Chris graduated from the University of Glamorgan with a First class honours degree in Sport and Exercise Science. Following his graduation, he was awarded a prestigious JPR Williams Research Scholarship at the same institution, which allowed him to work towards an MPhil in Exercise Physiology. In 2012, Chris began working towards his PhD entitled “Cardiorespiratory fitness and its impact on cerebrovascular function: link to cognition”, which he completed in 2016.

He was appointed as Lecturer in Exercise Physiology at The University of South Wales in 2015 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2018. Between January and March 2023, he was appointed as Head of Subject for Sport on an interim basis.

Chris has also:
- Lectured at Cardiff Metropolitan University, where he contributed to the Exercise Physiology, as well as the Physical Activity, Health and Special Population modules.
- Facilitated the delivery of two multi-site, randomised control trials, which were funded by the National Institute of Social Care and Health Research Cymru and led by Cardiff University. The trials aimed to assess the feasibility and potential functional benefits of physical activity (Engage-HD) and structured exercise training (ExeRT-HD) in patients diagnosed with the neurodegenerative condition Huntington’s disease.
- Acted as the Stroke Research Coordinator for the Older People and Ageing Research Network Cymru situated within Swansea University, where he was responsible for facilitating new and developing existing innovative collaborations in stroke research in Wales.

Chris is course leader for:
MSc Sport, Health & Exercise Science

Chris is module leader for the following modules:
Exercise Physiology (SR4S043)
Maximising Human Performance (SR4S064; Joint module leader)
Exercise Physiology III (SR3S14)
Environmental Physiology (SR3S07)
Exercise Physiology I (SR1S49)

Chris also contributes to the following modules:
Research Project (SR4T001)
Dissertation (SR3D005)

1. Physical activity and diet as a means of preserving brain health.
2. Head injuries in sport.
3. Factors that influence oxygen delivery to the brain.

Research website: https://exercise.research.southwales.ac.uk/

Research twitter handle: @USW_Oxygen

Personal twitter handle: @Dr_CJMarley

Professional Memberships
Physiological Society.
American College of Sports Medicine.
Peer-review Activities
Experimental Physiology.
Frontiers Neurology

Grant Applications
University of South Wales Strategic Research and Impact Grant: £15,000
Physiological Society Travel Grant, 2011-2012, 2014-2016 and 2018-2019.
International Union of Physiological Sciences Travel Grant, Birmingham, 2013.
JPR Williams Research Scholarship recipient, 2010.