Understanding Physiology

Building on the fundamental principles of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics to discover functional activities that support life itself. 

Stephen Cannon

"Our overarching goal is to understand the process by which molecules, cells, and organs interact to maintain vitality and good health... and then leverage this knowledge to gain insights on the mechanism of disease and new opportunities for therapeutic intervention."

Chair's Welcome

Departmental Updates

  • Navid Bavi, Physiology (2)

    The Department of Physiology would like to welcome our newest faculty Dr. Navid Bavi to UCLA. He will be starting with us November 1st, 2023 as Assistant Professor.

  • Chuchu Zhang Physiology

    It is with great pleasure that we would like to welcome our new faculty member Dr. Chuchu Zhang to the Department of Physiology and UCLA. She will be starting September 1st, 2023 as Assistant Professor.

  • Physiology - Prof Ambre Berthole

    June 2023 - Ambre Bertholet joins the 2023 Class of Pew Scholars in Biomedical Sciences where they provide funding to young investigators of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of human health.

    Read More
  • Laura Denardo

    November 2022 - Laura DeNardo received the Janett Rosenberg Trubach Career Development Award from the Society for Neuroscience.

  • Fumito Endo in postdoc Khakh Lab

    November 2022 - Fumit Endo and colleagues in the Khakh lab discovered molecular and structural diversity of astrocytes (the most abundant support cells) across different brain regions and gained new insights on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer

    Read Research Article
  • Greg Brent

    November 2022 - Greg Brent received the John B. Stanbury Thyroid Physiology Medal from the American Thyroid Association.

    Read Research Brief
  • Artificial Intelligence

    September 2022 - Peipei Ping is a member of the MPI team of DGSOM investigators who received U54 Award from the NIH’s Bridge to Artificial Intelligence (Bridge 2AI) program.

    Read News Story
  • Tamir Gonen

    August 2022 - Tamir Gonen won the 2022 A. L. Patterson award from the American Crystallographic Association. 

Discovery Spotlights

Joselyn Soto, Graduate Student, in Khakh Lab

Our Research Programs

The Department has a rich history of landmark discoveries in membrane transport, ion channel biophysics, membrane receptors, contractility, and the electrophysiology of nerve, muscle, and heart.

Research
The UCLA Health community in a moment of solidarity: Summer 2020

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI)

We believe access to education and healthcare is a human right. This core belief guides our approach to educating the next generation of scientists, physicians, and physician-scientists.

Community and Equity