PROFILE
Professor Shane Maloney
Started at UWA: 1999
Investigating temperature regulation in humans and animals
Professor Shane Maloney's principal research area is thermal physiology, focusing on the regulation of brain temperature and the consequences of strategies used by humans and animals to maintain thermal homeostasis.
Since completing his honours and PhD in Zoology on kidney function and thermal physiology in the emu, Professor Maloney’s research has evolved, driven by climate change and the need to know more about how animals and humans respond to warmer climates. He strives to increase the fundamental knowledge of thermal physiology and biophysics.
Professor Maloney has a keen interest in human physiology and his current research investigates adaptations to heat and cold, and the impacts of circadian (daily) and ultradian (two to three hourly) changes in body temperature on health and performance.
Professor Maloney’s work is highly regarded and in 2013 he was invited to present a lecture at the International Union of Physiological Sciences meeting in Birmingham. Through his teaching, he encourages his students to let their curiosity become their work.
Invitation to present at the 2013 International Union of Physiological Sciences meeting in Birmingham
Invitation to submit two reviews in the journal, Physiology
Why is it so cold in here? Setting the office thermostat right
Climate control systems in office buildings are often set according to an old formula based on men’s thermal comfort. This gender bias, the authors argue, is wasting energy.
Read moreHow will livestock react to global warming?
The threat to food production as a result of warming temperatures associated with climate change has triggered a collaboration between two of the hottest countries in the world to determine how future livestock production is about to be affected.
Read moreFunding
2016-2018
Health Department of Western Australia
- Telethon-Perth Children’s Hospital Research Fund - Round 4 - The CIRCA DIEM Trial: Reintroducing circadian cues to decrease length of stay, improve growth and metabolic outcomes in preterm neonates.
- Dr Peter Mark, Professor Shane Maloney, Professor Brendan Waddell and Associate Professor Jane Pillow
2016-2017
Meat and Livestock Australia
- Heat Management in the Middle East - Phase 3
- Dr Kristine Vesterdorf and Professor Shane Maloney
2015-2016
Meat and Livestock Australia
- Heat Management in the Middle East - Phase 2
- Professor Shane Maloney
Teaching
Supervisor opportunities
Professor Maloney has been supervising students for almost 30 years. PhD topics he has supervised have included:
- scaling of the cardiovascular system in artiodactyl mammals
- the use of deslorelin to control fertility in isolated populations of kangaroos
- the control of scrotal temperature and the thermal responsiveness of the tunica dartos muscle
- the physiology of avian fever
Professor Maloney welcomes new ideas and questions from interested students, and can be contacted on the details below.
