Dr Nathan Hodson PhD FHEA

PG Cert in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2022
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, 2022
PhD Exercise Biochemistry, University of Birmingham, 2018
MRes Exercise and Sport Science, University of Birmingham, 2015
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, University of Birmingham, 2014

Dr Nathan Hodson completed his undergraduate and masters degrees within the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at The University of Birmingham before continuing on to complete his PhD (2015-2018) within the School exploring the cellular mechanisms underpinning changes in skeletal muscle protein metabolism in response to exercise and nutrition. Following this, Dr. Hodson moved to Canada to complete post-doctoral training at the University of Toronto (2019-2021) furthering his expertise is methods to assess skeletal muscle protein metabolism through invasive and non-invasive methodologies.  Nathan then returned to the UK in December 2021 as a Lecturer in Musculoskeletal Physiology at Manchester Metropolitan University where he began his own research stream investigating skeletal muscle function and metabolism in a range of contexts; from athletic performance to muscle-wasting conditions. In September 2025, he rejoined the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Birmingham where he continues his research into the cellular drivers of skeletal muscle protein metabolism alongside teaching on the School’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Throughout his career to date, Dr. Hodson’s work has been recognised with several awards including the Michael J Rennie Oral Communication Prize (Physiological Society, 2017), European College of Sport Science Young Investigator Award (2018) and American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Postdoctoral Award (2021). He has also presented his findings at a range of international conferences (ECSS, IBEC, Cell Symposia: Exercise Metabolism) and received funding from prestigious sources such as Muscular Dystrophy UK and The Academy of Medical Sciences.

Dr Hodson’s research group currently consists of 3 PhD students and 1 postdoctoral research associate:

1. Ms. Meghann Leaver – PhD Student, 2023-2026
2. Mr. Jordan Acheson – PhD Student, 2024-2027
3. Ms. Isobel Haslam – PhD Student, 2024-2028
4. Ms. Jennifer Barrett – PDRA, 2025-2027

If you are interested in working with Dr. Nathan Hodson and his group please contact n.w.hodson@bham.ac.uk to discuss potential opportunities and funding sources.

Dr Hodson’s research focusses on the cellular mechanisms underpinning alterations in skeletal muscle protein metabolism and potential interventions to improve this in populations where it is impaired. He currently has the following ongoing projects/research themes: 

• Investigating the role of the mTORC1-lysosomal-autophagy axis in obesity-related skeletal muscle anabolic resistance (Academy of Medical Sciences Springboard Award)
• Investigating nutraceutical approaches to modulate skeletal muscle autophagy in response to exercise training and exercise-induced muscle damage (Industry partnership)
• Understanding the relationship between dietary habits/supplementation and skeletal muscle size, strength and function in adults with muscular dystrophy
• Utilising non-invasive approaches to study protein metabolism in adults with Becker Muscular Dystrophy (MDUK-funded PhD studentship)