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Physiology faculty and research

Faculty associated with the Physiology Intercollege Graduate Degree Program at Penn State, together with a summary of their research interests. Faculty are listed in alphabetical order of last name. To see more information about a faculty member, click on his/her name.
Name Email/phone Interests include
Abcouwer, Steven
  • Associate Professor of Surgery
sfa3@psu.edu
717-531-0003
    (Hershey) 		Retinal diseases; inflammation and neurodegeneration in diabetic retinopathy; macular degeneration.
Antonetti, David
  • Assistant Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
dantonetti@psu.edu
717-531-5032
    (Hershey) 		Understanding the changes in retinal vessels that occur in diabetes.
August, Avery
  • Associate Professor of Immunology
  • Co-chair, Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Molecular Medicine
axa45@psu.edu
814-863-3539
    (University Park) 		Regulation of T cell activation, differentiation and allergic asthma induction by ltk (Tec family kinases).
Bartell, Paul
  • Assistant Professor of Avian Biology
pab43@psu.edu
814-867-2365
    (University Park) 		The regulation of biological clocks in birds at the systems level.
Baumrucker, Craig
  • Professor of Animal Nutrition / Physiology
crb@psu.edu
814-863-0712
    (University Park) 		Cell biology and endocrinology related to growth and differentiation of mammary and intestinal tissues. Hormones and growth factors in milk.
Beard, John
  • Professor of Nutrition
jbeard@psu.edu
814-863-2917
    (University Park) 		Iron and monoamine metabolism in nutrition.
Ben-Jebria, Abdellaziz (Aziz)
  • Professor of Chemical Engineering
axb23@psu.edu
814-863-8049
    (University Park) 		Inhalation toxicology. Experimental allergic asthma.
Bronson, Sarah
  • Associate Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
sbronson@psu.edu
717-531-5194
    (Hershey) 		Targeted transgenesis and transgene expression; murine stem cell differentiation/osteogenesis and autoimmunity.
Brown, C. Randell
  • Assistant Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
crb13@psu.edu
717-531-0859
    (Hershey) 		Role of molecular chaperones in fundamental cellular processes.
Cavener, Douglas (Doug)
  • Professor and Head of Biology
drc9@psu.edu
814-865-4562
    (University Park) 		Regulation of gene expression underlying neonatal development & organ system physiology.
Chau, Vincent
  • Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
vxc6@psu.edu
717-531-0020
    (Hershey) 		Protein ubiquitination and the function of ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis.
Chiang, Hui-Ling
  • Associate Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
hxc32@psu.edu
717-531-8566
    (Hershey) 		Regulation of cytosol to lysosome protein targeting and degradation pathway.
Clement, Ryan
  • Assistant Professor of Bioengineering
rclement@psu.edu
814-865-5190
    (University Park) 		Neural engineering and neuroprostheses.
Cooney, Robert
  • Professor of Surgery
  • Chief, Division of General Surgery
rcooney@psu.edu
717-531-6241
    (Hershey) 		Growth hormone mediated gene expression in hepatocytes.
Corwin, Rebecca
  • Associate Professor of Nutrution and Neuroscience
rxc13@psu.edu
814-865-6519
    (University Park) 		Neurobiology of binge-type behavior.
Covasa, Mihai
  • Assistant Professor of Nutrition
mzc13@psu.edu
814-663-2919
    (University Park) 		Control of obesity: reduced sensitivity to satiation signals.
Diaz, Francisco
  • Assistant Professor of Reproductive Biology
fjd10@psu.edu
814-865-1499
    (University Park) 		Ovarian physiology. Role of SMAD-mediated signaling in follicular and female germ cell (oocyte) development.
Donahue, Henry (Hank)
  • Michael and Myrtle Baker Professor of Medicine
hdonahue@psu.edu
717-531-4819
    (Hershey) 		Bone and cartilage cell biology.
Etherton, Terry
  • Department Head, Department of Dairy and Animal Science
  • Distinguished Professor of Animal Nutrition
tetherton@psu.edu
814-863-3665
    (University Park) 		Endocrine regulation of animal growth and nutrient metabolism.
Feith, David
  • Instructor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
dfeith@psu.edu
717-531-6987
    (Hershey)
Gardner, Thomas
  • Professor of Ophthalmology, and Cellular and Molecular Physiology
tgardner@psu.edu
717-531-8783
    (Hershey) 		Cellular and molecular mechanisms in the initiation of diabetic retinopathy.
Gottschall, Jinger
  • Assistant Professor of Kinesiology
jsg20@psu.edu
814-867-2318
   (University Park) 		My research is an integrative study of walking and running by combining the disciplines of cardiovascular physiology, neuromuscular physiology, and mechanical engineering.
Gragnoli, Claudia cug12@psu.edu
   (Hershey) 		Human genetics of monogenic and complex disorders.
Green, Michael
  • Professor of Nutrition Science and Physiology
mhg@psu.edu
814-863-2914
    (University Park) 		Vitamin A metabolism; vitamin A delivery to milk. Lipoprotein metabolism; lipid absorption. Tracer kinetics/mathematical modeling.
Hagen, Daniel
  • Professor of Animal Science
drh@psu.edu
814-863-0723
    (University Park) 		Reproductive physiology, primarily swine.
Hancock, William (Will)
  • Assistant Professor of Bioengineering
wohbio@engr.psu.edu
814-863-0492
    (University Park) 		The detailed workings of motor proteins and their role in intracellular transport and cell motility.
Hankey, Pamela (Pam)
  • Associate Professor of Immunology
phc7@psu.edu
814-863-0128
    (University Park) 		The role of receptor tyrosine kinases in normal physiology and disease progression; the downstream signals that mediate these responses in vivo and in vitro.
Haouzi, Philippe pah31@psu.edu
   (Hershey)
Jefferson, Leonard (Jim)
  • Evan Pugh Professor and Chair of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
jjefferson@psu.edu
717-531-8567
    (Hershey) 		Regulation of gene expression in mammalian cells by hormones and nutrients.
Kauffman, Gordon
  • Professor and Vice Chair of Surgery
  • Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
gkauffman@psu.edu
717-531-8815
    (Hershey) 		Central neural control of gastric mucosal defense.
Kelleher, Shannon
  • Assistant Professor of Nutrition
slk39@psu.edu
814-863-9680
    (University Park) 		Cellular and molecular mechanisms through which mammalian cells regulate trace mineral metabolism and respond to nutritional, environmental and hormonal stimuli.
Kenney, W. Larry
  • Professor of Physiology and Kinesiology
w7k@psu.edu
814-863-1672
    (University Park) 		Environmental and exercise physiology, particularly human thermoregulation, skin blood flow, and the biophysics of heat exchange.
Kensinger, Ronald
  • Associate Professor of Dairy and Animal Science
rsk7@psu.edu
814-863-0558
    (University Park) 		Mechanisms of growth hormone action; molecular mechanisms that regulate low density lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism; animal biotechnology.
Kester, Mark
  • Professor of Pharmacology
mkester@psu.edu
717-531-8964
    (Hershey) 		Regulation of kinase cascades by lipid-derived second messengers.
Killian, Gary
  • Distinguished Professor of Reproductive Physiology
lwj@psu.edu
814-865-5894
    (University Park) 		Cattle reproduction.
Kim, Jason
  • Associate Professor of Medicine
  • Program Director of Penn State Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center
jason.kim@psu.edu
717-531-8575
    (Hershey) 		Glucose metabolism and diabetes.
Kimball, Scot
  • Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
skimball@psu.edu
717-531-8970
    (Hershey) 		Hormonal and nutritional regulation of protein synthesis in eukaryotic cells.
Korzick, Donna
  • Associate Professor of Physiology and Kinesiology
  • Chair, Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Physiology
dhk102@psu.edu
814-865-5679
    (University Park) 		Effects of chronic endurance exercise and senescence on the regulation of cardiovascular function. Ischemia/reperfusion injury and the role of non-genomic estrogen receptor signaling in the aged female rat heart.
LaNoue, Kathryn
  • Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
kfl1@psu.edu
717-531-8155
    (Hershey) 		Neuronal glutamate synthesis and degradation.
Lang, Charles
  • Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, and Surgery
clang@psu.edu
717-531-5538
    (Hershey) 		Regulation of the IGF (Insulin-like Growth Factor) system during catabolic conditions.
Lankford, Edward
  • Associate Professor
ebl3@psu.edu
   (Hershey) 		Myocardial mechanics; gene expression changes with cardiomyopathies.
Lipowsky, Herbert
  • Professor and Chairman of Bioengineering
hhl2@psu.edu
814-865-1407
    (University Park) 		Application of engineering techniques and methods to the solution of problems in the physiology of microvascular function in health and disease.
Liu, Si-Qiong (June)
  • Assistant Professor of Biology
sjl16@psu.edu
814-865-6063
    (University Park) 		Synaptic plasticity and receptor trafficking.
Lynch, Christopher
  • Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
clynch@psu.edu
717-531-5170
    (Hershey) 		Adipose tissue biology, nutrient signaling and obesity.
Marden, James (Jim)
  • Professor of Biology
jhm10@psu.edu
814-863-1384
    (University Park) 		Physiological ecology. Causes and consequences of flight performance in insects.
Mastro, Andrea
  • Professor of Microbiology and Cell Biology
a36@psu.edu
814-863-0152
    (University Park) 		Breast cancer and the immune system.
McAllister, Jan
  • Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology
jxm63@psu.edu
717-531-3588
    (Hershey) 		Regulation of the genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes in the human ovary.
McCarter, Roger
  • Professor of Biobehavioral Health
rjm28@psu.edu
814-865-1717
    (University Park) 		Aging
McCloskey, Diane
  • Assistant Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
dmccloskey@psu.edu
717-531-6987
    (Hershey)
Oatley, Jon
  • Assistant Professor of Reproductive Physiology, Department of Dairy and Animal Science
jmo15@psu.edu
814-865-5987
    (University Park) 		Spermatogenesis: mechanisms regulating self-renewal of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs); SSC application in bulls.
Ott, Troy
  • Associate Professor of Reproductive Physiology
tlo12@psu.edu
814-441-2657
    (University Park) 		Fertility and reproductive immunology in domestic farm animals.
Pawelczyk, James (Jim)
  • Associate Professor of Physiology and Kinesiology
jap18@psu.edu
814-865-3453
    (University Park) 		Neural control of circulation, particularly skeletal muscle blood flow, as it is affected by exercise or spaceflight.
Pegg, Anthony
  • Evan Pugh Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, and Pharmacology
apegg@psu.edu
717-531-8152
    (Hershey) 		Polyamine metabolism; DNA repair.
Peterson, Blaise
  • Associate Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
bpeterson@psu.edu
717-531-8569
    (Hershey) 		Molecular, pharmacological and biophysical properties of voltage-gated ion channels; calcium signaling; malaria; toxins; assay development.
Proctor, David
  • Associate Professor of Kinesiology, Physiology, and Medicine
dnp3@psu.edu
814-863-0724
    (University Park) 		Physiology of aging and exercise; cardiovascular responses to exercise; regulation of skeletal muscle blood flow; skeletal muscle adaptation; vascular adaptation.
Ramachandran, Ramesh
  • Assistant Professor of Neuroendocrinology and Transgenics, Department of Poultry Science
rameshr@psu.edu
814-865-5202
    (University Park) 		The influence of hypothalamic neurotransmitters, hormones, and their receptors on avian reproduction.
Rannels, Stephen
  • Associate Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
ssr4@psu.edu
717-531-6203
    (Hershey) 		Lung development. Role of vitamin K in the lung.
Ray, Chester (Chet)
  • Professor of Medicine, and Cellular and Molecular Physiology
car20@psu.edu
717-531-5310
    (Hershey) 		Neural control of the circulation.
Rolls, Barbara
  • Helen A. Guthrie Chair and Professor of Nutrition
bjr4@psu.edu
814-863-8572
    (University Park) 		Psychological and physiological controls of food intake and selection in normal weight and obese humans across the life span.
Scaduto, Russ
  • Associate Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
rscaduto@psu.edu
717-531-6064
    (Hershey) 		Assessment of cellular permeability. Role of calcium in coupling of respiration to the energy demands of the heart.
Shantz, Lisa
  • Assistant Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
lshantz@psu.edu
717-531-6987
    (Hershey) 		Regulation of protein synthesis in Ras transformation.
Sharkey, Neil
  • Professor of Kinesiology
nas9@psu.edu
814-863-1766
    (University Park) 		Functional aspects of the musculoskeletal system.
Shashikant, Cooduvalli
  • Associate Professor of Molecular and Developmental Biology
css13@psu.edu
814-863-0658
    (University Park) 		Developmental and evolutionary aspects of regulation of patterning genes.
Shenberger, Jeffrey
  • Associate Professor
jss32@psu.edu
717-531-8413
    (Hershey) 		Effects of hyperoxia.
Shi, Yuguang (Roger)
  • Associate Professor, Cellular & Molecular Physiology
yus11@psu.edu
717-531-8566
    (Hershey) 		Molecular mechanisms underlying the causes of diabetes and obesity
Simpson, Ian
  • Professor of Neural and Behavioral Sciences
ixs10@psu.edu
717-531-4156
    (Hershey) 		Mechanism(s) of transport of nutrients across the blood -brain barrier; the inter-relationship between diabetes and stroke.
Ultman, James
  • Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering
jsu@psu.edu
814-863-4802
    (University Park) 		Mass transport in biological systems and medical devices, respiratory physiology, environmental toxicology.
Vary, Thomas
  • Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
tvary@psu.edu
717-531-5014
    (Hershey) 		Protein synthesis in inflammation and sepsis, and in development of alcoholic cardiomyopathy.
Vasilatos-Younken, Regina
  • Senior Associate Dean of the Graduate School
  • Professor of Poultry Science, Endocrine Physiology, and Nutrition
rxv@psu.edu
814-865-2516
    (University Park) 		Role of endocrine and metabolic factors in the regulation of muscle and adipose tissue growth.
Williams, Nancy
  • Associate Professor of Kinesiology
niw1@psu.edu
814-865-1346
    (University Park) 		Exercise physiology, effects of alterations in energy balance on reproductive function, neuroendocrinology, metabolism, clinical issues pertaining to women's health and reproductive status.
Zhu, Jiyue
  • Assistant Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology
joz1@psu.edu
717-531-3597
    (Hershey) 		Molecular mechanisms of cellular immortalization and cancers.