Researcher

Associate Professor David Simar

My Expertise

Cancer survivorship

Exercise Physiology

Immunometabolism

Child Health

Keywords

Cancer Survivorship

immunology

inflammation

endocrinology & metabolism

exercise physiology

child health

Fields of Research (FoR)

Immunology, Oncology and carcinogenesis, Exercise physiology, Adolescent health, Endocrinology, Infant and child health

SEO tags

Cancer and Related Disorders

Diabetes

Immune System and Allergy

Child health

Biography

I obtained a PhD from the University of Montpellier in France in 2004, before moving to Australia to take a Postdoctoral position at the University of Sydney in 2005 supported by the Bourse Lavoisier from the French Ministry of Science and Research. In 2006, I accepted a position of Lecturer in the Department of Exercise Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney. In 2012, I was offered a Research Affiliate...view more

I obtained a PhD from the University of Montpellier in France in 2004, before moving to Australia to take a Postdoctoral position at the University of Sydney in 2005 supported by the Bourse Lavoisier from the French Ministry of Science and Research. In 2006, I accepted a position of Lecturer in the Department of Exercise Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney. In 2012, I was offered a Research Affiliate position at the Centre for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health Science at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and spent 6 months in this Center supported by a Nordea Foundation Fellowship in 2015 to develop novel collaborations and gain access to world leading experts in the fields of Epigenetic and Metabolism.

I am the Head of the Immunometabolism Research Group (Head) at the Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Research.

I have over 15 years of experience in the fields of metabolism, exercise physiology and oncology and I have developed a research program with a special interest in the investigation of long-term complications in cancer survivors.

My research group is composed of PhD and Masters candidates and supported by national and international collaborators. My research program has been funded by the Cancer Council New South Wales, Cancer Institute New South Wales, National Health and Medical Research Council and Diabetes Australia.

My research project investigating the role of irradiation in long-term metabolic complications in cancer survivors was selected as the Flagship project by the Cancer Council New South Wales in 2013.

I am the Associate Dean of Postgraduate Research Training for the Faculty of Medicine and Health. In that position I lead the implementation of the Faculty's strategy regarding Postgraduate Research training across the 13 Schools and Institutes in the Faculty.

My Grants

2019-23: Fotsing JM,..., Simar D, et al. Family farming, lifestyle and health in the Pacific. Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions H2020-MSCA-RISE 2019, AU$2,065,000.

2019-20: Goldstein D, Park S, McCrary MJ, Simar D, Ward R. The effect of exercise training on neurophysiologic, functional, and quality of life deficits in cancer survivors with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. World Cancer Research Fund International, AU$99,958.

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.

2013: Selected Flagship project by Cancer Council New South Wales

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

My Research Activities

I am an active member of the Translational Cancer Research Network and member of the Cancer Clinical Academic Group for Maridulu Budyari Gumal/Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research and Enterprise (SPHERE).

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 group is also interested in the role of exercise in the promotion of child health.

Current projects on offer (suitable for Honours, Masters and PhD) include: Long-term complications in cancer survivors, Physical activity in cancer survivors, Role of exercise in Child Health.

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

- Child health

Currently supervising

PhD: A new digital and human-centred educational program to foster healthy behaviours and reduce cardiometabolic complications in children who survived cancer

PhD: The effect of the gut microbiome on adaptation to exercise

PhD: Discovery of serum biomarkers for the diagnosis of sport-related concussion in children

MRes: Investigating the impact of a dance intervention on the physical and psychological health of breast cancer survivors. The dance intervention will be designed and delivered in consideration of movement limitations experienced following cancer

My Teaching

As a member of the School of Health Sciences, I convene the course Clinical Exercise Physiology offered to third 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 and to improve the management of the underlying disease.

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