Dr Shane Heffernan

Senior Lecturer, Sport and Exercise Sciences

Email address

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Academic Office - A128
First Floor
Engineering East
Bay Campus
Available For Postgraduate Supervision

About

Dr. Heffernan completed an undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sport Science, holds an MSc in Exercise Physiology and a PhD in Molecular Genetics from Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) and a PGCtHE from Swansea University. While at MMU, he explored the molecular genetic variation of human phenotypes from performance physiology to soft tissue and brain injury, using elite athletes as the experimental model. At the same time, and working with MMU colleagues, he investigated the associations of gene variants with detailed in vivo human muscle phenotypes. In 2017, Shane was appointed to a Post-Doctoral research fellowship at University College Dublin (UCD), Ireland. At UCD, he investigated nutrition and nutraceutical interventions for inflammation and symptomatic change in knee joint Osteoarthritis.

He currently holds a visiting associate lectureship at the School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, UCD where he teaches on the Health and Performance Science degree (Molecular Exercise Science module; topic, Exercise and Sports Genomics).

Shane has collaborated with colleagues from across the globe and published in top academic Journals on topics such as mineral nutrition, molecular genetics, muscle and elite athlete physiology, Osteoarthritis and nutraceuticals. He is excited to continue and expand this work at Swansea University as a member of the Applied Sports Science Technology and Medicine Research Centre (A-STEM).

Areas Of Expertise

  • Nutrition and nutraceuticals for Osteoarthritis and knee pain
  • Mineral nutrition in health and athletic performance
  • Plant-based nutrition for health and muscle phenotypes
  • Male and female elite athlete physiology
  • Molecular exercise physiology

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

SR-143_Research Methods & Ethics

SR-146_Biomechanics & Technology B

SR-147_Strength & Conditioning

SR-333_Sport, Diet and Disease

SR-311_Sport and Exercise Science Research Dissertation

Research Award Highlights