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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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Inaugural Kidney Symposium 2023

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.

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.

Dr. Craig Aspinwall, Hillary V. Schiff and Dr. Scott Boitano

Research Spotlight

New PAR2 antagonist shows promise against asthma

One of the research foci in the Boitano laboratory is the development of antagonists to the G-protein coupled protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) for the long-term purpose of developing drugs to treat asthma and pain. Ms. Hillary V. Schiff, B.S. in Biochemistry and B.A. in French, University of Arizona 2023, took the lead in a recent project, summarized in a 2023 manuscript published in the British Journal of PharmacologyRead more

Henglefelt

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!

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.

Carlos F. Santos, DDS, MSc, PhD

Seminars & Events

Pharmacological approach of acute and chronic oral inflammatory processes

Physiology STAR Seminar Series

Tuesday, March 19, 2024
11:00am - Arizona Health Sciences Center 5403
Dr. Carlos F. Santos, DDS, MSc, PhD; Professor, Discipline of Pharmacology, Vice-Dean, Bauru School of Dentistry from the University of São Paulo.

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!