Dr Robert Huckstepp

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick

Scientific Background

Research Interests

My research interests mainly focus on respiratory and cardiovascular neurobiology. Cardiorespiratory control is essential for life from before birth all the way through, except for the briefest of pauses, to death. The neural networks that control cardiorespiratory activity form a dynamic microcircuit that must continually monitor and adapt to a set of ever-changing vital parameters (such as blood gas and pH levels) to maintain homeostasis. This cardiorespiratory microcircuit therefore has many components, and is subject to numerous internal, external and sensory control mechanisms.

My research primarily focuses on the role of neurones and glia in the control of breathing, and how different groups of neurones within the respiratory network interact with one another to generate and pattern respiratory output. I have recently developing a model of sleep apnoea, to study the link between sleep disordered breathing and it's comorbidities.

I have collaborations: utilizing Inscopix microscopy to study the respiratory network; developing an algorithm to find apnoeas in respiratory recordings; studying biocompatibility of new compounds; investigating the effects of novel purinergic agonists/antagonists on cardiorespiratory physiology; identifying the role of tanycytes in feeding; and investigating the role of PKG1α in food reward.

I am the director of Post-doctoral affairs Director, Postdoctoral Affairs, co-lead the neuroscience cluster, and I sit on the JEDI committee. I am a member of the Royal Society of Biology, Sigma Xi, and the Alzheimer's research UK west midlands consortium, and I am a faculty member of F1000.

Research Groups

Neuroscience

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Laid-back, supportive, hands on.

Provision of Training

Given the type of science I do, and the legalities around it, I take responsibility for your technical training at first, and allowing guide to more independence at a pace that suits your specific circumstances.

Progression Monitoring and Management

We will meet to discuss expect progress and timelines. I will then give you the freedom to meet those deadlines, but will check in to make sure you are on course. I am not a micromanager, but I am there for you whenever you need me. Of course if you fall behind, I will take a more hands on approach.

Communication

I am quite busy and do a lot of catching up at the end of the day, once my kids go to bed, so I am known to email my team/PhD students at all hours of the day and night. However I will not expect you to do the same, unless there is a welfare issue, that we are legally obliged to deal with occurs, in which case you will need to be responsive at any time on any day of the week.

I communicate with my team, through different mediums depending on the urgency of the need. Email is for things that can wait, but whatsapp or text messing is used for urgent communication. I do this so that everybody knows how responsive they must be, that includes me when I am contacted by a member of the team, it makes it easy for me to know the urgency of the situation.

I am happy to discuss any issues that are impacting your ability to fulfil your potential or my/our expectations.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

It depends on what is happening in the lab. Group meetings normally occur about once every 2 weeks, but may be weekly or monthly, when needed

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 2 of PhD study

Once per week, if needed, it depends on the student

In year 3 of PhD study

Once per week, if needed, it depends on the student

These meetings will be preferably face to face but possibly via video chat or telephone. Given the nature of the work, I must be contactable for a response on every day of the week, including weekends.

Working Patterns

Where there is not a legal requirement, the timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and I expect students to manage their own time. As long as people hit their deadlines.

Certain tasks in my lab need to occur at set times for legal reasons, and students need to be able to commit to them.

Notice Period for Feedback

I need at least 1 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.

MIBTP Project Details

Previous Projects (2024-25)

Primary supervisor for:

Understanding the role of inhibition in the expiratory microcircuit

Previous Projects (2023-24)

Primary supervisor for:

Understanding the role of inhibition in the expiratory microcircuit