Artist's rendering of human body and large-scale DNA molecule.

Integrative and Biomedical Physiology

Reduce disease and improve the health of individuals through research ranging from molecular and cellular physiology to human organ systems

Program Overview

The Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Integrative and Biomedical Physiology—ranked among the top-10 physiology programs in the country—trains students to advance society’s understanding of how body systems work at all levels—molecular, cellular, tissues, and organs—and to apply that knowledge toward reducing disease and improving the health of individuals. The program’s recently awarded NIH Predoctoral Training Program in Stress Physiology includes a cutting-edge interdiscliplinary curriculum that prepares students to enter the 21st century biomedical workforce. To learn more, view a short video about our program.

Program Benefits

News

Ganda, Kovac and Hao named Huck chairs

A trio of Penn State faculty members have been named Huck chairs by the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences in recognition of their research endeavors and track records of service to key Huck units.

Fourteen interdisciplinary research teams receive 2026 IEE seed grants

Fourteen interdisciplinary research teams have received funding through the Institute of Energy and the Environment’s (IEE) 2026 Seed Grant Program. The program supports basic and applied research that lays the groundwork to pursue external funding and is guided by IEE’s five strategic research themes. This year, the program awarded seed funding to more than 40 researchers across 10 colleges and campuses and 21 departments and units.

Huck names Leadership Fellows for 2026-27

The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences has selected three faculty members to serve as Huck Leadership Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year. The competitive program prepares faculty for future leadership roles while engaging them in strategic initiatives that advance interdisciplinary research at Penn State.

Elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy may result in poorer birth outcomes

Pregnant women in the United States are routinely tested for gestational diabetes, a condition where the body has high blood sugar during pregnancy that can lead to health problems for both mothers and babies. In a recent study led by Penn State researchers, scientists examined records from thousands of births and found that failing the glucose challenge test was associated with babies with higher birth weights — a risk factor for future obesity and diabetes — even when women passed their second glucose test.