Dr Christopher Gaffney

Senior Lecturer in Integrative Physiology

Research Overview

My research seeks to understand the basic physiology and metabolism that underpins disease, health, and athletic performance. Research in my lab encompasses molecular work using cells and the model organism C. elegans, through to human-based trials. My current work investigates the impact and mechanisms of physiological stress imparted by ageing, surgery, and spaceflight or ground-based analogues. Work in my group is supported by funding from UKRI, NIHR, charities, and the Ministry of Defence.

I am a BASES-accredited Sports and Exercise Scientist (Physiology Research), a member of the European College of Sports Science (ECSS) Reviewing Panel, and the Physiological Society Rep for Lancaster University. I am also an Editorial Board member of Scientific Reports.

Team Nutrition Masters
15/01/2024 → 14/01/2025
Research

SL: Edge-based human augmentation technology
01/10/2023 → 31/12/2024
Research

Co-production in health inequality research - Manchester BRC (Donna Shrestha)
01/05/2023 → 28/02/2024
Research

Mapping and Identifying Quality and Inequality in Prehabilitation for Cancer Surgery: Evidence for Improvement
01/06/2022 → 31/05/2025
Research

DSI: Effective Diagnosis and Treatment of Age-related Disease Through Time-varying Modelling
01/03/2021 → 30/09/2024
Research

EPSRC PhD Studentship (£66,336) MSI: VCSEL-based spectroscopy for next generation non-invasive and wearable glucose monitoring
01/10/2020 → 01/10/2023
Research

Comparing the musculoskeletal stress effects on surgeons of performing Laparoscopic vs. Robot assisted Laparoscopic procedures
01/01/2020 → 30/09/2021
Research

Determining the minimal amount of acute exercise to increase glycaemic control in young and old overweight males
01/09/2018 → 30/09/2022
Research

Minimum amount of acute exercise to improve control of blood glucose in Type 2 Diabetes
01/08/2018 → 31/08/2023
Research

Training the motor cortex during limb immobilization
02/01/2018 → 26/04/2021
Research

Establishing molecular mechanisms of and countermeasures to muscle decline in space
01/12/2016 → 31/08/2021
Research

FHM PhD Studentship - Repurposing gemfibrozil as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (£66,336)
01/01/1900 → …
Research

NIHR PhD Studentship - Can prehabilitation be repurposed across the NHS for more effective care of reconstructive plastic surgery patients? (£66,336)
01/01/1900 → …
Research

NIHR PhD Studentship: Can prehabilitation be repurposed across the NHS for more effective care of pancreatic cancer? (£66,336)
01/01/1900 → …
Research

Prehabilitation MD Tuition fees (ELHT) (£10,654)
01/01/1900 → …
Research

SL: Edge-based human augmentation technology
01/01/1900 → …
Research

SL: Edge-based human augmentation technology
01/01/1900 → …
Research

Surgical stress (MURALS) MD Tuition fees (£10,654) (ELHT)
01/01/1900 → …
Research

Exercise as medicine across the lifespan
Invited talk

Neurophysiological adaptation to immobilisation
Invited talk

Food and Chemical Toxicology (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Journal of Translational Medicine (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Frontiers in Physiology (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Inspiring Minds Webinar 3: Why would a Sports and Exercise Scientist work for NASA?
Types of Public engagement and outreach - Festival/Exhibition

Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Celebrating sport and exercise science education to promote lifelong health and the Welsh economy
Other

International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Promoting the breadth and impact of sport and exercise sciences research
Other

Lausanne University
Visiting an external academic institution

Constructing a Life on Mars (CaloM)
Participation in workshop, seminar, course

Advance HE Integrated Course in Sport and Exercise Science
Participation in workshop, seminar, course

The Physiological Society and GuildHE's parliamentary reception and report launch, Sport & Exercise Science Education: Impact on the UK economy
Other

Sports (Journal)
Publication peer-review

4wardFutures
Consultancy

University Academy 92 (External organisation)
Member of Advisory Panel

Sports Medicine - Open (Journal)
Publication peer-review

External Examiner for MRes
Examination

Journal of Neurology & Neuromedicine (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Nutrition workshops
Participation in workshop, seminar, course

External Examiner for MSc Football Science and Rehabilitation
Examination

University Academy 92 (External organisation)
Member of Advisory Panel

Texas Tech University
Visiting an external academic institution

Journals of Gerontology, Series A (Journal)
Publication peer-review

Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism (Journal)
Publication peer-review

22nd Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS)
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

21st International C. elegans conference
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

Insulin and exercise signalling for glucose homeostasis and metabolic health
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (Journal)
Publication peer-review

The Rank Prize Funds: Implications to Ageing Processes and people
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism (Journal)
Publication peer-review

British Society for Research on Ageing (BSRA)
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

20th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

U21 Graduate Research Conference
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS) XXXVII Congress
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

19th International C. elegans Meeting
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

Survival and Flight Equipment Association Europe (SAFE) Symposium 2011
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience

An overview of Prehabilitation
Invited talk

  • Experimental Medicine