LSUHSC includes the Schools of Graduate Studies, Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences and is a major center for biomedical research, education and medical treatment. The Department of Physiology is an integral part of the School of Graduate Studies of the LSU Health Sciences Center and offers graduate programs leading to the PhD, MD/PhD and MS degrees.

Members of the Department of Physiology at LSUHSC conduct research on the function of organisms at every level of biologic organization: molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, organ system, and whole body physiologic integration. The department currently receives funding via external grants and contracts with support from several institutes of the National Institutes of Health; the State of Louisiana Board of Regents and DEPSCOR Program; the Office of Naval Research and from corporations including Parke-Davis, Meade-Johnson, Ross Laboratories, and Kinetic Concepts. The faculty of the Department of Physiology are extensively involved in collaborative research with clinicians from the Departments of Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics and Ophthalmology.

The following are some of the active research areas in the Department of Physiology:

• Effects of alcohol and sepsis on myocardial function
• Neuroendocrine control of response to traumatic injury
• Impact of chronic alcohol on SIV associated muscle wasting
• Physiology of the innate host defense system
• Biomedical consequences of alcohol abuse on host defense against HIV and bacterial infections
• Pathophysiology induced by HIV-1 proteins
• Hypoxia and pulmonary function
• Interaction of angiotensin II and nitric oxide on kidney microvascular function
• Mechanism of galectin mediated signaling on cancer and angiogenesis
• Pathophysiology of obesity and the neuroendocrine mechanisms that regulate caloric intake
• Regulation of coronary microvascular function
• Endothelium and vascular smooth-muscle biology
• Ion channels in vascular endothelium and smooth muscle
• Mediation of oral mucosal and endotoxin-induced inflammation by DHEA
• Effects of caffeine on neonatal bone development
• Cellular and molecular mechanisms of the development of Sjogren's syndrome
• Development of computer assisted and animated teaching methods

Admissions

Admission to the MS or PhD program in Physiology is based on transcripts, recommendations, and GRE scores on the General Test. The Subject Test in biology, chemistry, or physics is strongly recommended. A letter defining the student’s career goals is required as well. Application should be completed by April 1 for matriculation in August or by October 1 for January admission.

For application materials contact:
Dr. Gregory Bagby
Kai and Earl Rozas Professor of Physiology
Department of Physiology
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
1901 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA. 70112
Telephone: 504-568-6171
Fax: 504-568-6158
E-mail: gbagby@lsuhsc.edu

Financial Aid

Assistantships and graduate student fellowships are available on a competitive basis for PhD including MD/PhD candidates while enrolled in the School of Graduate Studies. Awards are $20,000 per year and a full tuition waiver. Additional sources of financial aid are available for the PhD and Master's candidates through a variety of programs.

Cost of Study

Tuition is $3,529 per year for Louisiana residents and $6,654 for nonresidents. In addition, activity and student health fees of about $300 per year are required.

For more information, visit the School of Graduate Studies web site.