Dr Doug Thake is an internationally recognised Applied Human Physiologist with extensive experience of developing new understanding of exposure to extreme circumstances on aspects of human physiological function and performance. Specifically he has a strong body of work in understanding acute and chronic responses to altitude and heat (personal protective clothing). More recently he has studied cross-acclimation and cross-tolerance between these stressors in Humans. Amongst other things this work has potential implication for clinical intervention, military deployment and athletic performance. He has also lead research projects during two field expeditions to high altitude in the Nepal Himalaya.

Doug is skilled and experienced in brokering core ideas rooted in strong science to understand questions and evolve solutions for industrial clients. His work has impacted on and informed real-life bespoke solutions for clients including NP aerospace, Atomic Weapons Establishment and Jaguar Land Rover. Foci of this work include characterisation, evaluation and optimisation of human tolerance and performance whilst operating in personal protective clothing and developing vehicular based postural and thermal comfort systems.

Applied Human Physiology; Altitude; Heat; Cross Acclimation; Occupational Physiology

My work focuses on developing our understanding of the physiological and perceptual responses experienced by humans in extreme and changeable environments. This is conducted with a view to optimising safety, well-being and productivity in occupational, leisure and sporting contexts. It is envisaged that this general theme, alongside appropriate applied research work, will continue with an emphasis on experimental work to characterise tolerance to various environmental stressors (on an individual basis and in combination) and inform our understanding of adaptive mechanisms (physiological and biomolecular) when repeat exposures are experienced.