DDRC Research

Gary Smerdon (Research Director)

Gary completed his first degree (BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences) and PhD (yeast biotechnology) at the University of Exeter in Devon. In 1991 he moved to the Plymouth Marine Laboratory where he spent 13 years as a molecular biologist developing research into oceanography and coastal shelf science. He learnt to dive at Fort Bovisand in 1996 and in 2003 he was appointed as Research Director at the Diving Diseases Research Centre where he now coordinates and develops DDRC’s research. Research at the Centre ranges from clinical trials to investigations of cellular responses to hyperbaric oxygen, in parallel with diving research involving psychology and general health studies.  The goal is to fully understand the impact and uses of altered pressure and altered gas environments, and to maximise their therapeutic potential for improving health.

Alexandra Bishop (Research nurse)

Ali completed her first degree at the University of Hertfordshire, obtaining a BSc (Hons) in Nursing and RN (Adult). She spent 4 years in the Royal Navy, with deployments in Sweden and the Gulf of Arabia. An experienced intensive care nurse, Ali joined DDRC in 2005 and quickly developed her role to include research in addition to standard nursing at the Centre. She coordinates clinical trials and is currently conducting her own research trial into the use of image capture and analysis for the monitoring of wound healing. She is currently studying for an MSc in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair at Cardiff University through Distance Learning with a view to graduating in 2010.

Lindsey Glew (PhD student)

Having started her career as a registered nurse, Lindsey completed a B.Sc degree with the Open University, followed by a 1st Class BSc (Hons) degree in Human Biosciences at the University of Plymouth. During her Honours course she was awarded the Oxford University Press Achievement Award in Biosciences and became fascinated by the research component of her studies. As a result she is now studying towards a PhD in a jointly supervised collaborative project between DDRC, the University of Plymouth and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The research is funded by DDRC and the Higher Education Innovation Fund and involves investigations into the way in which elevated oxygen levels assist in clearing infections in chronic wounds, addressing issues such as antibiotic resistance, cell-to-cell signalling in bacteria, and the role of biofilms.

Alexandra Kendall (PhD student)

Alex studied for her first degree within the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Plymouth where she achieved a 1st Class BSc (Hons) in Human Biosciences. She aspires to a career in bioscientific research and as the first step she is studying towards a PhD at the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry in Exeter.  Her project, co-funded by DDRC and the PCMD, is investigating the effect of hyperbaric oxygen on neutrophils (a type of white blood cell important for inflammation and wound healing).

Graham Samson (PhD student)

Graham completed his first degree at the University of Stirling, achieving a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology. To pursue his strong interests in research, psychology and diving he is now studying for a PhD looking at the effect of diving on brain function. The project is jointly funded by DDRC and Great Western Research and Graham is using the hyperbaric chambers at DDRC to conduct research dives using volunteers eager to experience a chamber dive whilst contributing to the knowledge base of the diving community.

Marguerite St Leger Dowse (Researcher)

Marguerite learnt to dive at Fort Bovisand and has dived worldwide. She joined DDRC in 1989, working inside the chamber with sick divers and non-diving patients. In the early 90s she lead the fundraising of £84 000 in 12 months to enable the purchase of the multiplace chamber which remains the mainstay of treatments at DDRC. Marguerite’s research specialises in field data – real world information from divers – and she has focussed on the effects of diving on women. Other topics have included diving and asthma, diving with diabetes, reverse dive profiles and flying after treatment for DCI. She was awarded the BSAC Duke of Edinburgh Prize for research in 1994 and again in 2006, being the only person to awarded the accolade twice. In 1999 she became an inaugural member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame (http://www.wdhof.org/) and in 2006 received the European Underwater and Baromedical Society’s Zetterstrom Award. Current research projects include studies into the general health of divers and a separate study investigating the reasons for delay in seeking help and treatment for decompression illness.