Reducing the Risk of Heat-related Morbidity and Mortality during Extreme Heat Events

Summary

This project provides a post-graduate research opportunity to work on a project aimed at evaluating cost-effective and energy-efficient interventions for reducing the risk of cardiovascular failure and heat exhaustion during heat waves with a focus on vulnerable groups (e.g. elderly) residing in large urban areas.

Supervisor(s)

Associate Professor Ollie Jay

Research Location

Exercise, Health and Performance Research Group

Program Type

Masters/PHD

Synopsis

Up to two post-graduate students (PhD or Masters) are sought to work on a project that will evaluate the efficacy of ecologically-valid and simple cooling interventions that can be used by those without access to air conditioning during heat waves. This work will potentially form part of a larger project re-evaluating public health guidance issued during extreme heat events. The mechanisms associated with physiological impairments in heat loss in the elderly may also be investigated. The project will be conducted in association with collaborators at the University of Sydney, and in the United States. The candidate(s) may also be given the opportunity to spend a semester at a leading collaborating laboratory in the United States during the course of their studies. The majority of their research will involve laboratory-based data collection using simulated thermal environments in the state-of-the-art climatic chamber situated at Cumberland campus.

Additional Information

This opportunity is open for application to highly motivated students looking to complete a post-graduate degree, with an interest and passion for physiology. Professional conduct, personal organisation, communication, written skill, a good basic knowledge of physiology and punctuality will be important.
Funding in the form of a scholarship may be available.

The successful applicant(s) will be based both at The Cumberland Campus and Main Campus under the supervision of Dr. Ollie Jay and Prof. Richard De Dear.

Keywords

thermoregulation, heat stress, sweating, hydration, heat waves, public health guidelines

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 1905

Other opportunities with Associate Professor Ollie Jay

• Obesity and Risk of Overheating during Physical Activity in the Heat
• Human heat acclimation for sporting events in different environments
• Body temperature regulation during pregnancy
• Are children at an elevated risk of overheating during exercise in the summer?
• Heat wave survival strategies for the elderly
• Preventing Heat Exhaustion in Professional Tennis (able-bodied and wheelchair)
• Cooling interventions for Multiple Sclerosis Patients in the Heat