Research areas

The Physiology graduate degree program at Penn State offers a broad range of research areas conducted by widely regarded faculty.

The Intercollegiate Graduate Degree Program in Physiology at Penn State offers a broad range of research areas, conducted by faculty, all of whom are widely regarded in their respective fields. State-of-the-art labs offer hands-on learning experiences to graduate students. Students are exposed to body systems at all levels - molecular, cellular, tissues, organs - and study a wide range of human diseases and conditions.

We invite you to explore the research areas below and encourage you to contact us with questions.

Aging and exercise
Research on aging has reached the exciting stage of new insights on health.
Biophysics
Biophysics looks at the structures of living organisms and the mechanisms of life processes.
Cancer
Cancer researchers focus on research questions that span the disease continuum.
Cardiovascular regulation and disease
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in North America.
Energy and nutrient regulation
The regulation of energy and nutrient balance is critical for management of disease.
Immunology and inflammation
Inflammation occurs when the innate immune system is inappropriately activated.
Obesity and diabetes
An estimated one-third of children born today will develop diabetes in their lifetime.
Reproductive biology
Understanding reproductive systems can be used to treat many physiological processes.
Stem cells and regulatory signaling
Potential applications of stem cells in improving health continues to expand and grow.