. 

Recovery and adaptation

Josh joined the GSK Human Performance Lab after studying for an MRes degree at Nottingham Trent University. His initial role within the science team was primarily to support across a range of R&D discovery projects, whilst also contributing to the delivery of science support to the HPL’s elite performance partners. In combination with this role, Josh is now studying for a PhD with a research focus on investigating the role of specificity in applying recovery strategies for acute recovery and chronic adaptation. As part of this research, the project aims to provide insights into enhancing our understanding of the process of inflammation, pain, and tissue repair following different exercise stressors and to inform future clinical studies.

Decision making and skill acquisition 

Before joining the HPL team in 2014, Javid studied applied sport and exercise psychology MSc at Bangor University, researching on anticipation and decision making in elite footballers. After graduating, he worked as a Research Assistant for the Causal Network in Football project at the Max Planck Institute. At the HPL, Javid researches on cognitive training using scientific methods to find ways to improve performance in elite sports, as well as working with the science team delivering diagnostic sports science support to the HPL’s partners. Javid is also a Premier League, AIPS and UEFA accredited sport journalist.