Dr Kate Edwards
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Qualifications: Ph.D. University of Birmingham, UK BSc (HONS) Cardiff University, UK
Positions held:
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Biography
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.
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.
Finally, 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.
Teaching and Service Responsibilities
Kate's teaching focuses on exercise immunology, as well as application of exercise training in disease populations.
Research Opportunities
Selected Publications
- Edwards, K. M., Tomfohr, L. M., Mills, P. J., Bosch, J. A., Ancoli-Israel, S., Loredo, J. S. & Dimsdale, J. 2011. Macrophage migratory inhibitory factor (MIF) may be a key factor in inflammation in obstructive sleep apnea. SLEEP, 34, 161-3.
- Edwards, K. M., Campbell, J. P., Ring, C., Drayson, M. T., Bosch, J. A., Downes, C., Long, J. E., Lumb, J. A., Merry, A., Paine, N. J. & Burns, V. E. 2010. Exercise intensity does not influence the efficacy of eccentric exercise as a behavioural adjuvant to vaccination. Brain Behavior and Immunity, 24, 623-30.
- Aldred, S., Rohalu, M., Edwards, K.M. & Burns, V. 2009. Altered DHEA and DHEAS response to exercise in healthy older adults. Journal of Aging Physiology Act, 17, 77-88.
- Bosch, J. A., De Geus, E. J., Carroll, D., Goedhart, A. D., Anane, L. A., Van Zanten, J. J., Helmerhorst, E. J. & Edwards, K. M. 2009. A general enhancement of autonomic and cortisol responses during social evaluative threat. Psychosomatic Medicine, 71, 877-85.
- Edwards, K. M., Burns, V. E., Adkins, A. E., Carroll, D., Drayson, M. & Ring, C. 2008. Meningococcal A vaccination response is enhanced by acute stress in men. Psychosomatic Medicine, 70, 147-51.
- Edwards, K. M., Burns, V. E., Allen, L. M., Mcphee, J. S., Bosch, J. A., Carroll, D., Drayson, M. & Ring, C. 2007a. Eccentric exercise as an adjuvant to influenza vaccination in humans. Brain Behavior and Immunity, 21, 209-17.
- Edwards, K. M., Burns, V. E., Carroll, D., Drayson, M. & Ring, C. 2007b. The acute stress-induced immunoenhancement hypothesis. Exercise Sport Science Reviews, 35, 150-5.
- Edwards, K. M., Ziegler, M. G. & Mills, P. J. 2007c. The potential anti-inflammatory benefits of improving physical fitness in hypertension. J Hypertension, 25, 1533-42.
Selected Grants
- Using Exercise to Improve Pneumococcal Vaccination Efficacy. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation ‘Grand Challenges Explorations'. Kate M Edwards, Paul J. Mills. $100,000 (2009-2011)
- The Efficacy of Eccentric Exercise as a Behavioural Adjuvant to Influenza Vaccination. Action Medical Research, Victoria E. Burns, Kate M. Edwards, Mark T. Drayson, Christopher Ring. £104,000 (2007-2010)
- Sex differences in the response to acute stress- review. Unilever Research. Kate M Edwards, £5,000 (2006)
- Sweat Responses to Psychological Stress. Unilever Research. Victoria Burns, Anna Phillips, Kate M. Edwards, Toby Mundel. £40,000 (2006-2007)