Robin Thorpe PhD

Director, Sports Performance, Science & Innovation

United States

About

An experienced practitioner and leader with a proven track record in advancing high performance & health athlete support, and organisational strategic outcomes across professional sport. Most recently, in a strategic leadership role leading a Performance Department of interdisciplinary specialists, establishing effective, efficient and innovative systems designed to achieve maximum impact and outcomes. A detailed and effective human performance consultant, and special insights advisor working across international sport and previously Director of Performance & Innovation working with Olympic athletes. For a decade, Head of Recovery and Regeneration and Senior Performance Scientist & Coach at Manchester United F.C. overseeing and managing the performance & medicine recovery & regeneration for all professional athletes in the organisation. During 10 seasons at Manchester United F.C. part of a winning team achieving 10 national/international titles and working under some of the greatest sporting leaders of all time. Completed a PhD and published innovative applied research whilst working in professional sport. Pushed the boundaries of elite athlete health surveillance and performance benchmarking. Academic positions of Adjunct Professor at Arizona State University as well as Visiting Research Fellow at Liverpool John Moores University, obtained, an acknowledgement of exceptional high performance research in the field.

Experience

  • Visiting Research Fellow at The Manchester Metropolitan University
    Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

  • Medical and Performance Unit (MPU) Advisory at European Football Clubs
    Jan 2026 - Present · 6 mos

  • Adjunct Professor at Arizona State University
    May 2021 - Present · 5 yrs 2 mos

  • Scientific Advisor - Performance at Therabody
    Jan 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 6 mos

  • Visiting Research Fellow at Liverpool John Moores University
    Jun 2017 - Jan 2026 · 8 yrs 8 mos