Student Work
Participatory Learning Experiences (PLEs) are prevalent in human physiology, a popular area of study for students who plan to work in health professions. For Lacey Alexander, who recently received a bachelor’s degree in human physiology and general science, completing an internship at the Oregon Eye Center gave her an opportunity to gain clinical experience and to observe the practice of medicine in action which aided her in career decisions. She also was able to integrate the knowledge she was gaining from her classes with the practical experience she was acquiring at the Oregon Eye Center.
“I enjoyed the connection between the material we covered in anatomy and how that knowledge is applied clinically,” she says. “There was a patient who was diagnosed with pupil sparing diabetic third nerve (oculomotor nerve) palsy as I was studying the cranial nerves and their functions in anatomy. Not knowing the diagnosis, I was given this patient’s case as a research question. When presented with the question, I immediately concluded that the diagnosis had something to do with a disorder of the oculomotor nerve simply from my anatomical knowledge. This was a culminating moment during the course of my internship that illustrates the integration of academic knowledge and clinical application.
Selected Faculty Work
Dr. Li Shan Chou’s teaching focus is in the areas of biomechanical analysis of human movement, orthopedic biomechanics, and rehabilitation engineering. Dr. Chou comes to the UO from the Mayo Clinic.
As the human anatomy instructor, Dr. Susan Verscheure enjoys using problem-solving and case study techniques to emphasize the clinical and practical application of the subject matter.
Dr. Christopher Minson’s research is focused on two areas of neural control of the circulation in humans. Specifically, he is investigating the neural and vascular interactions in the skin during environmental heat stress. He is also studying how estrogen and progesterone impact blood pressure regulation. Dr. Minson also trained at the Mayo Clinic.
Dr. Louis Osternig’s teaching expertise is in the area of sports medicine and the health implications of physical activity. His research focuses on the exercise-induced adaptations of the musculoskeletal system and how these adaptations benefit or adversely affect health.
Richard K. Troxel, M.S. was a senior instructor in the College of Human Development and Performance for ten years before joining the Department of Human Physiology. His special area of interest is sports medicine and athletic injuries, specifically, musculoskeletal injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Marjorie Woollacott, Ph.D. has been the director of the Motor Control Lab at the University of Oregon for the past 17 years. Her areas of expertise include the development of balance control in normal children and in children with motor problems such as cerebral palsy and Down’s syndrome.
Career Prospects
Most students in human physiology pursue careers in the allied health professions after graduation. These careers include medicine, physical and occupational therapy, homeopathy, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, physician’s assistant, podiatry, nursing, emergency medical technician, athletic training, massage therapy, and chiropody.
Certification by the American College of Sports Medicine through the International Institute for Sport and Human Performance is another option available to our graduates. Certifications are available for Health/Fitness instructor and Exercise Specialist.
Other employment opportunities include positions in Health and Wellness promotion found in Recreation Management, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness Programs.