Professor Katya Mileva

I am a Professor in Human Neurophysiology and also hold a Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy. My MSc and PhD degrees in Biomedical Engineering were completed with magna cum laude at the Electrotechnical University 'LETI' in St Petersburg, Russia. Before Joining LSBU as a Senior Research Fellow in 2001, I worked for 10 years at the Institute of Biophysics of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in collaboration with medics, physicists, molecular biologists and engineers on projects investigating the intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing the excitability and the contractility of isolated skeletal muscle fibres and single motor units.

My scientific expertise is in neurophysiology, biomedical engineering, and sport and exercise sciences. In my research I apply interdisciplinary approach to improve understanding of the integrative behaviour of the human physiological systems in health and pathology (disease or injury). I am proficient in a wide range of neuromechanical, psychophysiological and cardiorespiratory methodologies. These create opportunities for research, collaborations and consultancy on topics related to human health and performance across the lifespan. My collaborations create contemporary topics for research-informed and innovative lectures, workshops and projects, extracurricular and CPD learning opportunities.
My recent projects explore the mechanisms underlying central and peripheral fatigue, and the health benefits from physical activity, nutrition, physical modalities, environmental and social factors. I was invited to write a chapter in the ‘Manual of Vibration Exercise and Vibration Therapy’ (2020, Springer Nature) overviewing the Supraspinal Responses and Spinal Reflexes to human body vibration. I also recently worked with the Scientific Department of the BBC on episode 2 of the programme ‘Truth about cosmetic treatments’, which explored the benefits from the latest weight loss technology using infrared light.
I am also an expert in physical activity policy and routes to impact with extensive experience as a consultant to sports governing bodies, charities, start-ups, and businesses on the design, development and evaluation of novel health-, performance- and fitness-enhancing technology and programs. I have also acted as an expert advisor to national and international regulatory agencies such as the Charity Commission (UK), Food and Drug Administration (USA), Therapeutic Goods Administration (Australia), Advertising Standard Agency (UK). I have written 19 reports from research commissioned by industrial partners and am a named researcher on 3 patents. My publications underpin both impact case studies submitted by LSBU to REF2014 in sport and exercise sciences, which were rated of international and world-leading quality and significance (3*/4*; GPA 3.40).
In 2019 a team of LSBU researchers led by me completed a project funded by Sport England and Lambeth Council and inspired by Sport England’s national campaign ‘This Girl Can’ to design effective programs promoting increased and sustainable engagement of young females in physical activity. The outcomes from this project underpinned one impact case study submitted by LSBU to REF2021. The team also contributes to an interdisciplinary expert consortium at LSBU (PHIRST South Bank), awarded £2.4M funding support from NIHR to evaluate local government schemes across the UK.

Lead of the Sport and Exercise Science Research Centre (SESRC)
Lead on LSBU's submission to Unit of Assessment 24 of REF2021
Lead on LSBU's submission to Unit of Assessment 26 of REF2014
Member of the Research Board of Study
Member of the Research Concordat Advisory Group (LSBU)

Sport Physiology and Nutrition
Research Methods
Final Year Research Project
Environmental Physiology and Metabolism
Clinical Perception and Action
Physical Activity and Health