University expert announced as President-Elect of The Physiological Society

Professor Mike Tipton from the University of Portsmouth’s School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences has been awarded the prestigious role of President-Elect during an extremely exciting and transformative period for The Physiological Society.

Currently serving as a Trustee and Chair of the Policy Committee, Professor Tipton - who is a Physiologist specialising in Human and Applied Physiology - will begin his one-year appointment as President-Elect in December 2025 during the society’s 150th birthday.

Once in post, he aims to play a fundamental role in tackling global challenges which include health and climate change alongside supporting the current president, Professor Annette Dolphin from University College London. This will then be followed by a three-year term as President, which is due to commence in late 2026.

The Physiological Society (TPS) which is a charitable organisation, consists of the largest network of physiologists in Europe and brings together scientists globally to promote and support those within the sector. The organisation, which boasts over 4000 scientists, also runs events on Physiology alongside facilitating world-scientific meetings and publishing developments in their scientific journals.

Professor Tipton has spent four decades working on thermoregulation, environmental and occupational physiology, and the selection, preparation and protection of those who enter extreme environments. One of the most impactful areas of his research lies in his work on drowning prevention. Their efforts have given rise to 'Respect the Water', a national water safety campaign initiated by the RNLI in 2014.

Commenting on his new appointment, he said: “It is a tremendous honour to be able to serve The Physiological Society as President- Elect, and to promote it, physiology and physiologists. Physiology should be a critical part of the collaboration addressing many global issues from health to climate change.”

“With two new journals on the near-horizon and the upcoming Society’s 150th birthday and next strategy on the more distant horizon, we are entering an exciting and transformative period for The Society. I look forward to meeting and hearing from many members moving forward, and to supporting Professor Annette Dolphin in her presidency”.

The latest news follows a long list of collaborations between The Physiological Society and the University, which includes life-saving physiological research at Portsmouth’s Extreme Environment Laboratory (EEL). The EEL, which explores physiological and psychological responses to adverse environments, was awarded the Excellence in Physiology Award by TPS last year, making the institute the first to be given this prestigious award.

More recently, TPS and the University partnered with Wellcome to call for cross disciplinary efforts to improve our understanding of physiological mechanisms linking extreme heat and mental health.

The upcoming appointment of President-Elect for Professor Tipton will enable the University and The Physiological Society to continue to work closely together in order to enhance and highlight the critical research that is being carried out within the sector.