Tegan Kastelein

Biography

Dr Tegan Kastelein is a Lecturer in Exercise Science and the Placement Coordinator within the School. Tegan completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science (Rehabilitation) in 2010, she then went on to complete a Bachelor of Exercise Science (Honours) in 2011. Following on from her Honours degree Tegan completed a PhD in 2016, her thesis was titled 'The effects of tobacco smoking and exercise on cerebro-vascular reponses and systemic inflammation: The influence of smoking status and history'. Prior to joing the SESSH team in 2015, Tegan previously worked as a sessional academic at Charles Sturt University for the School of Exercise Science, Sport & Health, School of Community Health and the School of Biomedical Sciences. Additionally, Tegan has taught at the undergraduate level in the Sport and Exercise Science Discipline Group at University of Technology Sydney.

Research Interest

Dr Tegan Kastelein demonstrates expertise in the areas of in-situ immune-inflammatory responses and skills in analysis through immunoassay techniques for the determination of inflammasomes, chemokines and pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in response to various stressors such as noxious stimuli and exercise. Dr Kastelein's previous research has examined the effects of prolonged systematic inflammatory states from tobacco smoking on physiological responses to acute exercise. Dr Kastelein has expertise in the area of cerebral oxygenation via near-infrared spectroscopy, with extensive experience in measurements of oxygenation of the prefrontal cortex and its changes under different physiological and pathological states. Further, Dr Kastelein demonstrates proficiency in knowledge and assessment of autonomic function, in particular, the outcomes of stressors on various domains of heart rate variability. Dr Kastelein's current research interest are in the area of inflammation and exercise in mental health.