Exercise Science, Studies Show

Episode 7: Dr Imtiaz Desai - Lessons learned from a PhD looking at creatine, resistance training, and the gut microbiome

Exercise Science, Studies Show

Show Notes

This was a fantastic chat with newly minted PhD, Dr Imtiaz Desai. Imtiaz has recently finished his PhD at UNSW looking at some really cool research around the effect of resistance training and creatine on the gut microbiome. He is now a post-doctoral researcher and trial manager at the Centre for Pain Impact working on the Capacity trial. Imtiaz also recently published a systematic review on the effect of creatine on RT-based body composition changes (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39074168/). Imtiaz provides some great insights to academia and we get into some cool chat around his research. Enjoy the show! Imtiaz's bio:“Imtiaz is a health and performance expert with global experience in the management and development of small businesses—who loves being on two wheels—and has PhD-level experience in managing clinical research. He has a passion for guiding people and organisations to success and is dedicated to improving human health.”

More from Exercise Science, Studies Show

Jul 21, 2026

This was a great chat with Anurag about the PhD journey and some lessons/insights from his PhD to date! Be sure to give this one a listen! Anurag is a PhD candidate and Accredited Exercise Physiologist at UNSW Sydney, with research focused around resistance training in female health. His current research includes a completed 12-week RCT that examined the effects of resistance training on body composition, symptoms and strength in the menopausal transition, an underrepresented population in exercise research. His previous research had focused on creatine supplementation alongside resistance training and the sex bias embedded within resistance training literature. Alongside his research, Anurag teaches in the Exercise Physiology and Physiotherapy programs at UNSW and runs an independent practice offering exercise physiology and strength and conditioning services in Sydney. Instagram @raggy.00 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/anurag-pandit-702426239/ Email [email protected]

May 30, 2026

This is the first of a 'Day in th Life' series I am kicking off. Here I aim to talk to a variety of people in and around the exercise science industry to see what a day in the life looks like and how they manage things like work life balance (maybe even take a few tips for myself!).

May 24, 2026

This was such a cool chat with Jay - we share very similar views and experiences, so I may be biased - but this one is a must listen! Here, we chat lessons from S&C that have helped us in clinical contexts (Oncology for Jay and Pain for me) and the inverse (lessons from clinical practice that have made us better S&C coaches). This is definitely part 1 as we finished this poddy to run to a meeting buzzing with ideas of where this chat could have gone. Feel free to let us know what you'd like to hear us yarn about on the next one! Jay's Bio: Jay is an accredited exercise physiologist, PhD researcher, and lecturer in Exercise Science and Physiology at UNSW. Research wise, his program sits at the intersection of exercise- and psycho-oncology, looking to investigate mechanisms that underpin effects of exercise on psychological health in people living with cancer. Outside of academia, Jay has experience in clinical exercise physiology and continues to coach S&C for general populations with 98 Gym in Canberra and Sydney. LinkedIn: Jay Calder (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-calder-8b5372265?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_mediu…) Email: [email protected]

May 15, 2026

This was great to sit down with Professor Kevin Norton (Big Kev to his mates... aka, me). This was an insightful discussion on Kev's career as a Sports Science acadmic, what has changed, the influence of tech, and advice for students, new grads, and practitioners alike. Tune in for a great chat!

Feb 13, 2026

On this episode, Em & I chatted through her recent paper 'Social determinants of health equity for people with pain: from understanding to action', which she led as a clinical update for the IASP global year in review for 2025. Em walks us through what are the Social Determinants of Health, how these can impact ouctomes, a framework for clinicians and then lots of really interesting chat. This is an excellent episode that will (hopefully) help you to slow down and reflect! Paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41450708/ Emily's bio & where to find her: Emily Walker is a PhD candidate at UNSW and Neuroscience Research Australia, using process evaluation to explore patient-led goal setting and pain science education for people with chronic low back pain. She also spends her time reading about social determinants of pain, health equity, and critical qualitative approaches to health research. Clinically, she works as an exercise physiologist in a multidisciplinary clinic, mainly supporting people with musculoskeletal concerns. She is also an Associate Lecturer at UNSW, where she is involved in subjects on research methods, musculoskeletal health, and special populations.

See all episodes →