Dr Kath Nicol (PhD, BSc in Biological Sciences, Cert. HE in teaching) is a Lecturer in the Dietetics, Nutrition & Biological Sciences, Physiotherapy, Podiatry & Radiography Division.
- Overview
- Research Interests
- Research Publications
- Teaching & Learning
I graduated with a First-Class Honours degree in Biological Sciences from Napier University in 1988, followed by a PhD in auditory neuroanatomy and physiology from Keele University, Department of Communication and Neuroscience in 1992. I presented my research at international conferences including Inner Ear Biology and Association for Research in Otolaryngology, and I have publications in Neuroscience and Hearing Research Journals. As my Doctoral and postdoctoral research combined electron microscopy with physiological responses to aminoglycoside antibiotics, I have in depth understanding of links between structure and function. My BSc and Doctoral research fuelled my fascination with how the human body works in health and illness. For my BSc Honours project, I investigated relation between Type A behaviour and blood pressure in pre-school children, underpinning my continued interest in relation between behaviour and physiological responses.
My lecturing career spans 3 decades, with appointments in 6 Universities during which I have developed undergraduate and postgraduate students in allied health professions and nursing to apply human physiology and pharmacology to inform clinical practice. I have been a lecturer in physiology at QMU since 2004 with a concurrent appointment as an Associate Lecturer in STEM with the Open University where I have mentored several colleagues. At QMU, my leadership skills have been evidenced in leading the development of physiology and pharmacology modules in the School of Health Sciences Division of DPPR. I have been a programme leader on the MSc (pre-registration) Physiotherapy programme, and I am currently co-lead on the MSc Advancing Professional Practice Framework. I am passionate about supporting students in an online learning environment, combining my skills from my Open University post with my Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ appointment. I lead the longitudinal induction programme in the MSc Advancing Professional Practice Framework, facilitating development of learning in an online environment for post registration Allied Health Professionals and Nurses who are advancing their careers in the four pillars of professional practice. My current research interests include investigating physiological responses to green exercise and I am a member of the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research (CHEARR) group as well as supervising undergraduate and postgraduate dissertation students in Physiotherapy, Nutrition, Dietetics and Sports Rehabilitation. It is a privilege to continue to develop my lecturing career at QMU, to work with colleagues to support lifelong learning for students in the School of Health Sciences.
Affiliations/Memberships to Other Organisations:
Associate lecturer with the Open University
Research/Knowledge Exchange Centre Membership:
Centre for Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research (CHEARR)
My Doctoral programme investigated structural and functional repair mechanisms in the inner ear following aminoglycoside antibiotic-induced ototoxicity.
More recently, I have worked with physiotherapy colleagues to investigate barriers to physical activity engagement in people with schizophrenia and I supervised a Masters project that investigated interventions for falls prevention in patients with moderate dementia. I was Director of studies for an Occupational Therapy Doctoral investigation into identification and incidence of delirium in patients who have sustained stroke.
Active Research Interests:
Barriers and facilitators to physical activity uptake in people with altered mental health states.
Physiological responses to green exercise
Physical activity and neurogenesis
Research Methods:
Quantitative and qualitative data collection
Applied human physiology and Pharmacology for undergraduate and postgraduate students in Dietetics, Nutrition, Physiotherapy and Podiatry
Research methods and dissertation supervision at undergraduate and postgraduate, pre-registration and post-registration level in the School of Health Sciences.
Program Leader:
MSc Advancing Professional Practice Framework
