Dr Meegan Walker | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Dr Meegan Walker

Dr Meegan Walker

PhD Sunshine Coast, BHK(Exercise Science)Br.Col., MSc (Exercise Physiology) Calg., Accredited Exercise Physiologist (ESSA)

Lecturer, Exercise Physiology

School of Health

Discipline Representative, Learning & Teaching

Email: mwalker@usc.edu.au

Telephone: +61 7 5456 3751

Location: Sunshine Coast, SD-T-4-4.08

Dr Meegan Walker contributes to teaching and research in the School of Health at UniSC.

Dr Walker teaches in the clinical exercise physiology program with a focus on exercise for chronic disease management, occupational rehabilitation, and evidence-based professional practice. She is an accredited exercise physiologist and she provides applied clinical skills training for students.

Dr Walker’s research focus is cardiovascular adaptations to exercise and vascular control of blood flow. She is an active member and emerging leader within the VasoActive Research Group at UniSC. Her research has helped to characterise the impact of oxidative stress on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in older adults and patients with peripheral arterial disease. She also identified approaches that can enhance vascular function, including dietary nitrate and passive movement. Her work is both applied and mechanistic, linking the physiological steps between exercise, dietary choices, and healthy blood vessels. Dr Walker is a member of the Queensland Cardiovascular Research Network Steering Committee and she regularly contributes to patient education initiatives by Cancer Council Australia.

Research

Research Summary

Dr Meegan Walker’s specialist areas of knowledge include cardiovascular adaptations to exercise and dietary interventions, blood flow control, and vasoactive enzymes. She is known for her work using beetroot juice supplementation to enhance vascular function. Current projects include:

  • characterising the changes in blood vessel stiffness across the menopause transition
  • examining the vascular impact of consuming highly processed foods
  • testing the effectiveness of passive movement and muscle stimulation on blood flow and walking capacity in peripheral arterial disease patients
  • exercise for cancer patients with bone metastases

Additional areas of interest for collaborative work and HDR research projects include:

  • Vascular health during and after cancer treatment
  • Blood flow through cancerous tumours

Teaching and supervision

Teaching

  • SPX410 Exercise management for chronic disease
  • SPX413 Occupational rehabilitation and case management