MSU Department of Physiology

Please join us this Thursday, August 20, 2026 for MCIP Ph.D. student Hannah Thompson’s comprehensive exam. The open door presentation starts at 9:30AM in BPS room 1425. We hope to see you there!

Our Foundations of Neuroscience Education Abroad program led by Dr Vanacker had a great time learning on location this summer! A highlight was visiting the Accademia galleria for an Anatomy and Physiology lesson using the famous David statue from Michelangelo as a learning tool. Sympathetic and attentional systems are activated to fight the giant Goliath. Students also visited the duomo in Florence, Da Vinci museum, Old operating theater at Saint Thomas hospital in London, and Big Ben.

Our Foundations of Neuroscience Education Abroad program with Dr. Vanacker has started under the sun. Within a week, they have already explored a great deal of History, Art and Science!
Group photos are in Siena, others are in the antique library at the Galileo museum with Dr. Karen Giacobassi looking at anatomical prints from the 1800.

Briggsies! Today was your day! Your moment! We congratulate our newest alumni from PSL and NEU 💚 The smiles and celebrations say it all 🎉 Well done, class of 2026! 👏🏻 The world needs you to make your mark 🌎 Shine on 💫 GO GREEN!

Look at all these GREAT SS26 PSL 475 Capstone students and projects! 👀

……..Effects of Acute Box Breathing on Physiological and Psychological Anxiety Markers (Salivary Cortisol and STAIT) and Implications for Academic Performance by Isabel Stoller, Tierney Ordway, Jordyn Procissi, Helen Barr ……..Vestibular-Ocular Reflex Training (VOR) Improves Balance and Increases Independence in Elderly Women by Julia Scarpetta, Santa Kalaj, Jocelyn Austin
……..Newbie Gains: How Strength Training Changes Muscle Fatigue by Tyler Hulka, Joseph Walsh, Tisha Saha
……Caloric Expenditure Differences Between Fasting and High-Carbohydrate Diets by Jeneen Daoud, Julia Sanford, Morgan Militello-Gasidlo, James Dubin
……..The effects of caffeine on the heart rate and blood pressure of heavy coffee drinkers versus non-coffee drinkers by Jules Shaman, Faiz Hussain
…..Short-Term Ketogenic Diet-Induced Modulation of Glucose Processing in High-Carbohydrate Consumers by Ryan Hertz Alexa Green Linden Wells
……..Cortisol levels and the biopsychosocial mechanism on muscle hypertrophy by Alexandra Levra, Alexander Casagrande, Trevor Stocker, Cordelia Kraus
………Does Box Breathing KO Glucose Spikes? By Alaina Pabbathi, Elise Yoder, Murphy Alexa, Sophie Bonnema
………Sugar Yay or Nay: Oral microbiome’s pH effects on dental caries by Easton Anderson, Hien-Tran Bui
……….Blue Light Blocking Glasses Reduce Eye Strain- Fact or Fad? By Sydney Mueller, Evan Madden, Richard Colon
……….Effects of Stress on Salivary Cortisol, Reaction Time, and Muscular Performance by George Hebb, Kloie Farago
………..How does the number of chews affect the pH of the saliva? By Ava Xiromeritis, Gracie Burns, Winter Runyan, Brooke Seal

Look at them go 🎓 Congratulations to our newest NatSci alumni from the PSL and NEU majors 🥳 The future is bright for these graduates. Go make your mark on the world! 🌎 The Department of Physiology is so proud 🥹 GO GREEN 💚 🤍

It's all you today, Kelly! Congrats!

This past Tuesday, Alyssa Vadovsky received the Jack R. Hoffert Memorial Scholarship research award from her mentor, Dr. Jason Bazil, and Dr. Gina Leinninger, director of the MCIP graduate program. Congratulations, Alyssa!

Last week, our undergraduate students in the Physiology Society and Neuroscience Club volunteered at Marble Elementary School’s annual Science Night. They were among about 30 groups providing hands-on science activities. Organizers estimated more than 250 people attended the event.
 

Today is your last chance to register for the Foundations of Neuroscience Education Abroad program and experience a summer like you’ve never before.

"The program offers an incredible opportunity for personal growth, cultural enrichment, deep academic engagement, and the development of long-term friendship that will leave a lasting impact both personally and professionally,” said Dr. Charlotte Vanacker, who succeeded Dr. Laura Symmond as program director upon her retirement. “How better to appreciate the discovery of anesthetics than by actually lying on an old operating theater table, imagining your expert tour guide preparing to amputate your right leg? Likewise, standing in front of Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia museum sparked a lively discussion about the anatomy of a young man ready for battle, which naturally led us to explore the physiology of the cardiovascular system and the stress response. It’s a powerful, unforgettable experience that really brings history—and science—to life for our students.”

Make it all about you and register now!

Registration closes at midnight. For more information or to register, click the link found in our bio. But hurry, spots are limited!

Questions? Email Dr. Vanacker at [email protected]