Newcastle University

Introduction

As a clinical applied physiologist I joined Newcastle University in September 2009, having moved from London to Newcastle. My research interests include physiological, particularly cardiac responses and adaptations to ageing and lifestyle intervention in both healthy and diseased populations.
Before joining Newcastle University I was a member of Cardiovascular Research Group established by Prof David Brodie at Buckinghamshire New University. Since then I have collaborated with a team of scientists and clinicians led by Prof Sir Magdi Yacoub in the UK and abroad.

Roles and Responsibilities

To develop and implement an independent research programme looking at the effect of ageing, disease and lifestyle on cardiovascular function.

To provide physiological support for studies within the laboratory.

To support further development of the Physical Activity and Exercise Research Group.

Contribute to postgraduate teaching, supervision of postgraduate students, and development of specialist postgraduate modules.  

Qualifications

B.Sc. - University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
M.Sc. - Brunel University, London, UK
Ph.D. - Buckinghamshire New University/Brunel University, London, UK

Memberships

- European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation
- Heart Failure Association of the ESC
- European Society of Cardiology

Languages

English, German, Yugoslavian (Serbo-Croatian)

Research Interests

Functional capacity of the cardio-respiratory system and exercise tolerance are strong predictors of all cause and cardiovascular mortality, functional independence and quality of life in health and disease. In older people and those with chronic diseases exercise intolerance is a clinical hallmark due to a decline in cardio-respiratory and muscular function. My research focuses on determination of the physiological causes of exercise intolerance and discovery of appropriate physiological and pharmacological treatments to improve overall cardiovascular function, clinical symptoms and quality of life in older people and those with chronic diseases, promoting lifelong health and wellbeing. I have special interests in:     

- Cardiac and vascular ageing – can we improve cardiovascular function in older people using physiological and pharmacological interventions?

- The assessment of overall cardiac function (i.e. cardiac pumping capability) represented by cardiac power output at rest and during maximal physiological stimulation and its role in clinical prognosis and overall health in patients and older people.

- Heart Failure and Left Ventricular Assist Devices: the impact on cardiovascular function, quality of life and recovery.

- The role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing in cardiovascular disease prevention, diagnosis, management and prognosis.   

- Exercise prescription and intervention in clinical and non-clinical groups.

- Heart rate and blood pressure variability, and heart rate responses to exercise and recovery.

- Magnetic resonance imaging, tagging and spectroscopy for evaluation of cardiac function and metabolism.

- Non-invasive assessment of cardiac output at rest and during exercise.

Current Work

Physiological effect of age on cardiac function stratified for habitual physical activity.

Evaluation of everyday metabolism and energy expenditure in patients with chronic heart failure, those implanted with left ventricular assist devices and heart transplanted patients.

Validity of a non-invasive cardiac output measurement device in patients with pulmonary hypertension, those implanted with a left ventriuclar assist device and heart transplanted patients.

The effect of aerobic exercise on cardiac function and whole body movement in adults with mitochondrial disease.

The effect of a fitness and mobility exercise programme on glucose control and blood flow in the brain in older adults with chronic stroke

The effect of physical activity and exercise on the ageing phenotype.

Cardiac and physical functional follow-up of patients following left ventricular assist device implantation and heart transplantation.

Postgraduate Supervision 

I currently co-supervise two PhD students and one MSc student. 

Katherine Jones, PhD candidate. Project: The effect of exercise on clinical and physiological outcomes in patients with inclusion body myositis and mitochondial disorders (co-supervision with Prof Doug Turnbull).

Sophie Cassidy, PhD candidate. Project: The effect of exercise on metabolic control, liver lipid and cardiac function in patients with type 2 diabetes (co-supervision with Prof Mike Trenell).  

Alice Gover, MSc student (completed). Project: Cardiac structure, function and metabolism in patients with metabolic disorders.

Esteem Indicators

Grant reviewer for the Heart Research UK Translational Research Project Grant 2013  

Understanding the Ageing Heart Symposium funded by the British Heart Foundation – November 2012 grant applicant and organizer

Grant reviewer for the NIHR Invention for Innovation Programme 2012

Grant reviewer for the Austrian Science Fund 2012

Clinical Fellowship reviewer for the Medical Research Council Clinical Fellowship 2011

Best Applied Research Competition - First Award Winner, Coventry University 2010 

Invited ad hoc reviewer for the following journals:

International Journal of Cardiology, BMJ Heart, American Journal of Cardiology, Future Cardiology, European Journal of Applied Physiology, Journal of Cardiac Failure, Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing

Invited Presentations:

The impact of age and physical activity on cardiac function and performance. A cross-council research programme: New Dynamics of Ageing Annual Meeting. Birmingham, 22 May 2013.

The role of advanced glycation end products in cardiovascular disease. Meet the expert of translational research: Molecular Basis of Heart Failure. 11^th International Congress on Clinical Cardiology and Heart Failure, Belgrade, Serbia, 26-27 April 2013.

Physical activity and age-related changes in aerobic and cardiac function. MRC Centre for Integrated Research into Musculoskeletal Ageing. Liverpool, 27 February 2013.   

Current tendencies in cardiopulmonary exercise testing: non-invasive assessment of cardiac power output. Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation, Aswan Heart Centre, Egypt, 13-14 October 2012.

Neurohumoral system activation blockade: basis for prevention and treatment of heart failure. European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Congress, Belgrade, Serbia, 19-22 May 2012.

Congress Highlights - Basic Sciences. European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Congress, Belgrade, Serbia, 19-22 May 2012.  

Left ventricular assist devices improve cardiac and physical function in patients with severe heart failure. Medical School, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia. 29 May 2011  

The effect of mechanical circulatory support on cardiac and exercise performance in patients with chronic heart failure. Coventry University – Best Applied Research Competition First Award Winner, 30 June 2010

Exercise intolerance and cardiac power output in chronic heart failure. Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, 16 March 2010.

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing in heart failure. Staff Symposium, Faculty of Society and Health, Buckinghamshire New University, Chalfont Campus, 09 January 2009.

Cardiac power output in patients with heart failure undergoing mechanical circulatory support. Thematic Meeting on Clinical Consequences of Hemodynamic Measurements under Exercise Testing, Copenhagen, Denmark, 24 – 25 September 2007.

MRes Programme (MMB8037) Cardiovascular Science in Health and Disease, Newcastle University 

MSc in Clinical Sciences, Newcastle University; Module CVR8007 Diagnostic Approaches and Current Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders.

MSc in Clinical Physiology, Northumbria University; Module Clinical Applied Physiolgy: 1) Epidemiology, aetiology and pathology of coronary artery disease; 2) Exercise prescription for prevention, treatment and management of coronary artery disease.  

• Nunan D, Sandercock GR, George RS, Jakovljevic DG, Donovan G, Bougard R, Yacoub MH, Brodie DA, Birks EJ. Cardiovascular autonomic control in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support and pharmacologic therapy. International Journal of Cardiology 2013, (epub ahead of print).
• Bates MG, Newman JH, Jakovljevic DG, Hollingsworth KG, Alston CL, Zalewski P, Klawe JJ, Blamire AM, Macgowan GA, Keavney BD, Bourke JP, Schaefer A, McFarland R, Newton JL, Turnbull DM, Taylor RW, Trenell MI, Gorman GS. Defining cardiac adaptations and safety of endurance training in patients with m.3243A>g-related mitochondrial disease. International Journal of Cardiology 2013, (epub ahead of print).
• Jakovljevic DG, Hallsworth K, Zalewski P, Thoma C, Klawe J, Day CP, Newton J, Trenell MI. Resistance exercise improves autonomic regulation at rest and haemodynamic response to exercise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Clinical Science 2013, 125(3), 143-149.
• Campbell MD, Walker M, Trenell MI, Jakovljevic DG, Stevenson EJ, Bracken RM, Bain SC, West DJ. Large pre- and postexercise rapid-acting insulin reductions preserves glycemia and prevents early- but not late-onset hypoglycemia in patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2013, (epub ahead of print).
• Bates MG, Hollingsworth KG, Newman J, Jakovljevic DG, Blamire AM, MacGowan GA, Keavney BD, Chinnery PF, Turnbull DM, Taylor RW, Trenell MI, Gorman GS. Concentric hypertrophic remodeling and subendocardial dysfunction in mitochondrial DNA point mutation carriers. European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging 2013, (epub ahead of print).
• Detko E, OHara JP, Thelwall PE, Smith FE, Jakovljevic DG, King RF, Trenell MI. Addition of protein and amino acids to maltodextrin and galactose does not enhance post-exercise liver and muscle glycogen synthesis. British Journal of Nutrition 2013. In Press.
• Klasnja AV, Jakovljevic DG, Barak OF, Popadic-Gacesa JZ, Lukac DD, Grujic NG. Cardiac power output and its response to exercise in athletes and non-athletes. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging 2013. In Press.
• Hallsworth K, Hollingsworth KG, Thoma C, Jakovljevic DG, MacGowan GA, Anstee QM, Taylor R, Day CP, Trenell MI. Cardiac structure and function are altered in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Journal of Hepatology 2013, 58(4), 757-762.
• Jakovljevic DG, Moore SA, Tan LB, Rochester L, Ford GA, Trenell MI. Discrepancy between cardiac and physical functional reserves in stroke. Stroke 2012, 43, 1422-1425.
• Jakovljevic DG, Moore SA, Trenell MI. Response to Letter Regarding Article, "Discrepancy Between Cardiac and Physical Functional Reserves in Stroke". Stroke 2012, 43(9), E92-E92.
• Jakovljevic DG, Popadic-Gacesa JZ, Barak OF, Nunan D, Donovan G, Trenell MI, Grujic NG, Brodie DA. Relationship between peak cardiac pumping capability and indices of cardio-respiratory fitness in healthy individuals. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging 2012, 32(5), 388-393.
• Jakovljevic DG, Moore S, Hallsworth K, Fattakhova G, Thoma C, Trenell MI. Comparison of cardiac output determined by bioimpedance and bioreactance methods at rest and during exercise. Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing 2012, 26(2), 63-68.
• Jakovljevic DG, Seferovic PM, Nunan D, Donovan GC, Trenell MI, Grocott-Mason R, Brodie DA. Reproducibility of cardiac power output and other cardiopulmonary exercise indices in patients with chronic heart failure. Clinical Science 2011, 122(4), 175-181.
• Jakovljevic DG, Birks EJ, George RS, Trenell MI, Seferovic PM, Yacoub MH, Brodie DA. Relationship between peak cardiac pumping capability and selected exercise-derived prognostic indicators in patients treated with left ventricular assist devices. European Journal of Heart Failure 2011, 13(9), 992-999.
• Jones DEJ, Hollingsworth KG, Jakovljevic DG, Fattakhova G, Pairman J, Blamire AM, Trenell MI. Loss of capacity to recover from acidosis on repeat exercise in chronic fatigue syndrome: A case control study. European Journal of Clinical Investigation 2012, 42(2), 186-194.
• Barak OF, Ovcin ZB, Jakovljevic DG, Lozanov-Crvenkovic Z, Brodie DA, Grujic NG. Heart rate recovery after submaximal exercise in four different recovery protocols in male athletes and non-athletes. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 2011, 10(2), 369-375.
• Gacesa J, Jakovljevic D, Kozic D, Dragnic N, Brodie D, Grujic N. Morpho-functional response of the elbow extensor muscles to twelve-week self-perceived maximal resistance training. Clinical Physiology and Functional Imaging 2010, 30(6), 413-419.
• Jakovljevic DG, George RS, Nunan D, Donovan G, Bougard RS, Yacoub MH, Birks EJ, Brodie DA. The impact of acute reduction of continuous-flow left ventricular assist device support on cardiac and exercise performance. Heart 2010, 96(17), 1390-1395.
• Jakovljevic DG, George RS, Donovan G, Nunan D, Henderson K, Bougard RS, Yacoub MH, Birks EJ, Brodie DA. Comparison of cardiac power output and exercise performance in patients with left ventricular assist devices, explanted (recovered) patients and those with moderate to severe heart failure . The American Journal of Cardiology 2010, 105(12), 1780-1785.
• Jakovljevic DG, Donovan G, Nunan D, McDonagh S, Trenell MI, Grocott-Mason R, Brodie DA. The effect of aerobic versus resistance exercise training on peak cardiac power output and physical functional capacity in patients with chronic heart failure. International Journal of Cardiology 2010, 145(3), 526-528.
• Nunan D, Jakovljevic DG, Donovan G, Singleton LD, Sandercock GRH, Brodie DA. Resting autonomic modulations and the heart rate response to exercise. Clinical Autonomic Research 2010, 20(4), 213-221.
• Hagget A, Hull J, Nunan D, Jakovljevic DG, Brodie DA, Amsley L. Application of bioreactance for cardiac output assessment in healthy individuals. European Journal of Applied Physiology 2010, 109(5), 945-951.
• Barak OF, Jakovljevic DG, Popadic-Gacesa JZ, Brodie DA, Grujic NG. Comparison of heart rate variability before and after cycle exercise in relation to different body positions. Journal of Sport Science and Medicine 2010, 9, 176-182.
• Ostojic SM, Markovic G, Calleja-Gonzalez J, Jakovljevic DG, Vucetic V, Stojanovic MD. Ultra short-term heart rate recovery after maximal exercise in continuous versus intermittent endurance athletes. European Journal of Applied Physiology 2010, 108(5), 1055-1059.
• Nunan D, Donovan G, Jakovljevic DG, Hodges LD, Sandercock GR, Brodie DA. Validity and reliability of short-term heart-rate variability from the Polar S810. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 2009, 41(1), 243-250.
• Jakovljevic DG, McConnell AK. Influence of different breathing frequencies on the severity of inspiratory muscle fatigue induced by high-intensity front crawl swimming. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research 2009, 23(4), 1169-1174.
• Popadic Gacesa JZ, Kozic DB, Dragnic NR, Jakovljevic DG, Brodie DA, Grujic NG. Changes of functional status and volume of triceps brachii measured by magnetic resonance imaging after maximal resistance training. Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging 2009, 29(3), 671-676.
• Jakovljevic DG, Nunan D, Donovan G, Hodges LD, Sandercock GR, Brodie DA. Comparison of cardiac output determined by different rebreathing methods at rest and at peak exercise. European Journal of Applied Physiology 2008, 102(5), 593-599.
• Nunan D, Jakovljevic DG, Donovan G, Hodges LD, Sandercock GR, Brodie DA. Levels of agreement for RR intervals and short-term heart rate variability obtained from the Polar S810 and an alternative system. European Journal of Applied Physiology 2008, 103(5), 529-537.
• Jakovljevic DG, Nunan D, Donovan G, Hodges LD, Sandercock GRH, Brodie DA. Lack of agreement between gas exchange variables measured by two metabolic systems. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine 2008, 7(1), 15-22.
• Jones KL, Whittaker RG, Miller JA, Jakovljevic DG, Turnbull DM, Gorman GS. Can high intensity interval training improve functional capacity and clinical symptoms in inflammatory and mitochondrial myopathies?. In: 6th Annual Translational Research Conference. 2013, Oxford, UK.
• Jakovljevic DG, Mc Diarmid A, MacGowan GA, Parry G, Schueler S, Trenell MI. Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation Significantly Improves Everyday Physical Activity and Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure. In: 32nd Anniversary Meeting of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantatio. 2012, Prague, Czech Republic: Elsevier Inc.
• Moore SA, Jakovljevic DG, Ford GA, Rochester L, Trenell MI. The effect of a community exercise intervention on physiological and physical function following stroke: a randomized, controlled trial. In: UK Stroke Forum 2012 Conference. 2012, Harrogate, UK: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
• Bates MGD, Hollingsworth KG, Newman J, Jakovljevic DG, Keavney BD, Blamire AM, MacGowan GA, Chinnery PF, Turnbull DM, Taylor RW, Trenell MI, Gorman GS. Concentric hypertrophic remodelling and subendocardial dysfunction in mitochondrial DNA point mutation carriers. In: Annual Conference of the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS). 2012, Manchester, UK: BMJ Group.
• Newman J, Jakovljevic D, Bates MG, Turnbull DM, Galna B, Trenell MI, Gorman GS. Improving clinical trials evaluation: physiological and functional correlates in mitochondrial disease. In: United Kingdom Neuromuscular Translational Research Conference. 2012, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Elsevier Ltd.
• Bates MG, Hollingsworth KG, Newman J, Jakovljevic D, Dixon BJ, Blamire AM, MacGowan GA, Keavney BD, Chinnery PF, Turnbull DM, Taylor RW, Trenell MI, Gorman GS. Evidence of early cardiac impairment in m.3243A > G mutation carriers. In: United Kingdom Neuromuscular Translational Research Conference. 2012, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK: Elsevier Ltd.
• Jakovljevic DG, Papakonstantinou L, Taylor R, MacGowan G, Trenell MI. Every day physical activity protects against the age related decline in aerobic function but not cardiac pumping capability in normoglycemic women. In: Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease EASD Study Group. 2010, Belgrade, Serbia.
• Jakovljevic DG, Birks EJ, Yacoub MH, Goldspink DF, Tan LB, Brodie DA. Can non-pulsatile continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices confer physiologically desirable cardiac and physical functional benefits during peak exercise?. In: British Cardiovascular Society Annual Conference. 2010, Manchester, UK: Heart.
• Jakovljevic DG, George R, Donovan G, Nunan D, Bougard R, Birks E, Yacoub M, Brodie DA. Resting and exercise haemodynamic and metabolic responses to acute reduction of continuous-flow left ventricular assist device support. European Heart Journal Supplements 2009, 30, 388.
• Donovan G, George R, Jakovljevic DG, Nunan D, Bougard R, Yacoub M, Birks E, Brodie DA. Effects of left ventricular assist devices on heart rate and Vo2 recovery trends following peak exercise: optimal vs reduced unloading speed. European Heart Journal Supplements 2009, 30, 388.
• Nunan D, Jakovljevic DG, Donovan G, Sandercock GRH, Grocott-Mason R, McDonagh S, Brodie DA. Measures of heart rate variability from the Polar S810 and HRV analysis software 1.1: A validity and reliability study in chronic heart failure. In: European Society of Cardiology Congress. 2009, Barcelona, Spain: European Heart Journal, Oxford University Press.
• Jakovljevic DG, Donovan G, Nunan D, GrocottMason R, McDonagh S, Brodie DA. The effect of aerobic versus resistance exercise training on cardiac power output and selected cardio-respiratory variables in patients with stable chronic heart failure. European Journal of Heart Failure 2009, 8(2), 138.
• Donovan G, Nunan D, Jakovljevic DG, Brodie DA. The effects of body positions and gender on heart rate recovery. In: British Association for Sport and Exercise Science Conference. 2009, Leeds Metropolitan University: British Association for Sport and Exercise Science.
• Jakovljevic DG, Donovan G, Nunan D, George R, Bougard R, Birks E, Yacoub M, Brodie DA. Cardiac power output measurements in patients on left ventricular assist devices, explanted (recovered) patients and those with severe heart failure. European Journal of Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation 2008, 15(s1), 111 no. 487.
• Donovan G, Nunan D, Jakovljevic DG, GrocottMason R, McDonagh S, Brodie DA. Heart rate recovery following either an aerobic or resistance exercise intervention in two participants with chronic heart failure: a case study. In: British Cardiovascular Society, Association for Cardiac Rehabilitation. 2008, York,UK.
• Jakovljevic DG, Donovan G, Nunan D, George R, Bougard R, Birks E, Yacoub M, Brodie DA. Relationship between peak cardiac power output and selected cardio-pulmonary variables in patients on left ventricular assist devices, explanted (recovered) patients and those with severe heart failure. European Journal of Heart Failure 2008, 7(1), 73 no. 287.
• Nunan D, Donovan G, Jakovljevic DG, George R, Bougard R, Birks E, Yacoub M, Brodie DA. Assessing autonomic and cardiac function during ‘bridge-to-recovery’ using left ventricular assist device combination therapy – a case study comparison. In: British Cardiovascular Society, Association for Cardiac Rehabilitation. 2007, Cardiff, Wales.
• Jakovljevic DG, Donovan G, Nunan D, George R, Bougard R, Birks E, Yacoub M, Brodie DA. Current tendencies in cardiopulmonary exercise testing in heart failure – role of cardiac power output. In: Physical Activity and Health. 2007, Belgrade,Serbia: International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE).
• Jakovljevic DG, Nunan D, Donovan G, Hodges L, Sandercock GRH, Brodie DA. Direct comparison of two automated metabolic gas analysis systems during exercise. In: 12th Annual Congress of the European College of Sports Science. 2007, Jyvaskyla, Finland: European College of Sport Science.
• Nunan D, Jakovljevic DG, Donovan G, Hodges L, Sandercock GRH, Brodie DA. The reliability of the Polar S810 heart rate monitor and advanced analysis software to assess heart rate variability. In: European College of Sport Science. 2007, Jyvaskyla, Finland.
• Jakovljevic D, Nunan D, Donovan G, Hodges L, Sandercock G, Brodie D. Three different rebreathing methods for measuring cardiac output at rest. In: 12th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. 2007, Jyvaskyla, Finland.
• Jakovljevic DG, Nunan D, Donovan G, George RS, Bougard R, Birks EJ, Yacoub MH, Brodie DA. Cardiac power output in patients with severe heart failure, including those with implanted and explanted left ventricular assist devices. In: Thematic Meeting - Clinical Consequences of Haemodynamic Measurements under Exercise Testing. 2007, Copenhagen, Denmark.
• Hodges L, Jakovljevic DG, Brodie DA. The measurement of cardiac power output using a non-invasive rebreathing method. In: Main Meeting of the Physiological Society. 2006, London, England: Physiological Society.
• Jakovljevic DG, McConnell AK. Influence of different breathing frequencies upon inspiratory muscle fatigue induced by high intensity front crawl swimming. In: 10th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science. 2005, Belgrade,Serbia: European College of Sport Science.
• Hallsworth K, Hollingsworth KG, Thoma C, Jakovljevic DG, MacGowan GA, Anstee QM, Day CP, Taylor R, Trenell MI. Cardiac function improves following high intensity intermittent exercise in adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In: Diabetes UK Annual Professional Conference. 2013, Manchester, UK: Diabetes UK.