Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program in Physiology

Wayne Mitzner, PhD
wmitzner@jhsph.edu
410-614-5446

Admissions Information:
Nina Kulacki, Senior Academic Program Coordinator 
nkulacki@jhsph.edu or 410-955-2212

Physiology is the branch of biology dealing with the processes, activities and dynamics of life and living organisms. The focus of physiology is on function, rather than on the individual processes that contribute to that function. Traditional physiologic approaches have emphasized studies in intact animals and organs. However, modern technological advances have allowed physiologic studies to extend these living-system models to cellular and molecular levels.

Faculty research has a primary focus on the physiology of the lung. The lung is the major target organ for environmental air pollutants, and lung disease is a major international public health problem. Faculty and students are involved in investigating basic mechanisms in lung disease and the interactions with toxic gases, airborne particles and biological agents. Research toward a doctoral degree in physiology leads to competency in at least one of several domains focused on cardiopulmonary pathophysiology, involving tissues such as lung epithelium, airway smooth muscle, pulmonary and bronchial blood vessels, lung interstitium and immunologic cells.

Students develop knowledge and expertise in general subject areas relevant to structure/function relations in human and animal models, including genetic and environmental factors underlying lung disease—particularly asthma, emphysema and other inflammatory airway diseases; contemporary imaging technology; and writing scientific papers and grant proposals. Students in this program may have backgrounds in biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, physics, pharmacology or toxicology.