Physiological Science | Physiology

Understanding Physiology

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

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

News

Chuchu Zhang Awarded a Hypothesis Fund seed grant

July 2025 - Dr. Chuchu Zhang has been awarded a Hypothesis Fund seed grant for her innovative research project, "Exploring interoceptive sensory logic reshaped by pregnancy."

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Awards

Vanessa Casha Awarded 2025 Nancy S. Wexler Young Investigator Prize

June 2025 – Vanessa Casha has been awarded the Hereditary Disease Foundation's 2025 Nancy S. Wexler Young Investigator Prize! This distinctive recognition, selected by the HDF Scientific Advisory Board, is presented annually to an early-career researcher whose work reflects the highest caliber...

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Bal Khakh - Election to the Royal Society

May 2025 - Baljit Khakh has made fundamental contributions to understanding astrocyte-neuron interactions. He made important advances in our understanding of brain function by discovering mechanisms of bidirectional signaling between astrocytes and neurons...

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Laura DeNardo receives Vallee Scholars Award

Sept 2024 - Recognizing that outstanding, young, independent investigators are the source for future advances in the biomedical sciences and of their need for flexible, unrestricted funding to conduct their research...

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New Faculty

Welcome to our newest faculty Dr. Navid Bavi

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

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Welcome to our new faculty member Dr. Chuchu Zhang

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 1, 2023, as Assistant Professor.

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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

A Culture of Caring, Inclusion, and Community

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