Rate My Professor Nigel Barrett

Nigel Barrett serves as the Technical Manager and Electronics Support in the School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences (SPESES) at the University of Otago, listed under Sciences contacts. Possessing a New Zealand Certificate in Engineering (NZCE), he manages the school's Technical Team, overseeing facilities development and maintenance, teaching and research laboratory support, electronics, and health and safety protocols. As Electronics Technician, Barrett designs, constructs, and repairs specialized equipment vital for experiments in sport science, exercise physiology, and related fields. He functions as the primary liaison between SPESES researchers and the university's central workshop team, ensuring seamless collaboration for research infrastructure needs.

With over 30 years of service at the University of Otago, celebrated by SPESES in 2021 as their head technician extraordinaire, Barrett has demonstrated unwavering commitment. In 2018, he was honored with the Division of Sciences Outstanding Administrative Support Award for his pivotal role during a major curriculum overhaul led by Dr Elaine Hargreaves and other changes within the school. Additionally, in 2007, he received a Human Resources staff award recognizing his contributions to the School of Physical Education. These accolades highlight his indispensable administrative and technical support to academic and research activities.

Barrett's expertise supports hands-on teaching, such as in strength and conditioning courses SPEX316 and SPEX416, where students gain practical experience with advanced equipment through partnerships like High Performance Sport NZ. His technical contributions are frequently acknowledged in peer-reviewed publications for assistance with experimental setups and apparatus development. Notable examples include 'No clear benefit of muscle heating on hypertrophy and strength with blood flow restriction training' (2018), 'Validity and Reliability of Movesense HR+ ECG Measurements for Heart Rate Monitoring During Exercise' (2024), 'Swimming-related effects on cerebrovascular and cognitive function' (2019), 'A Multidisciplinary Comparison of Different Techniques Among Elite Sprinters' (2021), 'A randomized, cross-over trial assessing effects of beverage sodium concentration on fluid balance' (2022), and studies on cognitive function under exercise and sleep deprivation (2009), among others. Through these efforts, Barrett enables high-quality research and education in sport and exercise sciences.