Research Interests:
My research interest mainly focuses on the characterisation of metabolic dysfunction and the critical role played by the immune system in the development of those alterations in metabolic and immune conditions.

Broad Research Areas:
Metabolism, Inflammation, Immunology, Cancer, Diabetes,...view more

Research Group:
Immunometabolism Research Group (Head)

Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Research

School of Medical Sciences

Research Interests:
My research interest mainly focuses on the characterisation of metabolic dysfunction and the critical role played by the immune system in the development of those alterations in metabolic and immune conditions.

Broad Research Areas:
Metabolism, Inflammation, Immunology, Cancer, Diabetes, Exercise Physiology

Qualifications:
BSc, PhD (Montpellier)

Specific Research Keywords:
Cell Metabolism, Insulin resistance, Immunology and Infectious Disease, Cancer, Exercise Physiology

Projects on offer (suitable for Honours, Masters and PhD):

Metabolic complications in cancer survivors

Physical activity in cancer survivors

My Grants

2018-19: Goldstein D, Park S, McCrary MJ, Menant J, Harris C, Simar D.Exercise rehabilitation for cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: Impact and mechanisms.Cancer Clinical Academic Group seed grant scheme, AU$200,000.

2014: Zekry A, Simar D, Lloyd A.T-cell metabolic pathways as a predictor of anti-HCV T-cell immune response and outcomes after primary HCV infection.Australian Centre for HIV and Hepatitis Virology Research, AU$ 95,000.

2013-15: Hardeman E, Barres R, Simar D, Cohn R. The role of epigenetic modifications in longterm memory of irradiation in cancer survivors. Cancer Council New South Wales, AU$ 360,000.

2010: Cohn R, Simar D.Metabolic complications in childhood leukaemia survivors. Cancer Institute New South Wales, AU$ 46,000.

2009: Chen H, Morris MJ, Simar D. Activation of brain glucose sensing mTOR pathway to improve glucose tolerance and reduce adiposity in offspring from obese dams.DARTResearchGrant, AU$ 59,400.

2008: Simar D. Impaired metabolism in peripheral blood mononuclear cells condition the antiviral response in hepatitis C virus infection,Faculty of Medicine: UNSW Sydney, AU$ 11,800.

2008: Chen H, Morris MJ, Simar D. Impact of maternal smoking and high fat diet feeding on pathways involved in central and peripheral glucose metabolism. DART Research Grant, AU$ 50,000.

2008-12: Fiatarone Singh M, Blair S, Singh N, O’Sullivan A, Simar D, Baune B. A randomised controlled trial of progressive resistance training in older type 2 diabetics at cardiovascular risk.NHMRC Research Grant, AU$ 806,250.

2008:Fiatarone Singh M, Blair S, Singh N, O’Sullivan A, Simar D, Baune B. Australian Diabetes Society – Servier National Diabetes Strategy Grant, AU$ 19,532.

2008: Simar D, Tzar C, Tejani N, Metabolic alterations in Polycistic Ovary Syndrome: protective effect of resistance training,Faculty of Medicine,UNSW Sydney:Early Career Research Grant, AU$ 30,000.

2008:Ruell P, Caillaud C, Thompson M, Simar D. Can plasma HSP70 be used to screen athletes at risk of injury from heatstroke?New South Wales Government, Research and Injury Prevention Scheme, AU$ 19,600.

2007:Caillaud C, Thompson M, Simar D, Kazlauskas R, Trout G, Howe C. Does exercise in hot environmental condition impair detection of EPO doping?Australian Government, Department of Communication, Information, Technology and the Arts, AU$ 125,358.

2007: Simar D, A new model to study insulin-stimulated glucose transport in type 2 diabetes,Faculty of Medicine,UNSW Sydney: Early Career Research Grant, AU$ 36,000.

My Qualifications

PhD in Physiology, University of Montpellier, France

MSc in Exercise Physiology, University of Montpellier, France

BSc in Exercise Physiology, University of Montpellier, France

My Awards

2015: Nordea-Fonden’s Residence Program at Heerings Gaard, Denmark.

2015: Quality and Innovation Award in Preventive Health, The Sydney Children’s Hospital Network.

2008: School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney. New Researcher of the year

My Research Activities

My research program investigates and targets the mechanisms responsible for long-term complications in cancer survivors, using a translational approach ranging from cellular models to animal and human studies.

My Research Supervision

Supervision keywords

cancer

endocrinology & metabolism

inflammation

exercise physiology

child health

Areas of supervision

I supervise ILP, honours, Masters and PhD students on the following projects:

- Metabolic complications in cancer survivors

- Physical activity in cancer survivors

Currently supervising

PhD: Investigating the role of physical activity on functional, cardiovascular & psychological outcomes in childhood cancer: from diagnosis and in survivorship

PhD: Optimal dose exercise for reduction in inlfammatory activity in cancer patients

PhD: The impact of whole body irradiation on metabolism and skeletal muscle

My Teaching

As a member of the Department of Exercise Physiology in the School of Medical Sciences, I convene the third year course Clinical Exercise Physiology offered to 3rd year students enrolled in the Program of Exercise Physiology. This course focuses on the epidemiology and the pathophysiology of respiratory, metabolic, cardiovascular and immune diseases. It develops knowledge of how to set up and implement exercise testing and programming in these special populations in order to provide symptomatic relief, as well as to manage the underlying disease.

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