Role
Neil is Associate Professor in Nutrition Science and Exercise Physiology at Nottingham Trent University, where he leads a research programme investigating dietary biotics, nutrition and the gut microbiota in supporting health and wellbeing in athlete and non-athlete populations. Neil teaches across the nutrition and exercise physiology modules for the BSc (H) Sport and Exercise Science; and BSc (H) Sport Science, Health and Nutrition degree programmes.
Neil's research explores interactions between diet, the gut microbiome and host physiology, with interests in prebiotic and probiotic interventions, the gut-lung axis, gastrointestinal health, immunity, and exercise performance. Neil has pioneered research investigating dietary biotics for the management of exercise-induced asthma, respiratory disease and athlete health at NTU. Working with academic and industry partners, Neil has established a strong track record in securing research funding and translating scientific discovery into practical applications to improve human health.
Neil is passionate and active in translating nutrition science into food innovation for health. Neil has worked with professional chefs and food industry partners, applying nutrition science for food and recipe development. Collaborations include Michelin-starred chef Sat Bains on Eat to Your Heart's Content, contributing nutrition expertise to recipes supporting cardiovascular health, and research with Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons investigating the health of professional chefs. More recently, Neil has been involved in an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Geary's Bakery, optimising sourdough production and investigating its potential health benefits.
Earlier in his career, Neil worked as an occupational and thermal physiologist for QinetiQ and the Ministry of Defence, leading research into human physiological responses to exercise and environmental stress. This included evaluating protective equipment and providing applied sport science support to elite athletes and expedition teams operating in extreme environments, including the Sahara Desert, Antarctica and Everest.
Neil brings together academic expertise, applied experience and industry collaboration to develop evidence-based nutritional strategies that deliver meaningful improvements in health, performance and wellbeing.
Neil is an Academic Associate with the British Dietetic Associations Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR).
Career overview
Previously Neil has worked on projects involving the physiological assessment of the armed forces for the MOD and commercial clients in a range of extreme environments; and consulted with athletes and ex-Olympians in supporting British runners in the Marathon de Sables.
Previous work includes:
- Exercise and Thermal Physiologist, QinetiQ Ltd. Experienced in the physiological assessment of armed forces in a range of extreme environments.
- Lead physiologist for "The Marathon Des Sables "Toughest Race on Earth" TV Documentary for Discovery Channel UK. Responsible for heat acclimation protocol design, and field data collection of an ex-Olympic athlete
- Occupational Physiologist, Optimal Performance Ltd.
Research areas
Dr William's is a member of the Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre, and he leads the Injury, Illness and Nutrition in Sport and Exercise (IINSE) Research Group.
Neil's research investigates the role of nutrition, dietary biotics and the gut microbiota in supporting human health, wellbeing and exercise performance. Using human dietary intervention studies, I explore interactions between diet, the gut microbiome and host physiology, with particular interests in respiratory and gastrointestinal health, immunity and the gut-lung axis. My research translates scientific evidence into practical nutritional strategies.
Opportunities arise to carry out postgraduate research towards an MPhil / PhD in the areas identified above. Further information may be obtained on the NTU Research Degrees website https://www.ntu.ac.uk/research/research-degrees-at-ntu
Current PhD Students:
- Sam Abbott
- Louise Bonnard
- Hannah Lindsell
- Rachel Williams
- Anna Skowronska
- Louis Hall
- Vaishali Asawala
External activity
Professional affiliations and activities
- Academic Associate with the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR).
- Peer reviewer for numerous scientific journals
- Dissemination of research at numerous internationally-renowned scientific conferences
- Invited speaker on topics related to athlete health, dietary biotics, exercise performance, asthma, nutrition and the gut microbiota.
Neil is able to act as a consultant in the following areas:
- Nutrition support for exercise and occupational tasks
- Nutrition education
- Physiological responses to exercise and assessment of fitness
- Preparation and acclimation for exercise in extreme environments
- Diagnostic assessments of exercise induced asthma and measurement of pulmonary function
Publications
LAD, N., MURPHY, A.M., PARENTI, C., NELSON, C.P., WILLIAMS, N.C., SHARPE, G.R. and MCTERNAN, P.G., 2021. Asthma and obesity: endotoxin another insult to add to injury? Clinical Science, 135 (24), pp. 2729-2748. ISSN 0143-5221
JOHNSON, M.A., SHARPE, G.R., NEEDHAM, R.S. and WILLIAMS, N.C., 2021. Effects of prior voluntary hyperventilation on the 3-min all-out cycling test in men. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. ISSN 0195-9131
JOHNSON, M.A., WILLIAMS, N.C., GRAHAM, A.W., INGRAM, L.A.L., COOPER, S.B. and SHARPE, G.R., 2020. Effects of prior upper body exercise on the 3-min all-out cycling test in men. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. ISSN 0195-9131
WILLIAMS, N.C., KILLER, S.C., SVENDSEN, I.S. and JONES, A.W., 2019. Immune nutrition and exercise: narrative review and practical recommendations. European Journal of Sport Science, 19 (1), pp. 49-61. ISSN 1746-1391
WILLIAMS, N.C., HUNTER, K.A., SHAW, D.E., JACKSON, K.G., SHARPE, G.R. and JOHNSON, M.A., 2017. Comparable reductions in hyperpnoea-induced bronchoconstriction and markers of airway inflammation after supplementation with 6·2 and 3·1 g/d of long-chain n-3 PUFA in adults with asthma. British Journal of Nutrition, 117 (10), pp. 1379-1389. ISSN 0007-1145
WILLIAMS, N.C., JOHNSON, M.A., SHAW, D.E., SPENDLOVE, I., VULEVIC, J., SHARPE, G.R. and HUNTER, K.A., 2016. A prebiotic galactooligosaccharide mixture reduces severity of hyperpnoea-induced bronchoconstriction and markers of airway inflammation. British Journal of Nutrition, 116 (5), pp. 798-804. ISSN 0007-1145
JOHNSON, M.A., SHARPE, G.R., WILLIAMS, N.C. and HANNAH, R., 2015. Locomotor muscle fatigue is not critically regulated after prior upper body exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology, 119 (7), pp. 840-850. ISSN 8750-7587
WILLIAMS, N.C., JOHNSON, M.A., HUNTER, K.A. and SHARPE, G.R., 2015. Reproducibility of the bronchoconstrictive response to eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea. Respiratory Medicine, 109 (10), pp. 1262-1267. ISSN 0954-6111
JOHNSON, M.A., SHARPE, G.R., WILLIAMS, N.C. and HANNAH, R., 2015. Reply to Broxterman, Richardson, and Amann. Journal of Applied Physiology, 119 (12), p. 1521. ISSN 8750-7587
MILLS, D.E., JOHNSON, M.A., MCPHILIMEY, M.J., WILLIAMS, N.C., GONZALEZ, J.T., BARNETT, Y.A. and SHARPE, G.R., 2014. Influence of oxidative stress, diaphragm fatigue, and inspiratory muscle training on the plasma cytokine response to maximum sustainable voluntary ventilation. Journal of Applied Physiology, 116 (8), pp. 970-979. ISSN 8750-7587
WILLIAMS, N.C., SCOTT, J.P.R., BARKER, N., GILMOUR, K. and WICKES, S., 2014. Preparation for and physiological responses to competing in the Marathon des Sables: a case report. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 54 (1), pp. 34-42. ISSN 0022-4707
MILLS, D.E., JOHNSON, M.A., MCPHILIMEY, M.J., WILLIAMS, N.C., GONZALEZ, J.T., BARNETT, Y.A. and SHARPE, G.R., 2013. The effects of inspiratory muscle training on plasma interleukin-6 concentration during cycling exercise and a volitional mimic of the exercise hyperpnea. Journal of Applied Physiology, 115 (8), pp. 1163-1172. ISSN 8750-7587
BLACKER, S.D., WILLIAMS, N.C., FALLOWFIELD, J.L. and WILLEMS, M.E.T., 2011. The effect of a carbohydrate beverage on the physiological responses during prolonged load carriage. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 111 (8), pp. 1901-1908. ISSN 1439-6319
BLACKER, S.D., WILLIAMS, N.C., FALLOWFIELD, J.L., BILZON, J.L.J. and WILLEMS, M.E.T., 2010. Carbohydrate vs protein supplementation for recovery of neuromuscular function following prolonged load carriage. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 7 (1), p. 2. ISSN 1550-2783
Book Chapter:
WILLIAMS, N.C., JOHNSON, M.A., ADAMIC, E.M. and MICKLEBOROUGH, T.D., 2020. Non-pharmacological management of asthma-related issues in athletes. In: J.W. DICKINSON and J.H. HULL, eds., Complete guide to respiratory care in athletes. Routledge, pp. 86-98. ISBN 9780429492341
Press expertise
- Nutrition and the micrbiome to support health and wellbeing
- Prebiotic and probiotic dietary interventions
- The effects of extreme environments on the human body
- Respiratory conditions in athletes