YU ZHOU

Project: It’s Getting Hot in Here: Direct observation of older people during heatwaves to develop a resilience plan for future climate extremes

• Selected as a KURF Research Fellow to support an applied physiology project examining physiological and functional responses of community-dwelling older adults (≥50 years) during heatwave conditions.
• Conducted standardised physical function measurements based on Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) protocols, including gait speed assessment, chair stand performance, and grip strength testing.
• Assisted with fitness-related field measurements, setting up testing layouts and ensuring protocol consistency and participant safety during data collection sessions.
• Performed capillary blood glucose measurements and supported safe handling of biological samples in accordance with laboratory and field safety guidelines.
• Contributed to direct observational data collection during periods of elevated environmental temperature to assess physiological vulnerability in older adults.
• Authored components of a research essay, integrating collected physiological data with academic literature to examine ageing, heat exposure, and resilience to climate-related stress.
• Worked under close supervision within the Department of Physiology, gaining experience in ethical research conduct, participant communication, and applied field-based physiological research.