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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!

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Dr. Claudia Stanescu's head shot from her time as an Olympic swimmer

News

Dr. Stanescu reflects on her time as an Olympian

Claudia Stanescu, PhD, associate professor and director of undergraduate programs in physiology, represented Romania in the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics at the age of 16, competing in the 100-Meter and 200-Meter Backstroke events.  Read more.

coronary expression

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

Meredith Hay, PhD

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.

Randi B. Weinstein, PhD, receives her faculty award

Awards

Dr. Weinstein earns College of Medicine – Tucson faculty teaching award

Randi B. Weinstein, PhD, senior physiology lecturer, was presented with the Excellence in Basic Science Teaching, Undergraduate Medical Curriculum award. Learn more about this award.

Fregosi lab techniques

Research Spotlight

How do we breathe?

The Fregosi Laboratory studies how the motor neurons that control the muscles of the breathing develop, and how perinatal exposure to neurotoxins alters their normal development.  Read more.

Noah Weaver and Andrew Prouty

Student & Alumni Highlights

Two physiology seniors earn University of Arizona awards

Congratulations to Noah Weaver, who won the Robie Gold Medal, and Andrew Prouty, who won the Robert L. Nugent Award at the May 10 University of Arizona graduation ceremony.

Explore all positions and shape the future of physiology with us

Join our team and contribute to advancing the field of physiology!

Apply Now!

excercise lab

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.

coletta lab

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 group shot

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 at match

Alumni

Proud Alumni, Powerful Legacy: The University of Arizona's graduates are leaders, innovators, and change-makers, driving positive impact worldwide.

Melanie Samuel

Seminars & Events

The University of Arizona's College of Medicine-Tucson Department of Physiology presents the Seminars in Translational and Advanced Research (STAR) series, hosting Dr. Melanie Samuel from Baylor College of Medicine.

 

Learn More

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. 

Make a Gift!