General Department News Archive

The following items were reported more than four months ago.

Faculty Position in Integrative Physiology

Specialization - Expertise in integrative physiology, defined as the study of biological function by linking observations from molecules to populations of individuals. The department will consider applications from individuals with a broad range of interests, but preference will be given to those with a research focus in epigenetic and molecular control of physiological processes, biomedical epidemiology and biostatistics, and computational modeling.

Rank - Tenure-track position at the level of assistant professor. Start Date - August 19, 2013

Qualifications - Applicants must have completed postdoctoral training. Previous research by the applicant must be published in premier journals. Evidence of an ability to obtain extramural grant support and some teaching experience are preferred. Individuals will be expected to teach one of the core courses for the undergraduate degree in integrative physiology, plus one additional course.

Responsibilities - (1) to establish an independent research program that is supported by awards from extramural agencies; (2) to contribute to the teaching mission of the undergraduate program; (3) to provide teaching and mentoring for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows; and (4) to perform service for the department, university, and profession.

General Information - The faculty roster for the Department of Integrative Physiology includes 23 tenured and tenure-eligible faculty and 9 instructors. The department offers the B.A., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in integrative physiology. The undergraduate and graduate programs comprise ~1900 and 70 students, respectively. For more details on the department and the university, visit our website (http://www.colorado.edu/intphys). The Boulder campus is one of three in the University of Colorado system, and is approximately 35 miles from the Anschutz Medical Campus of the University of Colorado Denver.

Application Procedure - A description of the position can be found at the website http://www.colorado.edu/ArtsSciences/Jobs. Applications are only accepted electronically at https://www.jobsatcu.com, posting #818575. An application requires: (1) cover letter stating qualifications, research goals, an explanation of how your expertise adds synergy to existing strengths in the department, and teaching qualifications; (2) current curriculum vita; (3) three original research articles; and (4) list of three references with contact information.

Review of the applications will begin on November 1, 2012 and continue until a candidate is identified. Additional information can be obtained by phone (303-492-3122), fax (303-492-4009), or e-mail (marsha.cook@colorado.edu). The University of Colorado Boulder is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the ADA Coordinator at 303-492-1334.

Jennifer Law Promoted to Manager of Operations
The Department of Human Resources at CU Boulder has approved the promotion of Jennifer Law to the position of Manager of Operations for the Department of Integrative Physiology. The promotion, which is effective June 1, represents an overdue recognition of the many responsibilities assumed by Ms. Law in the management of our department. The faculty, staff, and students of the department congratulate Ms. Law on this accomplishment.

Alaa Ahmed Completes Three-Year Comprehensive Review
Assistant Professor Alaa Ahmed has just completed her three-year comprehensive review. Dr. Ahmed is a biomedical engineer who studies the strategies used by the nervous system to control human movement. This combination of disciplines, engineering and neuroscience, within the expertise of a single investigator has existed in a number of physiology programs around the country since the 1970s. The fundamental premise in this field is that an understanding of the control strategies elaborated by the nervous system, as constrained by the laws of physics, can provide insight on such issues as the algorithms that can be used to control robots and approaches that would be effective in rehabilitation medicine. One contemporary approach used in this field, which has been adopted by Dr. Ahmed, is to study the adaptations exhibited by volunteers when they perform a prescribed movement while being exposed to novel mechanical environments that are imposed by robotic devices. Dr. Ahmed has spent a considerable effort during her first three years at CU Boulder in acquiring and installing a robotic arm and developing the software to control the device. With this task completed, she has begun a series of innovative studies that indicate the potential she has to develop into a significant scholar in this field. Dr. Ahmed teaches our core undergraduate course on biomechanics and a graduate course on Matlab programming.

Christopher Lowry Completes Three-Year Comprehensive Review
Assistant Professor Christopher Lowry has just completed his three-year comprehensive review. He is a neuroendocrinologist who studies the neural mechanisms underlying stress-related physiology and emotional behavior with a specific focus on the role of pathways that involve the neurotransmitter serotonin. Dr. Lowry uses an integrative physiology approach to understand the pathophysiology of stress-related disorders, including anxiety and affective disorders, and to develop novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment and prevention of these disorders. In one of his most impactful studies, Dr. Lowry identified a subpopulation of serotonergic neurons that was excited by the anxiety- and stress-related neuropeptide corticotropin-releaing factor. He has found that such neurons appear to (1) facilitate anxiety, (2) inhibit anxiety-like responses, and (3) mediate antidepressant-like responses. Dr. Lowry's work has implications for understanding the integrative physiology of stress-related psychiatric disorders. His studies suggest that the thermosensitive serontonergic neurons play a critical role in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder and the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs. Dr. Lowry has taught our core course on human anatomy and a critical thinking course, but will soon begin teaching our undergraduate core course on endocrinology and a graduate course on stress physiology.

Pei-San Tsai is Promoted from Associate Professor to Professor
Pei-San Tsai has just been promoted from associate professor to professor. Dr. Tsai is a reproductive neuroendocrinologist, which means she studies how hormones from the brain (neurohormones) control reproduction. Her research program explores two divergent yet related topics. One is more clinically oriented and examines candidate genes whose mutations cause reproductive hormone insufficiency and infertility in humans and rodents. The other topic has an evolutionary component and examines the broad pattern of how neurohormones evolved over the course of metazoan (multi-cellular organism) evolution. After examining her dossier, external reviewers (professors at other universities) commented on her exemplary record in extramural funding, the level of productivity, the publication of her work in high-impact journals, the importance of her timely contributions to the field, among the top of her peer cohort, and a sustained positive trajectory since being promoted to associate professor with tenure. Several reviewers also noted that Dr. Tsai has made substantial contributions in professional service, often in leadership roles at national and international levels. Based on such positive comments, Dr. Tsai easily met our standards for promotion to professor. Dr. Tsai teaches our undergraduate core course on endocrinology and an elective course on reproductive endocrinology.

Alena Grabowski Appointed as Assistant Research Professor
Alena Grabowski, Ph.D. has been appointed as an assistant research professor of integrative physiology. Dr. Grabowski completed doctoral training at the University of Colorado Boulder and a postdoctoral fellowship in the Biomechatronics Laboratory at MIT. Her area of expertise is human locomotion and she investigates the biomechanical and physiological effects of implementing mechanical devices, such as prostheses, exoskeletons, weight-support systems, and sports equipment, on people with and without locomotor impairments. Dr. Grabowski was recently awarded a Career Development Award by the VA to conduct biomechanics research on a recently developed electric-powered prosthetic ankle. The department welcomes Dr. Grabowski as the newest member of our faculty.

CU Walks Program Promotes Active Lifestyle
You are invited to join the daily CU Walks event, starting Monday April 16th at noon. CU Walks, a collaboration between the Department of Integrative Physiology and the Recreation Center, wants to encourage individuals in the CU community to obtain the health benefits from physical activity. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that at a minimum, every individual should get 150 minutes of moderate physical activity a week. People who meet this recommendation have lower rates of diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Our vision is to provide a free, safe, convenient and social recreational opportunity for the CU community. CU Walks has established a scenic 1.5 mile loop, roughly thirty minutes of walking through campus. The CU Walks group will meet daily at 12pm in front of the Recreation Center. For more information, contact us at: . We look forward to walking with you!

IPHY Welcomes Suzanne Nelson
The IPHY department has recently hired Suzanne Nelson as an Instructor. Suzanne's main responsibility will be to teach the department's nutrition courses (IPHY 2420 - Nutrition, Health and Performance; IPHY 3440 - Nutrition, Health and Wellness). Suzanne received her Ph.D. from the University of Florida and also has an M.A. in Science Education from CU. She has taught a wide variety of nutrition courses including Human Nutrition, Nutrition and Anthropology, and Wildlife Nutrition. We are excited to have Suzanne as part of the IPHY faculty and welcome her aboard.

Faculty Position in Integrative Physiology

Specialization - Expertise in integrative physiology, defined as the study of biological function by linking observations from molecules to populations of individuals. The department will consider applications from individuals with a broad range of interests, including aging, biomedical epidemiology, cardiovascular disease, cell biology, immunology, quantitative methods, and skeletal muscle.

Rank - Tenure-track position at the level of assistant professor. Start Date - August 20, 2012

Qualifications - Applicants must have completed postdoctoral training. Previous research by the applicant must be published in premier journals, including those in physiology. Evidence of an ability to obtain extramural grant support is required and some teaching experience is preferred. Individuals will be expected to teach one of the core courses for the undergraduate degree in integrative physiology, plus additional courses as required.

Responsibilities - (1) to establish an independent research program that is supported by awards from extramural agencies; (2) to contribute to the teaching mission of the undergraduate program; (3) to provide teaching and mentoring for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows; and (4) to perform service for the department, university, and profession.

General Information - The faculty roster for the Department of Integrative Physiology includes 23 tenured and tenure-eligible faculty and 9 instructors. The department offers the B.A., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Integrative Physiology. The undergraduate and graduate programs comprise ~1700 and 60 students, respectively. For more details on the department and the university, visit our website (http://www.colorado.edu/intphys). The Boulder campus is one of three in the University of Colorado system, and is approximately 35 miles from the Health Sciences Center in Denver.

Application Procedure - A description of the position can be found at the website www.colorado.edu/ArtsSciences/Jobs. Applications are only accepted electronically at https://www.jobsatcu.com, posting #813927. An application requires: (1) cover letter stating qualifications, research goals, an explanation of how your expertise adds synergy to existing strengths in the department, and teaching qualifications; (2) current curriculum vita; (3) three original research articles; and (4) list of three references with contact information.

Review of the applications will begin on November 1, 2011 and continue until a candidate is identified. Additional information can be obtained by phone (303-492-3122), fax (303-492-4009), or e-mail (marsha.cook@colorado.edu). The University of Colorado Boulder is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the ADA Coordinator at 303-492-1334.

Hormones and Reproduction of Vertebrates
Hormones and Reproduction of Vertebrates, edited by Prof. David Norris and Kristin Lopez, was recently released. This five-volume set represents a comprehensive and integrated treatment of reproduction in vertebrates from fishes of all sorts through mammals. It is designed to provide a readable, coordinated description of reproductive basics in each group of vertebrates as well as an introduction to the latest trends in reproductive research and our understanding of reproductive events.

IPHY doctoral program receives high marks
The National Research Council (NRC) reported what it calls "illustrative" ranges of rankings on overall program quality and on three dimensions of doctoral education-research activity, student support and outcomes, and gender and ethnic diversity of the academic environment. The IPHY doctoral program received overall rankings as high as fourth when compared over 60 other physiology programs in the country. The NRC approach takes into account many factors ranging from number of students, faculty publications, graduation rates, faculty honors and awards, combined using a lengthy and complex statistical analysis process. Congratulations to both the grad students and faculty alike for this significant achievement.

Benjamin Greenwood appointed as assistant research professor
Dr. Greenwood completed undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Colorado at Boulder with a double major (1999) in psychology and kinesiology, an M.S. (2001) in Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, and a Ph.D. (2005) in Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience. His postdoctoral training at CU-Boulder included a project that was funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. His current research, which is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, examines the neurobiological mechanisms by which physical activity status impacts cognitive and behavioral responses to stress, focusing primarily on learning and memory, depression, and anxiety-related behaviors in rodents. His long-term goals are to do identify the neurobiological mechanisms by which physical activity increases resistance against stress-related psychiatric disorders.

Christopher DeSouza promoted to professor
Since being promoted to the rank of associate professor with tenure in 2005, Dr. DeSouza has continued to be among the top performers in the department each year in teaching, research, and service. These accomplishments have been recognized by the University as they have agreed with the recommendation of the Department that he be promoted to the rank of professor. His research focuses on vascular biology, as he examines the interface between physiology and blood chemistry. The significance of this work is underscored by the breadth of topics he has studied, which include the effects of aging, obesity, hormone replacement therapy, HIV-1 infection, oxidative stress, and regular physical activity. The Department concurs with the University's conclusion that we are fortunate to claim a colleague of his calibre among our ranks.

Marissa Ehringer promoted with tenure
After evaluations by the Department, College of Arts of Sciences, and the University, Dr. Marissa Ehringer has been promoted to the rank of associate professor with tenure. She is also a faculty fellow in the Institute of Behavioral Genetics. Dr. Ehringer's research focuses on understanding the molecular genetic mechanisms that contribute to the development of substance abuse, mainly alcohol- and nicotine-related problems. The Department is fortunate to claim a colleague of her caliber among our ranks.

IPCL Staff Research Assistant
Job Opening: IPCL Staff Research Assistant. Full Time Staff Research Assistant. Position Description: Provide technical assistance for IPCL (Integrative Physiology Core Laboratory) measurements and other procedures, including GXT, VO2 max testing, exercise blood pressures; Resting EKG and blood pressure measurements; Resting Metabolic Rate; Body Composition (DXA); Exercise prescription and supervision of training; Assessment of physical activity; Computer data entry (PC computer, Windows xp, Microsoft Word, Excel); Heart Rate Monitors (initializing/subject instruction/downloading); Help with lab setup and take down for different protocols; Calibration and preventative maintenance of equipment; Ordering supplies; Writing policies and procedures. Provide assistance for clinical research training related to these procedures. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in exercise physiology, or related field; Experience in performing measurements related to exercise and applied physiology on human subjects. Application: Please send or e-mail resumes to: Mary Jo Reiling, University of Colorado at Boulder, Clinical Translational Research Center, Wardenburg Health Center, Rm 370, 119 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0119. Ph: (303) 735-1377. Fax: (303) 735-1968. reiling@colorado.edu.

Assistant Professor Position
The Department is recruiting for an assistant professor in integrative physiology. This is a tenure-track position that begins August 16, 2010. Applicants must add synergy to existing strengths in the Department. The review of applications will begin on November 1, 2009. Additional information can be obtained from Marsha Cook (marsha.cook@colorado.edu).