University of Cambridge, BA Natural Sciences (2013-2016)
Newcastle University, MA Clinical Science (2017-2020)
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Scientist Training Programme (2017-2020)
University College London, University of London, Medical Research Council DTP PhD Candidate (2020 - Ongoing)
Sam is currently a Medical Research Council funded PhD student at UCL and a registered Clinical Scientist. He received his training at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust on the NHS Scientist Training Programme, specialising in vascular science.
Sam has built a wealth of clinical experience during his NHS scientific training, spending time in a range of settings including Cardiac, Sleep and Respiratory departments. He trained to perform vascular ultrasound to investigate patients with suspected cardiovascular disease. He has a passion for sports and exercise, representing Cambridge University 1st and 2nd XV in rugby and as a keen weightlifter and runner.
Sam has a career research focus looking at how diet, exercise and other lifestyle factors influence metabolism, body composition and long-term health, such as the development of cardiovascular disease. His interest lies in the continuum between health and disease, and how the very factors that may lead to disease and mortality are the same factors that allow individuals to become elite athletes or live long and healthy lives.
Sam has a passion for taking complex science and making it easily understandable. His book, The Fitness Blueprint, combines his interests in exercise training with his career skills, research interests and the evidence-based approach of his clinical training. The Fitness Blueprint dispels common fitness myths and sets the truth straight about how to eat and train to lose fat and build muscle. He also runs a blog (www.SDicken.com) talking about what is known (and unknown) about important health topics such as diet and exercise, using scientific evidence.
Research Publications
Dicken S., et al. Characterisation of B.1.1.7 and Pangolin coronavirus spike provides insights on the evolutionary trajectory of SARS-CoV-2. bioRxiv, 2021
DOI: https://doi./10.1101/2021.03.22.436468,
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