Research and Facilities

Zhen Yan, PhD.

You can train with mentors like Zhen Yan, PhD, a distinguished neurobiologist studying cellular and synaptic neuroscience. Her findings have advanced knowledge about disorders like schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Our pursuit of groundbreaking research in physiology and biophysics complements our department’s commitment to excellence in clinical care and education.

Areas of current research emphasis of our faculty include:

  • elucidation of the mechanisms of ligand- and voltage-dependent channel gating
  • stretch-activated channel function
  • cell signaling and electrophysiological properties of cells within the CNS, heart and epithelial tissues
  • adaptive responses of the body, including skeletal muscle, to environmental stress
  • retinal function and development of visual systems
  • neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Juvenile Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease)
  • protein-protein interactions, protein folding and design
  • calcium signaling within heart cells
  • vascular biology
Feng Qin, PhD.

Faculty members will welcome you into their labs to embark on meaningful research. Feng Qin, PhD, studies structural functions of ion channels involved in pain and temperature sensation.

  • Research Areas
    9/30/24
    Members of our department are devoted to addressing difficult problems and advancing knowledge through their research.
  • Recent Faculty Publications
    8/3/21
    We share our research studies with physicians and scientists worldwide through publications in leading academic journals. View a listing of our faculty’s most recent publications.
  • Recent Research Funding
    8/3/21
    We receive funding from a variety of sources that recognize the value of our high-impact research.
  • Confocal Microscope and Flow Cytometry Facility
    10/2/19
    Our instrument laboratory provides training and consultation services for researchers whose work involves flow cytometry, confocal microscopy and gel-documentation.
  • Research Centers and Institutes
    6/13/25
    Well-established research centers across the university support collaborative, multidisciplinary research where students can interact with faculty across departmental boundaries.
  • Travel Funding Request Form
    3/31/25
    Through generous UBF memorial endowments set up by the families of Suk-Ki Hong, MD, PhD and Hermann Rahn, PhD the department is able to award travel funding to eligible students looking to: