Exercise Physiology Protective Clothing Expert Witness Tom McLellan

Tom M. McLellan, Phd, is an Exercise and Environmental Physiologist whose expertise is in understanding the limitations of working in Protective Clothing, as well as developing strategies to Optimize Physical and Cognitive Performance During Sustained Operations.

Consulting / Litigation Support - Dr. McLellan works as a consultant researching and writing articles for clients in the United States and Canada’s Department of Defense. He also provides service as an expert consultant for legal firms and as an expert witness for the effects of caffeine in energy drinks. Projects include research support to the US Army, University of Ottawa, and Defence R&D Canada.

Dr. McLellan's areas of expertise include:

Exercise Physiology: Respiratory Physiology Acid-Base Regulation Blood Lactate Response Ergogenic Aids Nutritional Supplements Immuno-inflammatory Response to Acute and Chronic Stress

Heat Strain in Protective Clothing: Aerobic Fitness Heat Acclimation Hydration Gender Menstrual Cycle Body Composition Work / Rest Cycles

Background Experience - Dr. McLellan worked as a Defense Scientist at Defence R&D Canada in Toronto for 27 years before retiring from the Public Service in 2012. Dr. McLellan’s research expertise evolved during the original Gulf War in 1991 when the Allied Forces were in need of evidence-based recommendations for operating in the extreme environments of the Middle East while wearing Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Protective Clothing.

Dr. McLellan conducted numerous laboratory trials to study the influence of fitness, hydration, heat acclimation, sex, circadian rhythm, body composition, microclimate cooling, metabolic rate and the environment on heat tolerance while wearing the NBC clothing. His research led to work and rest guidelines for Canadian Forces personnel and other NATO Forces wearing the protective clothing. In addition, he was contacted and subsequently developed similar guidelines for the Toronto Fire Service and other Fire Services across Ontario, which led to a citation award from the Toronto Fire Service in 2004.

Dr. McLellan also established an expertise on the use of caffeine during sustained military operations to maintain physical and cognitive performance during these overnight clandestine operations that provide little opportunity for sleep. Together with military scientists in the United States and New Zealand several evidence-based field trials were conducted with Special Forces personnel to document the benefits of using a caffeinated gum during overnight periods of sleep loss. The findings led to the production of Stay Alert gum for use by deployed service personnel.

Author / Educator - Dr. McLellan has published over 150 peer-reviewed scientific articles and government reports. Dr. McLellan was presented with an achievement award for outstanding collaborative research within the international community of military scientists four times over his career. He held adjunct appointments at York University in Toronto, was a full professor at the University of Toronto and currently holds an adjunct appointment at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa, Ontario. He also served as an Associate Editor of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise for 7 years.