Professor Sam Lucas

Supervisor Details

Contact Details

School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham

Scientific Background

Research Interests

Professor Lucas is an integrative physiologist whose primary research focus is on the integrative mechanisms that regulate human cerebral blood flow in health and disease. He has a specific interest in how cerebral blood flow is regulated with ageing and during stress (esp. high altitude, thermal, orthostatic, exercise and cognitive) and how this impacts on function (e.g., neurophysiological and psychological/behavioural responses). His broader interests and expertise are in the areas of exercise and environmental physiology, as well as physical activity and health.

Current projects in the Lucas laboratory are focused on:

Investigating age-related and disease-related changes to the regulation of brain perfusion and the functional consequences.
Multimodal assessment of brain health.
Exercise strategies and complementary approaches (e.g., environmental stress, nutrition) that optimise health (esp. brain health).

Scientific Inspiration

My PhD supervisor (Prof Jim Cotter) – He is wise and humble, but also patient!

Research Groups

Centre of Human Brain Health (CHBH)

Supervision Style

In three words or phrases: Student-centred, collaborative, innovative.

Provision of Training

I prefer to take responsibility for your technical training at first, leading to more independence later. Throughout your training you’ll be supported by more experienced PhD students and postdocs working in the lab.

Progression Monitoring and Management

I like to work with my PhD students to set out the expectations of your progression on a monthly basis (can be weekly if work requires it at the point in the PhD). If these progression criteria are not met, we will discuss a plan of action together to decide the best course of action to meet the objectives of your project and PhD.

Communication

I am known to email my team/PhD students at all hours of the day and night, as I work flexibly to manage my work-life balance. I encourage my students to find a balance between work and life, so don’t expect emails outside of the hours they plan to work.

PhD Students can expect scheduled meetings with me:

In a group meeting

At least once per week

In year 1 of PhD study

At least once per week

In year 2 of PhD study

At least once per fortnight

In year 3 of PhD study

At least once per fortnight

The meetings will be a mixture of face to face and via video chat or telephone, and I am usually contactable for an instant response (if required) on every working day.

Working Pattern

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

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

Current Projects (2025-26)

Primary supervisor for:

In vitro and in vivo vascular response to exercise-induced changes in blood flow

See the PhD Opportunities section to see if this project is currently open for applications via MIBTP.

Please Note: The main page lists projects via BBSRC Research Theme(s) quoted and then relevant Topic(s).

In vitro and in vivo vascular response to exercise-induced changes in blood flow

Secondary Supervisor(s): Dr Helen McGettrick

University of Registration: University of Birmingham

BBSRC Research Themes: Integrated Understanding of Health (Ageing, Diet and Health)

Project Outline

The global population is ageing and becoming increasingly sedentary, both of which have negative implications for vascular health. Interventions that target vascular function have the potential to protect against age-related cognitive decline, prevent stroke and lower the risk of neurovascular and cardiovascular disease, thus reducing the global economic burden associated with an ageing population and sedentary lifestyle. Traditionally, vascular function has been treated by medication, however non-clinical strategies can also be implemented, including the use of supplements, improved diet and increased regular exercise, often delivered collectively in the form of “lifestyle interventions”. Improved understanding of how such lifestyle interventions facilitate better function is vital for optimising their effectiveness.

Specifically, exercise has been shown to stimulate beneficial changes to the vasculature, through acute responses in nitric oxide bioavailability, growth factor release and anti-inflammatory effects. Chronically this results in improved vascular function, vasodilatory capacity and reduced vascular inflammation, all of which positively influence general vascular health and disease prognosis. Although increased physical activity, in general, has a beneficial impact on vascular health, how different exercise intensities and modalities influence the adaptive response via variations in blood flow-induced adaptive signalling (e.g. shear stress and cyclic strain) are poorly understood. Further, adjunct approaches (e.g. exercise under added environmental stress (e.g. hydrostatic) and/or nutraceutical supplementation) may provide more targeted interventions that could optimise the exercise-induced adaptive response, especially for those unable to meet traditional exercise recommendations. To support such initiatives, clear mechanistic evidence of the key signalling responses and biomarkers of change is vital.

This project will aim to identify the differences in cerebral and peripheral vascular function during exercise at different intensities and with different environmental conditions, whilst assessing the impact this has on key signalling, inflammatory and vasodilatory factors. Building on recent work, the first of these studies will determine the effects of different exercise intensity and duration on cerebrovascular responses, along with the signalling and inflammatory responses that occur in response to exercise. We will then investigate whether differences in the exercise response are seen between younger and older populations, as well as how changes in environmental conditions may alter the exercise-induced vascular response.

This project will also utilise our in vitro shear stress model to further understanding of the impact of different shear stress profiles elicited from different exercise stimuli at the cellular level. To date, few studies have examined exercise-induced shear stress beyond that of a single flow pattern on the acute endothelial response. To address this, we are establishing a model that can be maintained within an incubator for a prolonged period, and which can emulate a wide range of different flow patterns in order to translate the differences we observed within human studies. This model will provide a platform for rapidly testing the impact of different environmental factors and media additives in future studies. Flow patterns from this project will contribute to this model development.

References

Burley et al (2016). Brain train to combat brain drain; focus on exercise strategies that optimise neuroprotection. Experimental Physiology, 101 (9), 1178-1184.

Weaver et al. (2021) Cerebral Hemodynamic and Neurotrophic Factor Responses Are Dependent on the Type of Exercise. Front. Physiol. 11:609935.

Weaver et al. (2022). Non-pharmacological interventions for vascular health and the role of the endothelium. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 122(12):2493-2514.