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Dr Kate Edwards

Ph.D. University of Birmingham, UKBSc (HONS) Cardiff University, UK
Lecturer

C43K - K Block Cumberland Campus
The University of Sydney

Telephone 90367396
Fax 93519204

Biographical details

Kate's main interests involve the positive effects of exercise on immune function and health; her research involves the acute effects of a single exercise bout, and the chronic effects of exercise training.

In particular she is interested in how a short exercise task can enhance the response to vaccination, an effect she has shown in the responses to influenza, meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccines. This research has received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Action Medical Research, as well as media interest, including articles in the New York Times and ‘Men's Health' magazine. Kate is now focussed on the clinical applicability of this effect in different populations.

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Research interests

The role that ‘exercise as medicine' plays in health is a major part of Kate's research and teaching. She is interested in the effects of exercise training in chronic disease, and the role of immune modulation as a mechanism and as a monitoring tool. In addition her sport research includes examination of training effects on the immune response.Kate's work has developed into examination of other behavioural factors, such as sleep and psychological stress, on immune function and regulation in health and disease.

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Teaching and supervision

Kate's teaching focuses on exercise immunology, as well as application of exercise training in disease populations.

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Selected grants

2012

  • The impact of whole body cryotherapy and cold plunge pool exposure on muscle function, damage and immune and inflammatory markers after eccentric exercise; Caillaud C, Edwards K, Graham K, Siegler J; Australian Sports Commission/Research Support.
  • Boosting Influenza Vaccine Responses in the Elderly using a Brief Bout of Exercise; Edwards K; Sanofi Pasteur Australia/Research Support.

2011

  • Using a brief bout of exercise as a novel adjuvant to enhance the efficacy of pneumococcal vaccination in immunocompromised populations; Edwards K; Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation/Research Support.
  • Boosting influenza vaccinereponses in the eldery using a briecf bout of exercise; Edwards K; Clive & Vera Ramaciotti Foundation/Awards for Biomedical Research: Establishment Gifts.
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Selected publications

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Book Chapters

  • Edwards, K., Mills, P. (2011). Interaktionen zwischen dem endokrinen, dem zentralnervösen und dem Immunsystem (Interactions among the endocrine, central nervous and immune systems). In Ehlert, Ulrike & von Känel, Roland (Eds.), Psychoendokrinologie und Psychoimmunologie (Psychoendocrinology and psychoimmunology), (pp. 111-129). Berlin, Germany: Springer.
  • Burns, V., Phillips, A., Edwards, K. (2007). Vaccination. In George Fink (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Stress, (pp. 813-817). UK: Academic Press Elsevier.

Journals

  • Edwards, K., Pung, M., Tomfohr, L., Ziegler, M., Campbell, J., Drayson, M., Mills, P. (2012). Acute exercise enhancement of pneumococcal vaccination response: A randomised controlled trial of weaker and stronger immune response. Vaccine, 30(45), 6389-6395.
  • Wilson, K., Tomfohr, L., Edwards, K., Knott, C., Hong, S., Redwine, L., Calfas, K., Rock, C., von Kanel, R., Mills, P. (2012). Effects of aerobic fitness and adiposity on coagulation biomarkers in men vs. women with elevated blood pressure. European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, 2(2), 122-128.
  • Sadja, J., Tomfohr, L., Jimenez, J., Edwards, K., Rock, C., Calfas, K., Mills, P. (2012). Higher Physical Fatigue Predicts Adherence to a 12-Week Exercise Intervention in Women With Elevated Blood Pressure. Health Psychology, 31(2), 156-163.
  • Tomfohr, L., Edwards, K., Dimsdale, J. (2012). Is obstructive sleep apnea associated with cortisol levels? A systematic review of the research evidence. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 16(3), 243-249.
  • Tomfohr, L., Pung, M., Edwards, K., Dimsdale, J. (2012). Racial differences in sleep architecture: The role of ethnic discrimination. Biological Psychology, 89(1), 34-38.
  • Edwards, K., Campbell, J. (2011). Acute Exercise as an Adjuvant to Influenza Vaccination. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 5(6), 512-517.
  • Edwards, K., Wilson, K., Sadja, J., Ziegler, M., Mills, P. (2011). Effects on blood pressure and autonomic nervous system function of a 12-week exercise or exercise plus DASH-diet intervention in individuals with elevated blood pressure. Acta Physiologica, 203, 343-350.
  • Edwards, K., Tomfohr, L., Mills, P., Bosch, J., Ancoli-Israel, S., Loredo, J., Dimsdale, J. (2011). Macrophage Migratory Inhibitory Factor (MIF) May Be a Key Factor in Inflammation in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Sleep, 34(2), 161-163.
  • Shoucri, B., Edwards, K., Schmid-Schonbein, G., Mills, P. (2011). Plasma-stimulated pseudopod formation is increased in patients with elevated blood pressure. Hypertension Research, 34(6), 787-789.
  • Edwards, K., Bosch, J., Engeland, C., Cacioppo, J., Marucha, P. (2010). Elevated Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is associated with depressive symptoms, blunted cortisol reactivity to acute stress, and lowered morning cortisol. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 24(7), 1202-1208.
  • Edwards, K., Campbell, J., Ring, C., Drayson, M., Bosch, J., Downes, C., Long, J., Lumb, J., Merry, A., Paine, N., et al (2010). Exercise intensity does not influence the efficacy of eccentric exercise as a behavioural adjuvant to vaccination. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 24(4), 623-630.
  • Edwards, K., Sheu, B., Hong, S., Penn, A., Schmid-Schonbein, G., Mills, P. (2010). Leukocyte membrane bleb and pseudopod formation in hypertension. Journal of Human Hypertension, 24(10), 684-686.
  • Anane, L., Edwards, K., Burns, V., Veldhuijzen Van Zanten, J., Drayson, M., Bosch, J. (2010). Phenotypic characterization of cd T cells mobilized in response to acute psychological stress. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 24(4), 608-614.
  • Campbell, J., Edwards, K., Ring, C., Drayson, M., Bosch, J., Inskip, A., Long, J., Pulsford, D., Burns, V. (2010). The effects of vaccine timing on the efficacy of an acute eccentric exercise intervention on the immune response to an influenza vaccine in young adu. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 24(2), 236-242.
  • Bosch, J., de Geus, E., Carroll, D., Goedhart, A., Anane, L., Veldhuizen van Zanten, J., Helmerhorst, E., Edwards, K. (2009). A General Enhancement of Autonomic and Cortisol Responses During Social Evaluative Threat. Psychosomatic Medicine, 71(8), 877-885.
  • Aldred, S., Rohalu, M., Edwards, K., Burns, V. (2009). Altered DHEA and DHEAS response to exercise in healthy older adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 17(1), 77-88.
  • Anane, L., Edwards, K., Burns, V., Drayson, M., Riddell, N., Veldhuijzen Van Zanten, J., Wallace, G., Mills, P., Bosch, J. (2009). Mobilization of γδ T lymphocytes in response to psychological stress, exercise, and β-agonist infusion. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 23(6), 823-829.
  • Burns, V., Edwards, K., Ring, C., Drayson, M., Carroll, D. (2008). Complement Cascade Activation After an Acute Psychological Stress Task. Psychosomatic Medicine, 70(4), 387-396.
  • Edwards, K., Mills, P. (2008). Effects of estrogen versus estrogen and progesterone on cortisol and interleukin-. Maturitas, 61(4), 330-333.
  • Edwards, K., Burns, V., Adkins, A., Carroll, D., Drayson, M., Ring, C. (2008). Meningococcal A Vaccination Response is Enhanced by Acute Stress in Men. Psychosomatic Medicine, 70(2), 147-151.
  • O’Donoghue, P., Mayes, A., Edwards, K., Garland, J. (2008). Performance Norms for British National Super League Netball. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 3(4), 501-511.
  • Edwards, K., Burns, V., Allen, L., McPhee, J., Bosch, J., Carroll, D., Drayson, M., Ring, C. (2007). Eccentric exercise as an adjuvant to influenza vaccination in humans. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 21(2), 209-217.
  • Edwards, K. (2007). Reduction of Plasma sCD40L and Stimulated MIP-1-Alpha Production by in vivo Beta-Adrenergic Stimulation. Neuroimmunomodulation, 14(5), 266-271.
  • Edwards, K., Burns, V., Carroll, D., Drayson, M., Ring, C. (2007). The Acute Stress-Induced Immunoenhancement Hypothesis. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 35(3), 150-155.
  • Edwards, K., Ziegler, M., Mills, P. (2007). The potential anti-inflammatory benefits of improving physical fitness in hypertension. Journal of Hypertension, 25(8), 1533-1542.
  • Edwards, K., Burns, V., Reynolds, T., Carroll, D., Drayson, M., Ring, C. (2006). Acute stress exposure prior to inXuenza vaccination enhances antibody response in women. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 20(2), 159-168.
  • Edwards, K., Burns, V., Ring, C., Carroll, D. (2006). Individual differences in the interleukin-6 response to maximal and submaximal exercise tasks. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24(8), 855-862.
  • Edwards, K., Burns, V., Ring, C., Carroll, D. (2006). Sex differences in the interleukin-6 response to acute psychological stress. Biological Psychology, 71(3), 236-239.
  • Veldhuijzen Van Zanten, J., Ring, C., Burns, V., Edwards, K., Drayson, M., Carroll, D. (2004). Mental stress-induced hemoconcentration: Sex differences and mechanisms. Psychophysiology, 41(4), 541-551.

Reference Works

  • Burns, V., Phillips, A., Edwards, K. (2007). Vaccination. In George Fink (editor-in-chief) (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Stress (2nd edition), Vol. 3. (pp. 813-817). Amsterdam: Elsevier.

2012

  • Edwards, K., Pung, M., Tomfohr, L., Ziegler, M., Campbell, J., Drayson, M., Mills, P. (2012). Acute exercise enhancement of pneumococcal vaccination response: A randomised controlled trial of weaker and stronger immune response. Vaccine, 30(45), 6389-6395.
  • Wilson, K., Tomfohr, L., Edwards, K., Knott, C., Hong, S., Redwine, L., Calfas, K., Rock, C., von Kanel, R., Mills, P. (2012). Effects of aerobic fitness and adiposity on coagulation biomarkers in men vs. women with elevated blood pressure. European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine, 2(2), 122-128.
  • Sadja, J., Tomfohr, L., Jimenez, J., Edwards, K., Rock, C., Calfas, K., Mills, P. (2012). Higher Physical Fatigue Predicts Adherence to a 12-Week Exercise Intervention in Women With Elevated Blood Pressure. Health Psychology, 31(2), 156-163.
  • Tomfohr, L., Edwards, K., Dimsdale, J. (2012). Is obstructive sleep apnea associated with cortisol levels? A systematic review of the research evidence. Sleep Medicine Reviews, 16(3), 243-249.
  • Tomfohr, L., Pung, M., Edwards, K., Dimsdale, J. (2012). Racial differences in sleep architecture: The role of ethnic discrimination. Biological Psychology, 89(1), 34-38.

2011

  • Edwards, K., Campbell, J. (2011). Acute Exercise as an Adjuvant to Influenza Vaccination. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 5(6), 512-517.
  • Edwards, K., Wilson, K., Sadja, J., Ziegler, M., Mills, P. (2011). Effects on blood pressure and autonomic nervous system function of a 12-week exercise or exercise plus DASH-diet intervention in individuals with elevated blood pressure. Acta Physiologica, 203, 343-350.
  • Edwards, K., Mills, P. (2011). Interaktionen zwischen dem endokrinen, dem zentralnervösen und dem Immunsystem (Interactions among the endocrine, central nervous and immune systems). In Ehlert, Ulrike & von Känel, Roland (Eds.), Psychoendokrinologie und Psychoimmunologie (Psychoendocrinology and psychoimmunology), (pp. 111-129). Berlin, Germany: Springer.
  • Edwards, K., Tomfohr, L., Mills, P., Bosch, J., Ancoli-Israel, S., Loredo, J., Dimsdale, J. (2011). Macrophage Migratory Inhibitory Factor (MIF) May Be a Key Factor in Inflammation in Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Sleep, 34(2), 161-163.
  • Shoucri, B., Edwards, K., Schmid-Schonbein, G., Mills, P. (2011). Plasma-stimulated pseudopod formation is increased in patients with elevated blood pressure. Hypertension Research, 34(6), 787-789.

2010

  • Edwards, K., Bosch, J., Engeland, C., Cacioppo, J., Marucha, P. (2010). Elevated Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is associated with depressive symptoms, blunted cortisol reactivity to acute stress, and lowered morning cortisol. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 24(7), 1202-1208.
  • Edwards, K., Campbell, J., Ring, C., Drayson, M., Bosch, J., Downes, C., Long, J., Lumb, J., Merry, A., Paine, N., et al (2010). Exercise intensity does not influence the efficacy of eccentric exercise as a behavioural adjuvant to vaccination. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 24(4), 623-630.
  • Edwards, K., Sheu, B., Hong, S., Penn, A., Schmid-Schonbein, G., Mills, P. (2010). Leukocyte membrane bleb and pseudopod formation in hypertension. Journal of Human Hypertension, 24(10), 684-686.
  • Anane, L., Edwards, K., Burns, V., Veldhuijzen Van Zanten, J., Drayson, M., Bosch, J. (2010). Phenotypic characterization of cd T cells mobilized in response to acute psychological stress. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 24(4), 608-614.
  • Campbell, J., Edwards, K., Ring, C., Drayson, M., Bosch, J., Inskip, A., Long, J., Pulsford, D., Burns, V. (2010). The effects of vaccine timing on the efficacy of an acute eccentric exercise intervention on the immune response to an influenza vaccine in young adu. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 24(2), 236-242.

2009

  • Bosch, J., de Geus, E., Carroll, D., Goedhart, A., Anane, L., Veldhuizen van Zanten, J., Helmerhorst, E., Edwards, K. (2009). A General Enhancement of Autonomic and Cortisol Responses During Social Evaluative Threat. Psychosomatic Medicine, 71(8), 877-885.
  • Aldred, S., Rohalu, M., Edwards, K., Burns, V. (2009). Altered DHEA and DHEAS response to exercise in healthy older adults. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 17(1), 77-88.
  • Anane, L., Edwards, K., Burns, V., Drayson, M., Riddell, N., Veldhuijzen Van Zanten, J., Wallace, G., Mills, P., Bosch, J. (2009). Mobilization of γδ T lymphocytes in response to psychological stress, exercise, and β-agonist infusion. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 23(6), 823-829.

2008

  • Burns, V., Edwards, K., Ring, C., Drayson, M., Carroll, D. (2008). Complement Cascade Activation After an Acute Psychological Stress Task. Psychosomatic Medicine, 70(4), 387-396.
  • Edwards, K., Mills, P. (2008). Effects of estrogen versus estrogen and progesterone on cortisol and interleukin-. Maturitas, 61(4), 330-333.
  • Edwards, K., Burns, V., Adkins, A., Carroll, D., Drayson, M., Ring, C. (2008). Meningococcal A Vaccination Response is Enhanced by Acute Stress in Men. Psychosomatic Medicine, 70(2), 147-151.
  • O’Donoghue, P., Mayes, A., Edwards, K., Garland, J. (2008). Performance Norms for British National Super League Netball. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 3(4), 501-511.

2007

  • Edwards, K., Burns, V., Allen, L., McPhee, J., Bosch, J., Carroll, D., Drayson, M., Ring, C. (2007). Eccentric exercise as an adjuvant to influenza vaccination in humans. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 21(2), 209-217.
  • Edwards, K. (2007). Reduction of Plasma sCD40L and Stimulated MIP-1-Alpha Production by in vivo Beta-Adrenergic Stimulation. Neuroimmunomodulation, 14(5), 266-271.
  • Edwards, K., Burns, V., Carroll, D., Drayson, M., Ring, C. (2007). The Acute Stress-Induced Immunoenhancement Hypothesis. Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 35(3), 150-155.
  • Edwards, K., Ziegler, M., Mills, P. (2007). The potential anti-inflammatory benefits of improving physical fitness in hypertension. Journal of Hypertension, 25(8), 1533-1542.
  • Burns, V., Phillips, A., Edwards, K. (2007). Vaccination. In George Fink (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Stress, (pp. 813-817). UK: Academic Press Elsevier.
  • Burns, V., Phillips, A., Edwards, K. (2007). Vaccination. In George Fink (editor-in-chief) (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Stress (2nd edition), Vol. 3. (pp. 813-817). Amsterdam: Elsevier.

2006

  • Edwards, K., Burns, V., Reynolds, T., Carroll, D., Drayson, M., Ring, C. (2006). Acute stress exposure prior to inXuenza vaccination enhances antibody response in women. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 20(2), 159-168.
  • Edwards, K., Burns, V., Ring, C., Carroll, D. (2006). Individual differences in the interleukin-6 response to maximal and submaximal exercise tasks. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24(8), 855-862.
  • Edwards, K., Burns, V., Ring, C., Carroll, D. (2006). Sex differences in the interleukin-6 response to acute psychological stress. Biological Psychology, 71(3), 236-239.

2004

  • Veldhuijzen Van Zanten, J., Ring, C., Burns, V., Edwards, K., Drayson, M., Carroll, D. (2004). Mental stress-induced hemoconcentration: Sex differences and mechanisms. Psychophysiology, 41(4), 541-551.
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