Staff Profile

I am a Clinical Physiology Lecturer and registered Clinical Scientist at Newcastle University. As an accredited member of the British Society of Echocardiography (BSE), I perform and interpret transthoracic echocardiograms in a range of patients with heart disease and co-morbid conditions. I am also a BSE examiner responsible for maintaining high standards when candidates are applying for BSE accreditation.

My main duties at the University include being module lead and provide lectures on the Clinical Science MSc course involved in developing and supporting the Scientist Training Programme offered by the National School of Healthcare Science.

Prior to working at Newcastle University I was performing the duties of a Highly Specialised Cardiac Physiologist based at Newcastle Hospitals and supporting students on the MSc Scientist Training programme (STP) and BSc Practitioner training programme (PTP). I successfully applied for Clinical Scientist equivalency in 2018 and I am registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).  

My current research interests are the assessment of diastolic function with the use of transthoracic echocardiography which includes left ventricular and atrial deformation imaging. I am starting my PhD soon which will evaluate the role of left atrial strain in the assessment of diastolic function.  

Before I studied cardiovascular rehabilitation (MSc) in 2008, I studied my second undergraduate BSc in Clinical Physiology in 2012 which was a requirement to become a qualified Cardiac Physiologist. My first undergraduate BSc in 2003 in Sport and Exercise Science at York St John University.

I am the Module leader for numerous courses attached to the Clinical Science MSc programme.

CVR8008 – Ultrasound Imaging in Cardiac Diseases.

CVR8007 – Diagnostic Approaches and Current Treatment of Cardiovascular Disorders.

CVR8004 – Clinical Assessment and Investigation.

As well as teaching on the above modules, I also teach and contribute to:

MSC8002 – Research Skills for Healthcare Professionals.

BMS2002 – Cell Biology and Disease.

CVR8001 – Introduction to Cardiac Science.

PSC2020 – Cardiovascular System Physiology.

• Luke P, Shepherd E, Irvine T, Duncan R. Echocardiographic diagnosis of permanent pacemaker lead malposition in the left ventricle: A case study. Echocardiography 2020, 37(12), 2163-2167.
• Luke P, Eggett C, Spyridopoulos I, Irvine T. A comparative analysis of British and American Society of Echocardiography recommendations for the assessment of left ventricular diastolic function. Echo Research and Practice 2018, 5(4), 139 - 147.
• Batty JA, Subba S, Luke P, Gigi LWC, Sinclair H, Kunadian V. Intracoronary Imaging in the Detection of Vulnerable Plaques. Current Cardiology Reports 2016, 18(3), 28.
• Luke P, Booth K, Kindawi A, Eggett C. Type A aortic dissection: Why there is still a role for echocardiography when every second counts. SAGE Open Medical Case Reports 2020, 8.