Personal profile
Biography
Alex is a lecturer in physiology who joined UEA's Norwich Medical School in 2019.
After completing his undergraduate degree in sports biomedicine at the University of Dundee, Alex studied exercise physiology as a postgraduate and has subsequently undertaken several years of postdoctoral research. Alex had the privilege of being a member of the Extremes Research Group at Bangor University and Endurance Research Group at the University of Kent. Alex started working on multidisciplinary, UK Ministry of Defence research programmes in 2014, with findings used to support policy. Alex has worked closely with colleagues within Norwich Clinical Trials Unit to implement clinical trials with volunteer participants. Alex is motivated to better understand the physiology underlying human health and physical performance, with interests in the impact of exercise and nutrition. Alex is passionate about sharing his enthusiasm for applied physiology with his peers and the next generation of doctors, healthcare professionals, and researchers.
Alex is an editorial board member of Physiology News — The Physiological Society’s magazine featuring latest developments in physiology research, education, and policy.
Publications: Google Scholar / ResearchGate
Previous appointments at UEA:
- Senior research associate, Norwich Medical School (2019-2024).
- Lecturer in physiology, School of Health Sciences (2023-2024).
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, Bangor University
Master of Science, Bangor University
Bachelor of Science, University of Dundee
Postgraduate Certificate Clinical Education, University of East Anglia
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Finished
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The Role of PTH in treatment of Stress Fractures in Army Recruits
Fraser, W., Shepstone, L., Alibert, L., Colles, A., Goodall, K., Leavey, N., Pond, M., Sims, E., Stirling, S., Swart, A. M., Carswell, A., Dutton, J., Piec, I., Tang, J. & Washbourne, C.
1/03/18 → 31/01/22
Project: Research
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Folate and B12 status in women during British Army basic training: a prospective cohort study exploring implications for endurance performance and bone density and metabolism
O’Leary, T. J., Waters, H. L., Coombs, C. V., Jackson, S., Izard, R. M., Walsh, N. P., Carswell, A. T., Oliver, S. J., Tang, J. C. Y., Fraser, W. D. & Greeves, J. P., 13 Feb 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: British Journal of Nutrition. p. 1-27Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Caffeine exacerbates exercise-induced gut cell damage and is influenced by ADORA2A genotype but not CYP1A2 genotype: A preliminary study
Davison, G., Carswell, A. T., Baron, P. & Martinez-Gonzalez, B., 19 Nov 2025, In: Physiological Reports. 13, 22, e70673.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
Hormonal contraceptive use and physical performance, body composition, and musculoskeletal injuries during military training
O'Leary, T. J., Evans, H. A., Close, M-E. O., Izard, R. M., Walsh, N. P., Coombs, C. V., Carswell, A. T., Oliver, S. J., Tang, J. C. Y., Fraser, W. D. & Greeves, J. P., Mar 2025, In: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 57, 3, p. 613-624 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Citations (Scopus)1 Downloads (Pure) -
Vitamin D and tibial bone density, geometry, and microarchitecture in male military recruits: An observational study and randomized controlled trial
O'Leary, T. J., Izard, R. M., Jackson, S., Walsh, N. P., Carswell, A. T., Oliver, S. J., Allan, D., Rhodes, L. E., Tang, J. C. Y., Fraser, W. D. & Greeves, J. P., Jul 2025, In: Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 40, 7, p. 847–859 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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William D. Fraser (1955-2025)
Carswell, A., Chipchase, A., Dervisevic, S., Dutton, J., Eastman, K. G., Green, D., Greeves, J., Horwood, N., John, G., Piec, I., Ralston, S. H., Schoenmakers, I., Tang, J. C. Y., Turner, J., Washbourne, C. & Webb, E., Jul 2025, In: Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 40, 7, p. 904–905 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
Open AccessFile33 Downloads (Pure)