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Research and Graduate Education

Cellular and Integrative Physiology

The Graduate Program of Cellular and Integrative Physiology offers interdisciplinary biomedical research training opportunities leading to the Ph.D. or M.S. degree.

Research areas include:

  • Integrative control of cardiovascular
  • Endocrine
  • Neural
  • Renal
  • Respiratory function using biochemical, immunological, cellular, and molecular approaches.

Our graduates have readily obtained postdoctoral research training in prestigious laboratories and developed productive and satisfying careers in academics, industry, and government. Several graduates have become departmental chairs, industrial department heads, university vice presidents, and entrepreneurs.

The research interests of our faculty encompass most major areas in physiology, and cell biology, enabling students to specialize in cardiovascular, cellular, endocrine, neural, renal, or respiratory research. In addition, students may learn approaches and techniques of related fields such as biochemistry, immunology, and molecular biology. This interdisciplinary approach creates a variety of career opportunities for the graduating student.

Students receive training in the skills required to become critically thinking, relevant, innovative, and independent investigators.

Our students learn how to:

  • Recognize what is already known and define what is not known
  • Understand and implement the scientific method
  • Set goals and formulate research plans, and meet deadlines
  • Identify and execute contemporary experimental methods
  • Analyze and interpret scientific results
  • Communicate experimental results both orally and in writing
  • Publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed literature
  • Apply for competitive research funding
  • Teach professional students in formal settings
  • Teach others to do all of the above.


Stan Hileman, Ph.D., Graduate Director
Email: shileman@hsc.wvu.edu 
304-293-1502