Welcome to the Department of Physiology at the University of Arizona!
Nestled in the heart of the vibrant Tucson community, our department stands at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries and innovative teaching methods that shape the future of healthcare and biomedical sciences.
Whether you are a student, a researcher, or a visitor, please explore our website and join us on a journey of discovery, learning, and innovation as we continue to push the boundaries of knowledge in physiology.
Welcome, and enjoy your exploration!
Explore all positions and shape the future of physiology with us.
Join our team and contribute to advancing the field of physiology!
News
Inaugural Kidney Symposium
The inaugural Kidney Symposium brought together scientists and clinicians from across the university.
On October 20, renal-focused researchers from the broader University of Arizona community gathered for the Inaugural University of Arizona Kidney Symposium, presented by the Program for Kidney Health and Disease (PKHD) in the Department of Physiology at the College of Medicine – Tucson and the BIO5 Institute. This event celebrated groundbreaking renal research happening within the labs at the University, highlighted core services and resources available, and discussed areas of research where collaborations can be built. Read more.
Publication Highlights
Coronary plaque sampling for omic analysis
Much of our understanding of human coronary atherosclerosis is extrapolated from studies of animal models or expired patients.
The Liang group and their collaborators developed a coronary plaque sampling approach that could be applied broadly in live patients. Their approach combined RNA retrieval directly from balloons used in percutaneous coronary intervention and inexpensive, low-input RNA-Seq.
They studied 27 patients and obtained novel insights into human coronary plaque pathology. Read more
Major Grants
Dr. Hay earns grant to develop new therapeutics for vascular dementia
The National Institute on Aging, an institute within the National Institutes of Health, recently awarded Meredith Hay, PhD, professor of physiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, a four-year, $8,817,641 grant to continue her team’s work on developing new therapeutics to treat vascular dementia, which is the second-most common type of dementia and accounts for 17% to 30% of all cases of dementia according to Alzheimer’s Disease International. Read more about the grant.
Awards
Dr. Gothard to Deliver Founders Day Lecture
Katalin Gothard, MD, PhD, professor of physiology, neurology and neuroscience, will deliver the 2023 Founders Day Lecture on November 17. Dr. Gothard will present “A journey to the center of the emotional brain” in the HSIB forum. Read here for more information.
Research Spotlight
The physiology of inspiratory resistance training
Inspiratory resistance training (IRT) is a highly abbreviated resisted breathing exercise that yields substantial reductions in blood pressure, secondary to the repeated generation of large negative intrathoracic pressures. Fiona Bailey, Ph.D., and her team have been exploring the effects of regular IRT performance on blood pressure, arterial function, and sympathetic activity for several years. Recently, Dallin Tavoian, Ph.D., an American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellow in the Bailey Laboratory, has been investigating the mechanisms of action that lead to these long-term changes by characterizing blood flow during IRT. Read more
Student & Alumni Highlights
Alumni Q&A: Dr. Steven Henglefelt
Recently, the Department of Physiology caught up with Steven Henglefelt, MD, a 2012 alumnus of the Department of Physiology who went on to earn his medical degree from the College of Medicine – Tucson. Read more
Explore all positions and shape the future of physiology with us
Join our team and contribute to advancing the field of physiology!
Undergraduate Program
Explore the wonders of the human body and its intricate functions with our highly-regarded Physiology & Medical Sciences program at the University of Arizona! Learn about our curriculum and how you can customize your degree to prepare for your unique career and professional school goals.
Graduate Programs
Unlock your potential and become a trailblazer in your field with the University of Arizona's Graduate Program. At the University of Arizona, physiologists are at the frontier of biomedical research. Our discoveries and techniques rapidly translate into clinical breakthroughs to treat and cure human diseases.
Faculty
Where Expertise Meets Inspiration: Our diverse and accomplished faculty at the University of Arizona are shaping minds and advancing knowledge to build a brighter future for all.
Alumni
Proud Alumni, Powerful Legacy: The University of Arizona's graduates are leaders, innovators, and change-makers, driving positive impact worldwide.
Seminars & Events
"Enhancing Cellular Proteostasis as a Therapy for Heart Failure"
Physiology Seminar Series
December 1, 2023
11:00am - Keating 103
Dr. Erik Blackwood, UA Phoenix
Support Physiology at the UA!
Funds from private philanthropy and government and institutional grants support the Department of Physiology at the University of Arizona. While every source of funding is important, private philanthropic support is especially vital to the success of the department's research and teaching efforts.