Anthony Shepherd
Also known as: Ant
University of Portsmouth, University of Exeter Medical School, Unviersity of Exeter
Research areas: Medicine · Physiology · Cardiovascular and exercise physiology · Nitric Oxide and Endothelin Effects · Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances
0000-0001-6392-7944
About
Ant Shepherd is Professor of Clinical Environmental Physiology at the University of Portsmouth. He completed his BSc (Hons) in Sports Science and MSc in Exercise Rehabilitation at Bangor University before being awarded a PhD from the University of Exeter in 2015. Following postdoctoral appointments within the University of Exeter Medical School, he joined the University of Portsmouth in 2016.
His research examines the interaction between environmental stressors and human health, with a particular focus on the physiological responses to heat exposure. He leads multidisciplinary research aimed at understanding how heat can act both as a therapeutic intervention and as a significant health risk. His work spans laboratory-based mechanistic investigations through to applied clinical trials and public health research.
Alongside his research, Ant supervises doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, teaches across physiology and clinical science programmes, and collaborates with healthcare providers, policy-makers and industry partners to translate research findings into practical applications that improve health outcomes.
Ant's research focuses on a fundamental physiological paradox: similar thermal stimulus that can improve health and resilience when applied in a controlled manner can become harmful when exposure is chronic. Through clinical and mechanistic studies, he investigates how heat influences cardiovascular, metabolic and cellular function, seeking to understand why heat-based interventions such as sauna bathing can confer therapeutic benefit, while environmental heat stress contributes to adverse health outcomes and excess mortality. Ultimately, this work aims to define the biological pathways that separate adaptation from maladaptation.
Drawing upon techniques from environmental physiology, clinical science and translational medicine, Ant investigates the cellular, vascular and metabolic pathways that determine whether heat exposure promotes adaptation and resilience or contributes to physiological strain and disease. Particular areas of interest include thermoregulatory function, cardiovascular adaptation, metabolic health, inflammation, and the impact of environmental stress on vulnerable populations.
Ultimately, his work aims to identify the mechanisms through which heat influences human health, enabling the development of safe and effective heat-based therapies while informing strategies to mitigate the growing health risks posed by climate change and rising global temperatures.
Employment
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University of Portsmouth Academic, Professor, Professor of Clinical Environmental Physiology2026 - Present
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University of Portsmouth Academic2025 - Present
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University of Portsmouth Associate2016 - Present
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University of Portsmouth Lecturer2016 - Present
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University of Exeter Medical School Associate Research and Teaching Fellow2015 - 2016
Education
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Unviersity of Exeter PhD2011 - 2015
Projects & Funding
Projects & funding information is unavailable.
Publications (56)
- Dose-response effects of chlorhexidine mouthwash on salivary and vascular outcomes Save
- Thermophysiological and perceptual responses to exercise heat stress in people with cystic fibrosis on Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor Save
- Chlorhexidine mouthwash differentially affects salivary proteomics in dental erosion Save
- Acute dietary nitrate supplementation attenuates caffeine-induced increase in arterial stiffness in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial Save
- Effect of repeated hot water immersion on cognitive performance, cerebrovascular function, sleep and biomarkers of neurodegeneration in older adults Save
- Effect of repeated hot water immersion on muscle strength, power, function and physical activity in healthy older adults: a randomised crossover trial Save
- The effects of nitrate on brown fat fraction and activation in older adults with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial Save
- The dose–response effects of nitrate-rich beetroot ingestion on cardiovascular and endothelial function: a randomised controlled trial Save
- Physiotherapist-led weight management for people with osteoarthritis: a scoping review Save
- Cardiovascular function in people with cystic fibrosis on Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor: A cross-sectional, observational, single-centre study Save
- Head‐down tilt lithotomy position and well‐leg compartment syndrome: an international survey of current practice Save
- The effect of intact vs hydrolysed collagen on recovery from exercise induced muscle damage: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial Save
- Peripheral muscle function and body composition in people with cystic fibrosis on Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor: a cross‐sectional single‐centre study Save
- Ketone monoester ingestion improves cardiac function in adults with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomised, crossover trial Save
- The effect of repeated hot water immersion on vascular function, blood pressure and central haemodynamics in individuals with Type 2 diabetes mellitus Save
- Impact of nocturnal hypoxia on glycaemic control, appetite, gut microbiota and inflammation in adults with T2DM: A single-blind crossover trial Save
- Device-based 24-hour movement behaviours in adult phase III cardiac rehabilitation service-users during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods prospective observational study Save
- Cardiac dysfunction in dialysing adults with end‐stage kidney disease is associated with exercise intolerance: A pilot observational study Save
- Understanding the factors that influence stroke survivors to begin or resume exercise: a qualitative exploration Save
- Nitrate ingestion blunts the increase in blood pressure during cool air exposure: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover trial Save