Associate ProfessorLuana Main

Taken collectively, Dr Mains research is seeks to provide new insights to allostasis and allostatic (over)load. Given the converging evidence from several lines of research implicating the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to stressor exposure and as a cause of sickness behaviours, Luanas research investigates the relationship between stress (physical +/- psychological) exposure, brain- behaviour interrelationships, and the resultant fatigue in a variety of applied contexts (i.e. endurance sports and physically demanding occupations).

As an applied sport scientist, my early research focused on the concept of overtraining in endurance sports, where I investigated the role of inflammatory cytokines in the development of this maladaptive state. Concurrently, I developed practical solutions to enhance the monitoring of athletes' responses to training, which could be easily implemented by coaches and sport scientists.

I have since extended these skills and expertise to monitoring workers in physically demanding occupations, and now lead a research program focused on the impact of multi-stressor environments on job performance and well-being. My research skills span from benchtop analysis to longitudinal studies in the field. I am proficient in conducting various performance tests and designing studies that replicate real-world industry scenarios.

I am adept at collecting, handling, and analyzing human blood and saliva samples from healthy cohorts. To translate research findings into practice, I utilise qualitative methodology to conduct interviews with industry partners and key end-users. Over the past decade, I’ve refined my ability to communicate research findings effectively, fostering collaboration with industry partners for real-world solutions.