Richard Hughson

Schlegel Research Chair in Vascular Aging and Brain Health | Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging

Professor Emeritus | Kinesiology and Health Studies, Faculty of Health

Richard Hughson is Schlegel Research Chair in Vascular Aging and Brain Health at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging. His research focuses on how increased arterial stiffness affects brain blood flow and how older persons experience dizziness and increased risk of falling. He has studied astronauts to understand how and why arteries have “aging-like” changes (increased carotid artery stiffness) after 6-months in space. He is Principal Investigator on 6 projects on the International Space Station including Vascular Calcium that is part of the CIPHER study of astronauts spending one-year in space. 

His research in the science of human health developed from his own participation in competitive distance running and the belief that physical activity contributes to long and healthy lives. Richard Hughson is also Professor Emeritus in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Faculty of Health and a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences. 

Selected Publications:

• Hughson RL, Helm A, Durante M. Heart in space: impact of the extraterrestrial environment on the cardiovascular system. Nature Rev Cardiol 15: 167-180, 2018 
• Wood KN, Murray KR, Greaves DK, Hughson RL. Inflight leg cuff test does not identify the risk for orthostatic hypotension after long-duration spaceflight. Npj Microgravity 5: 22-22, 2019.