1. Physiology The Science of Life
How to use this PowerPoint (Information for Presenter Only)
Purpose
This PowerPoint is specifically designed for use with lower level undergraduate (first 2 years) students. For these students, the goal of this presentation is to introduce physiology as a scientific discipline, briefly describe what it is and why it’s important, and personalize physiology by describing some physiologists and what they do. The presentation encourages the early undergraduate students to choose a career in physiology and graduate school. Students also are encouraged to explore physiology further through the APS website resources.
Format
Presentations should be no more than 30 minutes, with 2 minute on average spent on each slide = slides. Include at least one slide on yourself and your research, telling the students how you became interested in science (templates included). The presentation includes three sections:
What Is Physiology?
Meet a Physiologist
Would You Like to be a Physiologist?
Sponsor
This presentation is sponsored by the Career Opportunities in Physiology Committee of the American Physiological Society, Bethesda, MD. Please contact the APS Education Office for additional information or to offer suggestions
©2010 The American Physiological Society. Permission granted for workshop use.

2. What is Physiology? Physiology is the study of life processes
How living systems work at many levels
 Molecular level
 Organ and systems levels
 Whole organism level
How living systems respond
to physical activity
to environmental conditions
How the genome translates
into function at different
levels
Physiology is the study of how life works! It explores how living systems work, from the basic molecular level (DNA and genes) to organ systems (heart, lungs, kidney) to the whole organism (human, animal). It describes how the organism responds to physical activities and to the environment around it, whether in the vacuum of space or the depths of the ocean.
Physiology not only helps us understand how living systems function normally, but also how their functions are affected by diseases and aging. Physiological function can be explored not only on the tissue, organ, and systems level but within cells, as well. Physiology allows us to explore how the genome translates into function not only on the cellular level but even to the whole organism.

3. Why is Physiology Important?
Physiology expands our
Understanding of…
What “life” is
How life processes work and are regulated
Diseases and how to treat them
How living organisms cope with or
adapt to different environments
Why is physiology important? Physiology is important because it is the basis on which we expand our knowledge of what "life" is and how life processes work and are regulated. It allows us to understand diseases and how to treat them. And it explains how our bodies cope with stresses imposed on them by different environments.

4. What Do Physiologists Study?
Plants
Vertebrates, such as:
 Humans and other mammals
 Birds
 Reptiles
 Amphibians
 Fish
Invertebrates, such as:
 Insects
 Worms
 Mollusks
Physiologists study diverse living organisms. Some study plants, others study living systems in animals. Many different types of animals have been used to help us understand the function of living systems. These include vertebrates such as humans, other mammals (rats, mice, squirrels, whales), birds (geese, hawks), reptiles (snakes, turtles, alligators), amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders), and fish. They also have studied invertebrates such as insects, worms, and mollusks. Physiologists study such a wide variety of organisms because each one has been found to be uniquely suited and relevant to the study of some complex aspect of physiology.
No matter whether they work with animals or people, physiologists always carefully design and carry out their experiments using the ABC rule. Living organisms are only used in experiments that are:
Appropriate (that is, they follow all the rules for using animals or people in research, have all experiments and procedures approved in advance before they are completed, and use the minimum number of animals necessary),
Beneficial (that is, they are only used in experiments that answer important questions that can help people and animals live longer and better lives), and
Caring (that is, animals and people in research studies are treated with concern and the very best care).

5. What Do Physiologists Study?
Physiologists follow the ABC rules for use of living organisms:
Appropriate Beneficial Caring
Physiologists study diverse living organisms. Some study plants, others study living systems in animals. Many different types of animals have been used to help us understand the function of living systems. These include vertebrates such as humans, other mammals (rats, mice, squirrels, whales), birds (geese, hawks), reptiles (snakes, turtles, alligators), amphibians (frogs, toads, salamanders), and fish. They also have studied invertebrates such as insects, worms, and mollusks. Physiologists study such a wide variety of organisms because each one has been found to be uniquely suited and relevant to the study of some complex aspect of physiology.
No matter whether they work with animals or people, physiologists always carefully design and carry out their experiments using the ABC rule. Living organisms are only used in experiments that are:
Appropriate (that is, they follow all the rules for using animals or people in research, have all experiments and procedures approved in advance before they are completed, and use the minimum number of animals necessary),
Beneficial (that is, they are only used in experiments that answer important questions that can help people and animals live longer and better lives), and
Caring (that is, animals and people in research studies are treated with concern and the very best care).

6. What Kinds of Questions Do Physiologists Ask?
Example:
How do mutations in genes affect cellular, organ, and bodily function in health and disease?
Tools, Techniques and Models:
Use molecular biology techniques
to study DNA, RNA, and cell
proteins in cells in culture
Measure organ function in rat and
mouse strains with single gene
mutations or gene “knock-outs”
Physiologists answer key questions ranging from the workings inside single cells to the interactions between human populations and our environment here on land, under the sea, and in space. Physiologists answer these questions using many different types of tools, techniques, and experimental models. Let’s look at a few examples:
Some physiologists explore how mutations in genes affect cellular, organ and bodily function in health and disease. They might use molecular biology techniques to study DNA, RNA, and cell proteins in cells derived from cancer tumors that are now grown in cell cultures. Others might measure organ function in special rat and mouse strains with single gene mutations or gene “knock-outs.”
Physiologists study such a wide variety of organisms because each one has been found to be uniquely suited and relevant to the study of some complex aspect of physiology.
For example, genetically engineered mouse strains that have sickle cell anemia can be used to study the human disease. Their bone marrow cells can be treated with a virus containing DNA expressing -globin, which prevents polymerization of the sickle cell variant of hemoglobin and cures the disease.

7. What Kinds of Questions Do Physiologists Ask?
Example: Can exercise decrease the loss of calcium from the bones that occurs when a person is exposed to microgravity (space)?
Tools, Techniques and Models:
Use a specialized X-ray machine to measure bone density before and after space flight in those who did and did not exercise on a treadmill while in microgravity.
Other physiologists research how the human body responds to stress or an altered environment, such as long-term microgravity. These physiologists may examine whether exercise can decrease the loss of calcium from the bones that typically occurs when a person is exposed to microgravity (space). They might measure bone density with a special X-ray machine before and after space flight both in astronauts who exercised on a specially designed treadmill while in space and in those who did not exercise.

8. What Kinds of Questions Do Physiologists Ask?
Example: Why do some persons with diabetes have depressed heart pump function?
Tools, Techniques and Models:
Use heart cells isolated from normal rats and rats with diabetes
Use electrophysiological, biochemical,
pharmacological, and molecular biology
techniques to study why diabetic heart cells work differently than normal heart cells
Physicians have learned that some persons with diabetes have depressed heart pump function. Physiologists explore how this happens. One way of doing this is to use heart cells isolated from normal rats and rats with diabetes. They use electrophysiological and biochemical techniques to study why diabetic heart cells work differently than normal heart cells.

9. Meet a Physiologist: Evangeline Motley
Evangeline Motley, Ph.D.
Meharry Medical College
Nashville, Tennessee
When she was young, Evangeline Motley planned to be a medical doctor. Later on, she found that she liked doing research in a laboratory even more than she liked medicine. She decided to earn a doctoral degree in physiology rather than a medical degree. She wanted to work for a pharmaceutical company and develop new drugs to treat cardiovascular disease and had an opportunity to do her doctoral dissertation work at SmithKline Beecham. Although she planned to work in the pharmaceutical industry after receiving her doctorate, friends encouraged her to not only do research but also to teach students how to become medical doctors. She took their advice and, today, Dr. Motley conducts studies on cardiovascular function and hypertension, directs the research of a number of graduate students, and teaches physiology to medical students at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee.
Making a tough decision: Medicine or research?
Developing new medicines
Researching cardiovascular functions and hypertension
Teaching future physiologists and physicians

10. Meet a Physiologist: Magdalena Alonso-Galicia
Magdalena Alonso-Galicia, Ph.D.
Forest Research Institute
Jersey City, New Jersey
For the first 6 years of Magdalena Alonso-Galicia's life, she was
very sick. She remembers visiting doctors and hospitals very
frequently. After having her tonsils taken out and other surgeries,
her health problems went away. This made her realize that she wanted a
career where she could help cure people's diseases. Initially she
wanted to work in a hospital lab running the tests that help doctors
diagnose a patient's illness. Then she discovered research and how she
could help identify what makes people sick and how to cure them. Now
she works at a drug company where she can help find possible new drugs
that will work for cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood
pressure, stroke, and heart attacks.
Wanting to help make people healthy
Research labs win over hospital labs
Opportunities in industry
Cardiovascular research
Discovering new drugs to prevent or
cure disease

11. Meet Physiologists: Michael Romero and Caroline Sussman
Michael Romero, Ph.D. and Caroline Sussman, Ph.D.
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN
Becoming interested in “how living things work”
Research on the kidney and the brain
Successfully balancing careers and family
Michael Romero was always interested in science and “how” living things work. He worked in a lab during college and became even more excited about pursuing a career in science and physiology. Dr. Romero works at a medical school, teaching physiology to students who will become medical doctors, dentists, and future physiologists. He is a renal physiologist, studying kidney functions in both healthy and disease states. Part of his work involves gene cloning. One of his earlier projects was to clone the transporter protein cDNA from the kidney responsible for absorbing baking soda, i.e., sodium bicarbonate. The resulting clone, NBC1, has been shown to be mutated in certain types of kidney and eye disease.
Dr. Romero is married to another physiologist, Dr. Caroline Sussman. Dr. Sussman decided to study biology because she was amazed by plants and animals and their diverse functions. In her research, she is especially interested in the embryonic development of animals and how transcription factors specify the development of different cell types. Her specific research focuses on the embryonic development of the brain and spinal cord.
Michael and Caroline have three children. The flexibility of their academic careers allows them to balance two busy science careers and have time for family activities such as going to the zoo, playground, and museums.

12. Meet a Physiologist: Thomas Herzig
Lieutenant Thomas Herzig, Ph.D.
US Naval Station
San Diego, California
Taking an interest in exercise
Choosing a military career
Researching exercise in
extreme environments
Teaching future doctors
When Tom Herzig worked in a lab during college, he became interested in exercise and how it affects the body. Dr. Herzig began his career in the traditional manner with postdoctoral fellowships after graduating with his Ph.D. However, during the time he was applying for tenure-track academic positions, the US Navy approached Dr. Herzig about continuing his physiological research on exercise as a commissioned officer. Because of his interest in applied physiology, Dr. Herzig accepted the offer. Dr. Herzig’s research involves the investigation of cardiovascular changes as they relate to human physical performance. His research laboratory is currently studying fluid regulation in Navy divers during warm water operations, including the effects of warm water environments on task performance. Dr. Herzig also teaches medical students who will become military doctors serving in the armed forces.

13. What Do Physiologists Do Every Day?
Investigate questions in physiology that most interest them
Decide what work they are going to do each day
Often work longer hours, but typically can be very flexible
Now that you have met some physiologists, you might wonder what it’s like to work in physiology. Physiologists, like other scientists, can study many different scientific questions using a number of animal models.
Their work day is self-directed; that is, they are pretty independent and get to decide what work they want to do each day.
Like most other professionals, such as lawyers or medical doctors, physiologists sometimes have to work long days. But their work hours are flexible in most academic positions.
One of the most appealing aspects of working in science is that you get to do a variety of different things, not just the same thing every day. Some days you might teach a class, and on another day do an experiment. The next day you might work at data analysis and writing research papers or grant proposals. On another day, you might be on your way to a meeting in another city or even another country to discuss your findings with other physiologists. Many of these activities involve leading or being a member of a team. The successful scientist works with students, other researchers and educators, and with administrators, editors, funding agencies, and the broader scientific community. You get to hone not only your skills as a scientist, but as a teacher, writer, speaker, and manager.

14. What Do Physiologists Do Every Day?
Many different tasks…never boring!
Teaching
Formulating new hypotheses to investigate
Designing and performing experiments
and gathering data
Troubleshooting laboratory methods and
learning new techniques
Analyzing data and drawing conclusions
Writing papers and grants
Training a new generation of scientists
Presenting at national and international meetings
Collaborating with other scientists nationally
and internationally
Now that you have met some physiologists, you might wonder what it’s like to work in physiology. Physiologists, like other scientists, can study many different scientific questions using a number of animal models.
Their work day is self-directed; that is, they are pretty independent and get to decide what work they want to do each day.
Like most other professionals, such as lawyers or medical doctors, physiologists sometimes have to work long days. But their work hours are flexible in most academic positions.
One of the most appealing aspects of working in science is that you get to do a variety of different things, not just the same thing every day. Some days you might teach a class, and on another day do an experiment. The next day you might work at data analysis and writing research papers or grant proposals. On another day, you might be on your way to a meeting in another city or even another country to discuss your findings with other physiologists. Many of these activities involve leading or being a member of a team. The successful scientist works with students, other researchers and educators, and with administrators, editors, funding agencies, and the broader scientific community. You get to hone not only your skills as a scientist, but as a teacher, writer, speaker, and manager.

15. Where Do Physiologists Work?
Universities and colleges
Medical and dental schools
Drug and biotech companies
Government and military labs
As you may remember from the physiologists we heard about earlier, there are many different places a physiologist can work: colleges, universities, medical and dental schools, drug or biotech companies, and government agencies or labs. Some physiologists only do research, others only teach. Most physiologists do both.

16. Would You Like to Be a Physiologist?
Which Degree?
Bachelor’s?
Master’s?
Doctoral?
What degree or degrees do you need to be a physiologist? The type of degree you earn has a direct effect on the kind of work you will do in science and on the amount of independence you have in your work.
Most physiologists have an advanced degree, that is, another degree in addition to the Bachelor’s degree. A Bachelor’s degree will allow you to work as a technician for someone else, helping with his/her research projects. While you may be allowed to work on an idea of your own, it will depend on the person for whom you work. You may be an author on a paper and you may be allowed to attend a meeting and present your data, but that is certainly not the norm. You wouldn’t be invited to sit on review boards or committees. With a Bachelor’s degree you could teach science at a middle or high school or a science museum, but you would need special courses and educational certification in most cases.
At the other end of the educational path is a doctoral degree. A doctoral (Ph.D.) degree allows you to be your own boss. You can have your own lab and run your own research program. You can write grants based on your ideas and submit them to national funding agencies. You can travel to scientific meetings all over the world to present your results. You can be the main author on papers that appear in prestigious journals like Science, Nature, and American Journal of Physiology. You can teach and train students at the undergraduate and graduate level and postdoctoral fellows. You can work with pharmaceutical companies on the production of new life-saving drugs. You can serve on review boards for granting agencies and journals. You can help shape the future of professional societies by serving on their committees and governing boards. You have the opportunity to travel both nationally and internationally to attend meetings, present your research, and collaborate with other physiologists.
In between a Bachelor’s and a doctoral degree is a Master’s degree. Some schools have a formal Master’s degree program, whereas other schools award a Master’s degree if you finish your coursework toward a doctoral degree but decide not to complete a research project. A Master’s degree allows you more opportunities and usually a better salary than does a Bachelor’s degree. Often you will be the person coordinating the lab, including overseeing technicians and graduate and undergraduate students, for the person whose lab it is. In some labs and companies, you may even be allowed to have your own research project and be included on scientific papers as an author.
Should you prefer teaching to research, you often are also able to teach at community colleges and some undergraduate institutions. You might also consider teaching at the high school level, although additional educational coursework and certification would be required in most cases.  
Which degree should you get? It depends on what your goals for your career are. Talk to your teachers and family/friends and get their perspectives. In the end, though, it’s your decision.

17. Salary Expectations Bachelors degree Masters degree
University: $29,000 – 34,000
Industry : $40,000 – 55,000
Masters degree
University : $35,000 – 45,000
Industry : $50,000 – 65,000
Stipends (set by NIH)
Graduate student: $28,300
Postdocs: $37,740 – 52,068
Ph.D. Salaries
Assistant Professor at Medical School: $82,000
Industry Senior Scientist (with postdoc exp.): $70,000 – 90,000
What kinds of salaries do physiologists make? Salary is, of course, related to education, the type of work you do, and where you do it. With a Bachelor’s degree, you could expect to get an entry salary of $29,000-34,000 at a university or $40,000-55,000 in an industry position, depending on the area of country in which you live. The better positions go to those who have worked in a laboratory during their undergraduate years, that is, to those who have already learned some laboratory skills. Those with a Master’s degree earn somewhat more at the university ($35,000-45,000) and in industry ($50,000-65,000). Again, this anticipates some experience in research and/or teaching, depending upon what the job will entail.
Entering salaries for physiologists with a Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience working at medical schools are around $82,000. Salaries for those at smaller colleges are somewhat less. For those with postdoctoral experience who take positions in industry, entering salaries are between 70,000 and 90,000.

18. Physiology Training Opens Doors to Many Careers!
Because scientific training emphasizes:
Creativity and analytical thinking skills needed to solve problems
Facility with mathematical concepts and their applications (e.g., data analysis and statistics) that can be applied in many different fields
Well-developed skills in oral and written communication of ideas and data; and
In-depth understanding of the biological, chemical and physical principles that underlie life processes
Law and Legal Writing
Business Management
Physiology
What if you’re not sure that physiology is what you want to do throughout your career? One of the wonderful things about training in science is that it keeps open many doors to other careers and opens new doors you may not have considered.
An understanding of the scientific process and a specific knowledge of physiology (or other biological sciences) are valued in many different careers because scientific training emphasizes:
Creativity and analytical thinking skills needed to solve problems
Facility with mathematical concepts and their applications (e.g., data analysis and statistics) that can be applied in many different fields
Well-developed skills in oral and written communication of ideas and data; and
In-depth understanding of the biological, chemical and physical principles that underlie life processes
Scientists, including physiologists, have found it easy to develop their careers in fields such as law, business, management and administration, policy (especially science policy), and scientific and medical writing.
Scientific & Medical Writing
Science Policy

19. Physiology Training Opens Doors to Many Careers!
Law and Legal Writing
It opens the doors to other fields, such as:
Law and legal writing
Business management and administration
Policy, especially science policy
Scientific and medical writing
Business Management
Physiology
What if you’re not sure that physiology is what you want to do throughout your career? One of the wonderful things about training in science is that it keeps open many doors to other careers and opens new doors you may not have considered.
An understanding of the scientific process and a specific knowledge of physiology (or other biological sciences) are valued in many different careers because scientific training emphasizes:
Creativity and analytical thinking skills needed to solve problems
Facility with mathematical concepts and their applications (e.g., data analysis and statistics) that can be applied in many different fields
Well-developed skills in oral and written communication of ideas and data; and
In-depth understanding of the biological, chemical and physical principles that underlie life processes
Scientists, including physiologists, have found it easy to develop their careers in fields such as law, business, management and administration, policy (especially science policy), and scientific and medical writing.
Scientific & Medical Writing
Science Policy

20. Physiology… A Good Choice for Me?
Physiology is an Excellent Career Choice
Want to…
 understand how living processes and systems work
 help others live longer and better lives through biomedical research
Are creative
Are self-motivated and an independent worker
Like to work with others on a shared problem
Enjoy writing and communicating with others
Ultimately, of course, you have to decide if a scientific career, in general, and a career in physiology specifically is the right choice for you. Physiology is an excellent career choice if you…
Want to understand how living processes and systems work
Are interested in helping others through biomedical research
Are creative and a self-starter
Have the ability to work with others on a shared problem
Enjoy writing and communicating with others

21. Preparing for a Career in Physiology
Take relevant science courses to be ready for graduate coursework
Practice your writing and speaking skills
Get research experience in a lab (APS Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship)
Talk to scientists in fields that you find interesting
Try to attend a local scientific meeting if possible
What do you need to do to prepare for a career in physiology?
Take relevant science courses (physiology, chemistry, biochemistry, physics, advanced math) to be ready for graduate coursework
Get research experience in a lab (there are many paid summer research programs for undergraduates at colleges, including the APS Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship)
Talk to scientists in fields that you find interesting
Try to attend a local scientific meeting if possible

22. Learn More About Physiology
The American Physiological Society
Careers Website
Click on “Careers”
If you would like to learn more about physiology and becoming a physiologist, visit The American Physiological Society’s Careers Website. Go to and click on “Careers”

23. The American Physiological Society
Association of physiologists
Started in 1887
Research journals
Education programs and materials
Awards
Meetings
The American Physiological Society is a non-profit association of physiologists who do research and teach. It was started in The APS publishes new research in physiology in its journals, has education programs and materials for teachers and students, gives awards to researchers and students, and holds meetings of physiologists.