Physiology
Welcome to the Department of Physiology
Established in 1914, the Department of Physiology is dedicated to exploring the intricate workings of living systems through studying the biological and chemical processes governing their functions. We are an internationally renowned teaching and research-intensive department ranked 21st amongst Physiology Departments worldwide (QS World University Research Rankings 2022). The Department runs a large undergraduate program with more than 2500 students from diverse programs registered in the 28 courses we offer in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year. We also run an Undergraduate Honors Program that has enjoyed almost 300 per cent growth in the last five years, reaching 199 students in 2021-22.
Programs
Undergraduate Degree Program
The Honors Program is designed to prepare students for advanced study leading to careers in academia, industrial research, or for entry into health-related professions. A choice of courses is available for students with interests in particular branches of the life sciences, such as cell and molecular biology, endocrinology, cardiovascular physiology, neurobiology and perinatal research.
Graduate Degree Programs
The Department of Physiology offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. The Department is well equipped with facilities for many fields of physiological research, including cardiovascular physiology, cellular physiology, endocrinology, renal physiology, respiratory physiology, and neuroscience.
Graduate Training Opportunities
There any many opportunities within the Department to engage in thesis-based research. Browse through some of the available graduate training positions and contact a faculty member performing research that align with your interests.
Spring, Summer, and Winter Terms 2024
Online Asynchronous
PHYSL 210A & PHYSL 210B - Human Physiology
In this two-part course, students study the function and regulation of the human body and the complexities and interactions of cells, tissues, major organs and systems. This course is offered as a classroom-based course or in an online format.
Kyla Smith
Spring Term 2024
Online Asynchronous
PHYSL412 - Physiology in History and Popular Culture
Key historical scientific/medical discoveries as well as modern socio-cultural phenomena serve as a catalyst for discussion of fundamental concepts in Physiology spanning all body systems. Highlighted case presentations facilitate application of physiology knowledge through discovery learning approaches to study historical foundations and modern marvels by evoking vivid imagery, curiosity and relatability.
Shereen Hamza
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Dynamic History
The Department has evolved from humble beginnings in Pembina Hall in 1913 to a renowned research and teaching hub.
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Research Excellence
The Department of Physiology was ranked 21st amongst Physiology Departments worldwide. (QS World University Research Rankings 2022)
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Graduate Training
The Department of Physiology has well-established laboratories, training opportunities, and state-of-the-art programs, which provide an ideal training environment for graduate students.
Message from the Chair
Physiology is the integrative study of cellular and whole-body function; it links other biomedical sciences with experimental and clinical medicine.
We are an internationally renowned teaching and research-intensive department, and we are proud of our international reputation and the diverse, collegial environment we have established. Our Graduate program offers thesis-based MSc and PhD degrees and has grown approximately 20 per cent in the last five years.
I invite you to continue exploring our website to learn more about our research and training/career opportunities. I also encourage you to contact our staff with any questions that arise, including questions about how departmental programs might help you achieve personal goals.
Enjoy your virtual visit to Physiology at the U of A.
Gregory Funk
Professor and Chair
NEWS
Davidge Group Uncovers Benefits of Aspirin in Excessively High Cholesterol Pregnancies
High cholesterol in pregnancy is normal but excessively high levels can be dangerous to a mother's health. Led by Dr. Amanda de Oliveira, the team revealed how daily low dose aspirin can help reduce the risk of a potentially lethal condition.
UPSA Featured in "The Gateway"
Behind every great department is a great student community! Congratulations to the Undergraduate Physiology Students' Association on their feature in the university's official student newspaper! It's a well-earned nod to two decades of enthusiasm, leadership, and student support.
Dr. Jackson Explores How the Developing Brain Transitions From "Shouting" to "Stabilizing"
In their latest paper, Dr. Jackson's lab has unveiled how signals coming from the brain’s "conductor," the claustrum, undergoes a dramatic developmental flip to ensure healthy brain function and emotional regulation.
Emily Berg Wins the A Catharine Ross Award in Experimental Nutrition
Congratulations to doctoral student Emily Berg who won this year's award recognizing an outstanding experimental nutrition paper published in The Journal of Nutrition!
Dr. Cordat reveals how one protein's dysfunction can turn one's life acidic
In her latest paper in the journal eLife, Dr. Emmanuelle Cordat has reveals how mutations in a critical pH balancing system can lead to tubular acidosis and disrupt intracellular pH, impairing autophagy and cellular energy production. Her work offes a new mechanistic framework for understanding this rare inherited kidney disorder.
Dr. Ioannou has won the 2026 New Investigator Award from the Canadian Association for Neuroscience
Congratulations to Dr. Maria Ioannou on this latest achievement in an illustrious career! We take time to look at Dr. Ioannou's successes and accolades that have come over the years and what to expect in the future.
Dr. Oudit To Test A Common Supplement Against Long COVID
Dr. Gavin Oudit has been looking at taurine as a possible treatment for Long COVID. He has recently published an analysis of taurine's benefits and why it could be so valuable for those who are affected. It's well worth the read!
Dr. Davidge's Team Discovers The Trouble With Too Much Cholesterol During Pregnancy
Dr. Adrianne Watson discusses a new finding that may one day lead to better health recommendations during pregnancy. Thanks to first author Dr. Murilo Graton, we now have a glimpse into what high cholesterol can do to heart health even before birth.
Dr. Kassiri Gives The Heart a Helping Hand
Dr. Nayiar Shahid reveals how Dr. Kassiri's group, led by first author Yinxi Li, explored the moments after a heart attack and learned why timing is everything when it comes to giving the body some help in the healing process. This information can lead to a better understanding of how to help patients recover better and live longer.
Dr. Leslie Leads A Collaboration To Understand An Age Old Mystery
Dr. Nayiar Shahid takes us into the world of arsenic exposure and explains how some versions of the transporter protein MRP1 struggle to eject toxic arsenic cargo, revealing why certain people may be at higher risk of arsenic induced toxicity.
Dr. Chan's lab discovers non-fat milk consumption may help prevent liver fat accumulation
As Dr. Stepheny Zani reveals, Dr. Chan's research suggests adding nonfat milk to your grocery list might help to maintain your liver’s health.
Dr. Kassiri's Lab Discovers A Surprising Function for A Key Role Player in Cardiovascular Health
As Dr. Stepheny Zani explains, co-lead authors Dr. Ilamaran Meganathan and Tolga Kilic discovered how making less foam inside blood vessels - with the help of ADAM17 - may contribute to a lower risk for cardiovascular diseases.
Congratulations To Dr. Clugston For Excellence In Mentoring Award!
The students of the Faculty of Medicine and Denistry have selected Dr. Clugston as one of this year's winners recognizing his committment to student success.
Three Department of Physiology Postdoctoral Trainees awarded coveted WCHRI Postdoctoral Fellowship!
Congratulations to Drs. Anissa Armet, Gabriele Matteoli, and Amanda Lim Deluque for being named fellows from the Women and Children's Health Research Institute! You can read about all the fellowship on the WCHRI announcement!
Congratulations to our NSERC Award Recipients!
The department is excited to announce that Drs. Xing-Zhen Chen, Robin Clugston and Elaine Leslie were granted awards from the latest NSERC Discovery Grant competition. Click on the button to learn more about their research and award-winning projects!
Congratulations to our CIHR Project Grant Award Recipients!
The department is excited to announce that Drs. Todd Alexander, Zamaneh Kassiri, Bradley Kerr, Elaine Leslie, and David Olson were granted awards from the CIHR Fall 2024 Project grant competition. Click on the button to learn more about their research and award-winning projects!
Another milestone for the Riddell Lab in solving the mysteries of placental development, function and disease.
Congratulations to Dr. Meghan Riddell and doctoral student Wendy Duan for their recent publication, Placental cytotrophoblast microvillar stabilization is required for cell-cell fusion, in the April 2025 issue of the prestigious journal, Development! You can learn more about the lab, the research, and a few other interesting tidbits about these two incredible researchers by reading, The people behind the papers: Wendy Duan and Meghan Riddell.
Fat in the brain could be key to new treatments for Parkinson’s disease, says researcher
Maria Ioannou is leading foundational research on understanding lipids in the brain that could reveal new targets for therapies to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease.
Hard-to-study region of the brain comes alive during our deepest sleep
U of A lab develops new techniques to understand how the claustrum helps consolidate learning and memories.