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
Brian Pearse earns a pair of advising awards
Congratulations to Brian Pearse, who was recently awarded the Excellence in Advising – New Advisor by the University of Arizona Advising Resource Center, and the NACADA Region 10 Excellence in Advising – New Advisor. Read more about the awards.
Publication Highlights
Social status as a latent variable in the amygdala of observers of social interactions
Third-party viewers of pairwise dominant-subordinate interactions infer social status from the observed behaviors. Neurons in the amygdala are tuned to the inferred dominant/subordinate status of the observed individuals.
Read More in Neuron
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
Drs. Eggers and Rankin named Women of Impact
Erika Eggers, PhD, associate department head for research and professor of physiology, and Lucinda (Cindy) Rankin, PhD, associate professor and director of the Physiology Honors Academy, were both recognized as Women of Impact by UAHS and RII. Read more about this honor.
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.
Student & Alumni Highlights
Alumni Q&A: Dr. Mandy Agbannawag
Recently, the Department of Physiology caught up with Mandy Agbannawag, PT, DPT, for a Q&A. Dr. Agbannawag is a 2015 alumna of the University of Arizona Department of Physiology who went on to earn her doctorate in physical therapy from Northern Arizona University in 2018. Read more about Dr. Agbannawag.
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
The University of Arizona's College of Medicine-Tucson Department of Physiology presents the Seminars in Translational and Advanced Research (STAR) series, hosting Dr. Jason Bourne from the National Institute of Mental Health.
The seminar will be held in-person on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 11:00 am in AHSC 8403.
The lecture will also be available via Zoom.
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.