MAY 2024

KNOWING WHEN IT’S

TIME TO CHOOSE
A DIFFERENT PATH
24

ADVANCES IN THE
TREATMENT OF
SICKLE CELL DISEASE
30

MOVING
ALONG WITH

MUSCH
New APS President Timothy Musch, PhD, FAPS,
has seen many changes in science and academia.
But he’s confident that physiology is the future.
 Elevate the way you teach.
Join us in the Center for Physiology Education, a home base for
scientists who are passionate about inspiring the next generation
of physiology researchers.

Discover new learning Access 650+ expert Make inquiries, share

modules designed by educator-approved your experiences, attend
experienced educators resources sorted by monthly events and find
for your modern core themes. opportunities to get
classroom. involved.

How Do I Get Involved with the Center for

Physiology Education?
Volunteer for the Center. The Center needs your help
developing and supporting our educator community.
We are looking for a diverse group of contributors
with various types of teaching experience.

physiology.org/CPE
 CONTENTSFEATURES

18 24 30

18
Moving Along with Musch
New APS President Timothy Musch’s 43-year career has seen many changes
Cover photo by Jeff Moore, Kansas State University Division of Communications and Marketing

in science and academia. But he’s confident that physiology is the future.
BY MEREDITH SELL

24
Finding Your Way
How to know it’s time to choose a different path, whether pursuing
a new opportunity or making a career pivot.
BY CANDACE Y.A. MONTAGUE AND MELANIE PADGETT POWERS

30
Advances in Sickle Cell Disease
Research has led to major breakthroughs in the treatment of sickle cell disease,
with promising advances still on the horizon.
BY CHRISTINA SZALINSKI, PHD

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 1

 CONTENTS
DEPARTMENTS

THE EDITOR’S DESK 9

4 That’s a Wrap!

IN REVIEW
RESEARCH UPDATES 12
8 Perception of nutrition; benefits of
high heels; heat stroke consequences

SOCIAL CHATTER
9 Excited for the Summit; Meeting
scientific heroes

LAB NOTES TRANSPORT

MENTORING Q&A 36 Career successes and milestones of
10 Preparation Means APS members.
Progress
How to set yourself up for career success. DATES & DEADLINES
FROM EXPERIENCE
37 Calls for awards and papers and
12 Break the Habit upcoming events and webinars.
Tips to stop procrastinating.

POLICY IQ NEWS FROM THE FIELD

13 NIH’s Road Map to a Better 38 New APS leadership and section
Postdoc Experience chairs elected; committee applications
now open; physiology stays at forefront
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE of NIH division; Integrative Physiology of
14 Inquiring Minds 10 Exercise Conference save the date.
This researcher has leaned into his
inquisitiveness since his competitive
swimming days.
THE LAST WORD
PUBLISH WITH POLISH
40 Embracing the Journey
of a Science Career
15 From Meeting to
Laura R. McCabe, PhD, learned to seize
Manuscript on the curveballs and unexpected
Turn your Summit abstract into a opportunities that came her way.
manuscript worthy of an APS journal.

IN DEPTH

16 Tick-Tock Biology
Breakthrough research into the biology of
time is uncovering how restoring natural
rhythms could help stave off disease.
40

2 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

 CALLS FOR NOMINATIONS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
How to Nominate American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and
Comparative Physiology®
Nominations,
accompanied by a Nominations are invited for the position of editor-in-chief of the American
curriculum vitae, should Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
be sent to Wolfgang (journals.physiology.org/ajpregu).
Kuebler, MD, FAPS,
Nominations Due: Applications Due:
chair of the American
May 16, 2024 June 3, 2024
Physiological Society
(APS) Publications Meet the Team: Submit Your Best Work:
Committee, via email, journals.physiology.org/ajpregu/ ajpregu.msubmit.com
care of Charmon edboard
Kight (ckight@
physiology.org) in
the APS Publications
Comprehensive Physiology®
Department.
Nominations are invited for the position of editor-in-chief of Comprehensive
The APS Publications
Physiology (onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/book/10.1002/cphy).
Committee plans to
interview candidates in Nominations Due: Applications Due:
the summer of 2024. May 31, 2024 June 19, 2024
Meet the Team:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/page/book/10.1002/cphy/homepage/
editorscontributors.html
THE EDITOR’S DESK

That’s a Wrap!
BY MEEGHAN DE CAGNA, MSC, CAE

D
Dear reader:
It has been two weeks since the 2024 their physical education programs into new
American Physiology Summit wrapped, and kinesiology departments. On page 18, Musch
we are still riding the wave of enthusiasm talks about building out that program and how
and excitement from the event. If you were at he found his way to physiology in the first place.
the Summit, I hope you left with newfound This month we also dive into sickle cell
insights and connections that have you feeling disease. This painful and debilitating genetic
reinvigorated, energized and eager to tackle disease—which primarily affects Black
your work and professional endeavors with a Americans—had a tremendous breakthrough
fresh perspective. Whenever I attend a confer- last year, when the FDA approved two curative
ence for my own continuing education, there gene therapies. But gene therapy is a demanding
is something about the exchange of ideas, the ordeal, and with such a high price tag, insurance
exploration of emerging likely won’t cover it for
trends and gaining fresh everyone. On page 30, we
perspectives that helps me “I hope you left the Summit look at what research is being
jump back into my work with new­found insights and done to provide better treat-
with renewed focus. ments, and possibly cures, for
connections that have you
Attending three days’ this terrible disease.
worth of scientific sessions, feeling reinvigorated, energized Our third feature this
poster presentations and and eager to tackle your work month stems from a question
networking events may and professional endeavors we asked as an editorial
have even inspired you to team: How do physiologists
submit a proposal for the
with a fresh perspec­tive.” know when it’s time to move
2025 Summit—you have a on? That could be moving
few days left to do so! Yes, we are a year away to a new university and lab, changing from
from the next event, but the work continues academia to industry, or any number of paths.
year-round. And we could not plan the premier But how do you make such a big decision?
event for researchers and educators exploring the What should you consider and how should you
science behind some of the most important ques- evaluate new opportunities and career paths?
tions affecting life and health without your input, On page 24, several physiologists answered
ideas, proposals and abstracts, so thank you. So, those questions for you—we hope it will help
stay tuned in the coming months for how you you with your decision-making as you build a
can continue to help shape the 2025 Summit, successful physiology career.
which will be held in Baltimore April 24–27.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
THIS MONTH’S FEATURES You are what makes The Physiologist Magazine
At the Summit, APS officers took on their new happen. We couldn’t do it without you, so
roles. That includes your new APS president, please share any feedback, suggestions or story
Timothy Musch, PhD, FAPS, whose career ideas with us at [email protected].
spans 43 years. Most of those years have been
Meeghan De Cagna, MSc, CAE, is APS chief community
at Kansas State University, where he was given
and learning officer and associate publisher and
the opportunity in the 1990s to do what many editor-in-chief of The Physiologist Magazine. You can
universities were doing at the time: reorganizing reach her at [email protected].

4 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

Read the comparative physiology blog

Life Lines
by

Dr. Dolittle
SPONSORED BY AMERICAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY

lifelinesblog.com

Interested in contributing?
Email [email protected].
 VOL. 67 | MAY 2024

Scott Steen, CAE, FASAE

Publisher
Executive Director

Meeghan De Cagna, MSc, CAE

Associate Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Chief Community and Learning Officer

Amanda Bertholf, MA
Senior Editor
Director of Communications

Melanie Padgett Powers

Managing Editor

FREELANCE WRITERS
Nancy D. Lamontagne; Candace Y.A. Montague; Meredith Sell; Christina Szalinkski, PhD

CONTRIBUTORS
Kathleen Beaulieu; Sean Boyer; Brooke Bruthers; Audra Cox, PhD, ELS; Kristin Dougher, MBA; Claire Edwards;
Mark Eichelberg, PhD; Kirsten Gossett; Alissa Hatfield, MS; Rebecca Osthus, PhD; Erica Roth, MS

DESIGN
Latham Creative, LLC

CONTACT US
The Physiologist Magazine is distributed to members as part of their membership. For non-member subscription information
or to update your contact information, email [email protected].
[email protected] | 301.634.7118 | physiology.org/magazine
The Physiologist Magazine (ISSN 0031-9376) is published six times a year by the American Physiological Society (APS), 6120 Executive Blvd., Suite 575,
Rockville, MD, 20852-4911. Copyright © 2024 by the American Physiological Society. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without
the publisher’s permission. APS assumes no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors to The Physiologist Magazine.

APS EXECUTIVE CABINET

Timothy Musch, PhD, FAPS Willis K. “Rick” Samson, PhD, FAPS Robert L. Hester, PhD, FAPS
President Past President President-elect
Kansas State University Saint Louis University School of Medicine University of Mississippi Medical Center

APS COUNCILORS

Heddwen Brooks, PhD, University of Arizona; Michael Caplan, MD, PhD, FAPS, Yale School of Medicine; Nisha Charkoudian, PhD, FAPS,
U.S. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine; Karla Haack, PhD, Merck; Patricia A. Halpin, PhD, FAPS, University of New Hampshire;
My Helms, PhD, University of Utah School of Medicine; Beth A. McCormick, PhD, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School;
Evangeline Motley-Johnson, PhD, FAPS, Meharry Medical College; Gina Yosten, PhD, Saint Louis University

6 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

IN REVIEW | RESEARCH UPDATES

APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY

Does Thinking Something

Is Healthy Make It So?

R
Research published in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that in one
study, this dream was something of a reality. Researchers gave study partic-
ipants a fat- and sugar-laden milkshake on two different occasions. On one
occasion, the participants were aware of the accurate nutrient profile of the
shake. On another day, they were given the same shake but were told it was a
APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY

Hand Me My
Stilettos, Stat
healthier “nutrishake” with more protein and less sugar and fat.
High heels are often considered to be a
The researchers evaluated
fashion statement, but wearing them on a
the participants’ endothelial
regular basis may also help make walking
function after drinking each
more effortless. Research published in the
shake and compared it to when
Journal of Applied Physiology found that vol-
they drank plain water. The unteers who walked more than 1,500 steps
findings showed that after daily in two-and-a-half to three-inch heels
drinking the milkshake the (during a 14-week trial) had a decreased
volunteers perceived to be walking economy than those who wore them
unhealthy, their blood vessel for less than 1,000 steps per day.

Clockwise from top left: Kobus Louw; feedough; dcampiglia

function was worse than when The increased plantarflexion of the
they drank water. And when ankle (top of the foot points away from the
they drank what they thought leg) that occurs when wearing heels for
was a healthier beverage, their extended periods shortens the tendon of
endothelial function did not the calf muscles, which may alter muscle
worsen, even though the macro- metabolism. These changes can reduce the
nutrient profile was identical to amount of energy needed for walking. The
the unhealthy milkshake. researchers found that the volunteers had a
Researchers say the results suggest “perceptions about nutritional informa- more efficient walking economy, even when
tion contribute to the impact of food intake on endothelial function and that they didn’t wear heels, that lasted for several
nocebo effects could be involved in cardiovascular disease etiology.” weeks after the study ended.

Source: doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00308.2023 Source: doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00016.2024

COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY including a higher risk of heart or longer than we think. Using a female mouse
kidney disease, problems with model of heat stress, researchers found mus-
More Reasons to the central nervous system or cle changes in 137 different genes, including
Be Careful in the compromised immunity. some related to muscle structure and
Muscle cramps are often an function, stress response and wound healing.
Summer Heat early sign of heat stress. According The findings could be “particularly relevant to
Overheating during physical to research published in the American athletes and active military, where decisions
activity—called “exertional Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, are made regarding the timing for return to
heat stroke”—can have Integrative and Comparative Physiology, play or duty,” according to the authors.
lasting consequences, heat stress may affect the muscles for Source: doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00226.2023

8 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

 SOCIAL CHATTER | IN REVIEW

Cristhian Gutierrez Carmen De Miguel, PhD, MS, FAHA

instagram.com/cgmech twitter.com/Carmendemigue12

I want to thank the American Physiological So proud of my trainees! Thank you Abby,
Society (@apsphysiology) for featuring me Anmol, Trisha and Sara for representing the
in the January edition of their magazine, The De Miguel lab so well yesterday as we celebrated
Physiologist, in the Under The Microscope the Section of Cardio-Renal Physiology
section. It was so much fun contributing to this and Medicine 10th anniversary! @UAB_NRTC
section! And I’m beyond happy to know that @KUHPRIME #proudmentor
APS is so incredibly supportive of their trainees
#Physiology #APS #thephysiologist #mdphd

Adam R. Wende, PhD, FAHA

twitter.com/@AdamWende

Had a great time meeting a scientific hero from

my thesis days, Frank Booth, as he presented
at today’s @UABExerciseMed Hunter-Bamman
Award Lecture. It was inspirational hearing about
his accomplishments over the last 50 years and
what we still have to learn from him.

Stephanie Franzén
twitter.com/Steph_PhD

#APS2024 Summit booked

and ready to go. Longing for
Long Beach! Definitely one of
the highlights of the year
@APSPhysiology @AJPRenal

CONNECT WITH US Email your social media posts to [email protected]. Find the American Physiological Society
on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Threads.

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 9

LABNOTES
MENTORING Q&A YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
FROM EXPERIENCE LEADERSHIP AND CAREER TIPS
POLICY IQ PHYSIOLOGY ON THE HILL AND IN THE HALLS
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE OUR MEMBERS, UP CLOSE
PUBLISH WITH POLISH BUILD A BETTER RESEARCH PAPER
IN DEPTH DIVING DEEP INTO SCIENCE
STATS & FACTS PHYSIOLOGY BY THE NUMBERS

MENTORING Q&A | CAREER ADVANCEMENT

Preparation Means Progress

How to set yourself up for career success.

E
Each issue, we ask a student or early-career member to pose their career questions to an
llustrations by Kagan McLeod

established investigator and mentor. Here, Mareena Pitts, a PhD candidate at Morehouse
School of Medicine in Atlanta, asks Bonnie L. Blazer-Yost, PhD, FAPS, advice on how to create a
successful career. Blazer-Yost is director of the Hydrocephalus Research Center and professor of
biology at IUPUI in Indianapolis.

10 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

 Q: What topics do you lifelong colleagues and done. Very old-fashioned, I STATS & FACTS
think will drive the field collaborators are people I know, but once something

10.8%
of physiology forward in met at APS poster sessions. is written down, I find I
the next 5–10 years? Also, learn how to write can stop worrying about it.
A: The biggest contri- grants as early as possible. Then, since I am a morning
butions that physiology One of the best ways is to person, I try to force myself The projected growth of STEM
has always made, and offer to help your principal to do the least favorite employment between 2022
continues to make, are investigator or other senior tasks (endless paperwork) and 2032.
those aimed at deep scientist with their grant first, so the afternoon is U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
understanding of the submission. Even if you left for fun things. I find
physiological responses to are writing up methods or that interacting with my
alterations in homeostasis, putting together figures, trainees on a regular basis “Our analysis
for example, pathophysiol- the experience of what is decreases stress because it
ogy. Physiologists tend to involved is very instruc- is so much fun to discuss of observed
have a more whole-body tive. If you are helping their results and help plan careers finds
perspective than most
other disciplines, and this
to put together a grant
submission, chances are
the next experiments.
that there is no
is crucial for the develop- you will be included Q: In what ways can a single traditional
ment of disease treatments. in the cadre of people physiologist contribute scientist career;
who hear how to the ongoing need to
“You will find that most that grant fares improve diversity, equity,
rather, trajectories
scientists are very approachable in the review inclusion and accessibility evince numerous
and willing to interact with
system. in the workplace? pathways.”
Finally, and A: My experience has Edwards et al., May 2023, Scientific Reports
early-career scientists.” arguably most been that the more diverse
important, don’t a laboratory group is the

12.7
Q: What advice would hold on to your hypoth- better they will function
you give an early-career eses when the data are together. In a diverse
scientist to ensure their telling you they are not group, no one has precon-
success? correct. However, don’t ceived notions that other
A: First, seek formal and give them up without members should be
informal mentor-type delving into why they like them and, therefore, The average number of jobs
interactions not only in failed and what that fail- one tends to accept held by individuals born from
your own institution but ure is telling you. In my 1957 to 1964 between the ages
differences more readily.
of 18 and 56. Half of these were
within your wider scien- career, the most important Most people, and certainly
held before the age of 25.
tific circle. This doesn’t discoveries were the result most scientists, have an
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
have to be long term or of failed hypotheses. innate curiosity about
time intensive; it can be as others and wish to under-

33%
simple as asking a senior Q: What strategies do you stand other perspectives
scientist for advice on a employ to manage stress and cultures. One of the
method or help with inter- and time management? most important things
preting some particularly A: This is a difficult ques- we can do is to further
complex data sets. I know tion for all scientists, partic- encourage this inclusive
The portion of 2022 research
this is hard, particularly ularly women. Achieving behavior for all groups
doctoral degree recipients
if you are a shy person, a work-life balance is not and cultures.
whose principal first
but you will find that easy. For me, personally, I
postgraduate non-postdoc
most scientists are very write everything down and Got a career question you'd
like to submit? Email it to employment was in academia.
approachable and willing keep a handwritten monthly In 2002 this portion was 52%.
[email protected].
to interact with early-career schedule in pencil so I can We may use it in an upcoming National Center for Science and Engineering
scientists. Some of my erase things as they get Mentoring Q&A. Statistics Survey of Earned Doctorates

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 11

LABNOTES

FROM EXPERIENCE | PRODUCTIVITY

Break the habit

Tips to stop procrastinating.
Do you keep postponing work you need to do? Most of us procras-
tinate from time to time. Rather than feeling guilty about it, or
beating yourself up, try these strategies to break the habit.
Schedule deep work. It’s easier to put off work that requires
concentration, so build consistent time into your daily calendar
to focus on your most important long-term project.
Accept demanding work. The more you can tolerate
demanding tasks, the less you will procrastinate. Commit to
tackling 90 minutes of one demanding task each day.
Create a system for new tasks. Establishing a
process will reduce decision fatigue on how to
begin, making you less likely to delay the work.
Practice self-compassion. People tend
to avoid tasks that stir up negative emo-
tions. Tell yourself, “It’s normal to be
disappointed in my past performance.
I’m learning through experience.”
Source: Adapted from Harvard Business Review

Share your best advice, leadership tip or productivity

hack with us at [email protected].

FangXiaNuo

12 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

 LABNOTES

POLICY IQ | POSTDOC EXPERIENCE the technical knowledge

and investigative skills

NIH’s Road Map to a Better they learned at the bench.

Although the report

Postdoc Experience encourages NIH to support

postdocs seeking these
career transitions, the
Working group calls for improvements to postdoctoral life, recommendation is short
on details, suggesting that
including a $70,000 minimum stipend.
NIH seek collaboration
in these various sectors.
The working group devel- recommends limiting a However, the report does
oped the report after more postdoc to a five-year time recommend a robust
than a year of information frame. Several suggestions expansion of a staff scien-
gathering through public lis- are given to support this tist career track, one which
tening sessions and a request timeline and to facilitate postdocs often end up in
for information, which career transition. For exam- after a somewhat blurry
received over 3,000 com- ple, the report describes transition period. The
ments, including from APS. a revision of the K99/R00 recommendation would
(You can read the Society’s mechanism to target early establish staff scientists

I
response at physiology.org/ postdocs and provide a as meaningfully different
Increasing salaries for NIHPostdocTraining. more stable and structured from postdocs, with higher
postdoctoral researchers path toward an independent compensation and support
is an important first step MORE THAN A research career. Professional on NIH grants.
to addressing the postdoc SALARY INCREASE development and
shortage—but it shouldn’t In an analysis of these com- skill training are
be the only step. That ments, the working group also emphasized, With only 1 in 4 life science
is the conclusion of the noted that salary and bene- with a proposal postdocs achieving a tenure-
National Institutes of fits were the most frequently that postdocs
track faculty position within
Health (NIH) Working cited postdoc concerns. spend a mini-
Group on Re-envisioning Other challenges that were mum of 10% of six years, postdoctoral training
NIH-Supported Postdoctoral highlighted include job inse- their effort on must prepare scholars for a
Training, which released curity, harassment, a lack of these activities broader range of careers.
its final report in support for career develop- and that mentors
December 2023. ment and skill training, and be held account-
The report contains limited career prospects able for reporting on men- LONG OVERDUE CHANGES
six concrete recommen- in academia. With only 1 toring activities as part of The working group’s report
dations to improve the in 4 life science postdocs the Research Performance could result in substantial
postdoc experience. achieving a tenure-track Progress Report. changes to the postdoc
The working group’s faculty position within six Because most post- experience. The group
first recommendation to years, postdoctoral training docs don’t end up in incorporated many of the
increase the minimum must prepare scholars for a tenure-track research suggestions provided in
National Research Service broader range of careers. positions, it is critical that APS’ comment into its final
Award postdoctoral In addition to proposing they have opportunities for report. It remains to be
stipend to $70,000 grabbed a salary hike and that post- professional development seen whether NIH is able to
headlines, but challenges docs receive the full benefits targeted at other career implement the plan set forth
in meeting the recom- of an employee (including tracks. Many postdocs go in the report.
mended pay level should dependent care coverage on to pursue opportunities Stay updated on policy efforts and
not overshadow other and retirement savings), in industry, government or sign up for APS Action Alerts at
ideas in the report. the working group’s report nonprofits, supported by physiology.org/advocacy.

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 13

LABNOTES

UNDER THE MICROSCOPE | NATURAL CURIOSITY This innate curiosity led me further our understanding
to major in biology as an of muscle physiology. (Hill

Inquiring Minds undergraduate and pursue

a PhD in pharmacology and
exercise physiology.
shared the 1922 Nobel Prize
for Physiology or Medicine
with Otto Meyerhof.)
This researcher has leaned into his inquisitiveness
since his competitive swimming days. A NEAR MISS. My near TIME TO PONDER. My
lab mishap came from favorite part is designing
my graduate work at the experiments and looking at
University of Texas. My the data. I also enjoy having
research involved isolating time to read scientific liter-
plasma membranes from rat ature and brainstorm new
skeletal muscle after exer- ideas for drug targets that we
cise, which required using can use in the lab because
another principal investiga- it engages the creative side
tor’s swinging bucket rotor of our brains (which we all
and ultracentrifuge across have) and gives me a sense
campus. One day, without of accomplishment. My
noticing, I hung one of the least favorite part: going to
rotor buckets by only one of meetings. While this is a
the two hooks that attached necessary part of all our
it to the rotor and started jobs, I find meetings to be
the centrifuge. The bucket boring and counterproduc-
should have flown off the tive to creativity.
rotor and destroyed the
centrifuge, but somehow CRITICAL NEED FOR
managed to stay in place. PHYSIOLOGY. The biggest
When I returned and saw misconception about
the rotor, I thanked the physiology is that it is an
science gods that I had not unnecessary part of science,
destroyed someone else’s which is far from the truth.

J
centrifuge and had to enter While it is easy to find cell
Joseph Brozinick, PhD, National Institutes of Health the federal witness reloca- and molecular biologists,
directs a preclinical phar- and at the University of tion program! it is exceptionally difficult
macology lab at Eli Lilly and Pennsylvania. to find people who excel
Company in Indianapolis NOBEL-WINNING LEGACY. at in vivo physiology.
in the Endocrine Division CURIOUS KID. I have I would have liked to meet Understanding the breadth
as an executive director in always been fascinated with A.V. Hill. When he was of human diseases requires
the Cardiorenal Group. He the mysteries of biology alive, one of the biggest knowledge of physiology
earned his undergraduate and figuring out how things unknown questions in to fully appreciate the
degree in biology from work. I was involved in physiology was the regula- coordinated interactions
Indiana University of sports and was a competi- tion of muscle contraction. between the various organ
Pennsylvania, a master’s in tive swimmer in high school Hill did some pioneering systems. As a society, we
biology from East Carolina and college. This enticed work on frog muscle to need to do a better job of
University and his PhD me to understand both how show that contraction pointing this out to trainees
in exercise physiology, the human body responds released heat and required and their mentors.
biology and pharmacology to exercise and how the energy. He also came up
Do you know someone we
from the University of various organ systems with a model to describe should meet? Email us at
Texas at Austin. He did his responses are coordinated contraction, which was [email protected]
postdoctoral training at the on a physiological level. not entirely correct but did and tell us more.

14 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

 LABNOTES

PUBLISH WITH POLISH | SUBMISSIONS STATS & FACTS

From Meeting to Manuscript 28 to 43

Learn how to turn your Summit abstract or other research into a The increase in the median age
at death for people with sickle
manuscript worthy of an APS journal.
cell disease in 1979 versus 2017.

W
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Welcome home from the 2024 types and special features are When you’re ready to

56%
American Physiology Summit! specific to each journal. Need submit, in addition to
After immersing yourself in help structuring the sections submitting your manuscript
three days of science, you are of your manuscript? We have a file(s), you’ll need a few
probably feeling inspired to pub- manuscript template for that. other bits of information,
lish your own work or turn your Formatting figures should be a such as your funding details
The percent of surveyed
abstract into a journal submis- stress-free process, too, so we and an ORCID for the corre-
sion. Now, APS journals make it PhD students who changed
have detailed guidance on how sponding author. We’re also
easier than ever to prepare and to prepare figures, including happy to say that we short- their career goals between
submit your manuscript. Here’s handouts on best practices for ened the initial submission matriculation and graduation.
a guide through the journal different imaging software. process to be more stream- FASEB BioAdvances

selection process to manuscript lined and user-friendly. For

preparation and submission, example, supplemental and
which you can review in-depth source data may be uploaded
“The sickle cell
at physiology.org/author-info. as PDF files at initial submis- disease community
Let’s get started. sion, not requiring repository has historically been
With APS, you know that you upload until the revised underserved and
will publish with purpose. This submission stage.
means, as a self-publishing soci- Finally, we’d be remiss
underacknowledged
ety, APS reinvests journal rev- if we didn’t throw in a few when it comes to rare
enue directly into the research general writing tips to help genetic conditions, so
community we support. By with discoverability after it is heartening to see
publishing your research with publication. Craft an engaging
[it] at the forefront of
us, you are supporting your title that concisely sells your
scientific meetings, awards APS also still offers data and conclusions, and
gene therapy.”
Vence L. Bonham Jr., JD, acting deputy director of
and fellowships, and career and FlexSubmit, which allows let your abstract summarize
the National Human Genome Research Institute
educational resources. initial manuscripts to be in a your results and promote the
Not sure which of APS’ 16 format-neutral style, even as significance of your findings.
journals to submit to? Check
out the “Which APS Journal?”
a single-merged PDF. If the
required information is present
­And don’t underestimate
the value of using keywords, $2.2 million
webpage that succinctly (author details, full text, figures which drive discoverability and The U.S. list price for the one-
summarizes each journal’s topic and tables, etc.), the manu- increase readership­. time CRISPR treatment for
focus. From there, you can easily script will be evaluated on its You have what it takes sickle cell disease.
access detailed scope descrip- scientific merit. It’s a great way to turn your American Reuters
tions to find the perfect home to get your research in front Physiology Summit abstract

1 in 13
for your research. of the editors’ and reviewers’ into a manuscript submission.
The APS Publications team eyes as quickly as possible. You’ve already done the
revamped the Information All revised submissions must hard work in the lab—now
for Authors page in 2023 to follow detailed manuscript go get published!
Portra/iStockphoto

streamline what you need to instructions, as described The number of Black or African
To learn more about the
prepare your manuscript. We above. Review the Submission resources above, visit American babies born in the
have several handy tables Checklist to ensure your physiology.org/author-info or U.S. with the sickle cell trait.
that illustrate which article manuscript is ready. email [email protected].
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 15

LABNOTES

IN DEPTH | CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS Western countries work as

shift workers, and most high

Tick-Tock Biology school and college students

stay awake late into the
night studying for exams.
Breakthrough research into the biology of time is uncovering how restoring This widespread disrup-
natural rhythms could help stave off disease. tion in our internal clocks
is, in my view, contributing

S
to an increased risk for
Satchidananda (Satchin) Panda, PhD, is a professor at the Salk Institute in many chronic diseases, such
as diabetes and depression
California, where his research focuses on the circadian regulation of behavior,
and even dementia and
physiology and metabolism. Two decades ago, Panda contributed to the cancer. My research could
discovery that a blue-light sensitive protein called melanopsin is critical for help reveal how the princi-
regulating our body’s circadian clock. More recently, his lab pioneered ples of circadian rhythms
could be used to rebuild
research into how time-restricted eating—confining caloric consumption to this anthropogenic world in
an 8- to 12-hour period—could help prevent a host of health problems. a way that might prevent,
cure and reverse disease.
What motivated you to However, the when aspect to the rotation of our planet
study the circadian clock was very little explored around its axis. Humans and Tell us more about the
and its role in health? What at that time. I became almost every other organism approaches you’re using to
are you trying to figure out? interested in what I call the on this planet evolved based study circadian rhythms
When I was finishing my biology of time: how bio- on this 24-hour day and and disease.
undergrad and master’s logical systems keep track night cycle. However, over I use different model
studies in India, I realized of time, how they respond the past 150 years or so we systems, including fruit flies
that although we know in a time-of-day dependent have created a man-made and mice, and we also do
a lot about biology, it is manner and whether environment that ignores human studies. We ask very
nambitomo/iStockphoto

mostly linked to what and the disruption of timing this 24-hour rhythm and simple questions such as:
how much. For example, contributes to disease. sometimes actually requires If a gene is disrupted, does
we know what kinds of The word “circadian” disruption of the circadian it lead to circadian rhythm
genes and proteins affect means 24-hour rhythms, rhythm. For example, nearly disruption? Does disrupt-
metabolism or behavior. and these rhythms are tied 20% of working adults in ing the light-dark cycle

16 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

 LABNOTES

“Over the past 150 years or so we have created a and had signs of heart and STATS & FACTS

~2%
liver disease—almost every
man-made environment that ignores this 24-hour metabolic disease that
rhythm and sometimes actually requires disruption can happen to these mice.
of the circadian rhythm.” Surprisingly, the second
group of mice, even after
eating the same number The portion of sickle cell
lead to circadian rhythm light cycle used in neonatal of calories from the same disease patients taking the
disruption? Do disruptions ICUs. It has also allowed fatty, sugary diet, were three medications approved
in the feeding-fasting cycle us to understand how completely protected from for the disease since 2017.
cause circadian rhythm lighting can be optimized to all these diseases. The Washington Post
disruption? We also study improve performance among There are now more
very simple outcomes such schoolchildren or to reduce than 150 clinical trials
as growth rate and sleep, the severity of dementia related to time-restricted “My life is
as well as changes in the
amount of fat and muscle
among older adults.
Another important
eating being performed limitless now.
around the world. We hope
and variations in heart rate. finding from our lab is that that these studies will I’m full of energy.
Team science is extremely
important for circadian
most of our genes turn on
and off in different organs
show who can benefit from
this approach and whether
I don’t have
rhythm research because we at specific times during it can be further amplified pain. It’s a real
need specialists who can
carry out various kinds of
the 24-hour day. The fact
that every organ has its
by combining it with drugs
and other interventions.
transformation.”
Victoria Gray, the first person
biochemical or physiologi- own clock means that the
in the U.S. to receive CRISPR
cal assessments. Collection circadian aspect of almost What’s next for
gene-editing treatment for
and analysis of large every disease can now be your research?
sickle cell disease.
amounts of data requires traced back to mechanisms There are three foundations
National Public Radio
the expertise of computer in the respective organ. This of health: nutrition, sleep
scientists, data scientists and has important implications and physical activity. We

37%
statisticians. I also collabo- for understanding diseases know that sleep disruption
rate closely with physicians and for optimal timing leads to various problems,
and physician-scientists to of medication. but we don’t know why
study the circadian rhythm or how. We’re working to
in people. What has your research systematically understand The number of surveyed
revealed about how sleep disruption affects employees in the U.S. looking
What are some of the time-restricted eating? our immune system and for a new job in 2024.
most important findings In 2012, we published a very metabolism, for example. Staffing Industry Analysts
that have resulted from simple but profound study. We are also working to
your research? We divided mice into two better understand physical

1922
Almost 22 years ago, our different groups. One group activity. There are so
team, together with two was allowed to eat whatever many diseases that can be
other labs, co-discovered and whenever they wanted prevented or cured with
that a protein present in from a fatty, sugary diet. exercise, but at the same
just a few cells in our eyes The second group was time we don’t know how The year sickle cell was first
senses blue light around us given the same number of exercise affects physiology. recognized as a disease, then
and then sends that informa- calories and quality of diet This work will provide new named “sickle cell anemia.”
tion to the master clock in as the first group but all insights into how lifestyle Johns Hopkins University

the brain to tell us whether within an eight-to-nine-hour changes can be used to

it’s morning or night. This period each day. After 16 improve health.
finding transformed how we to 18 weeks, the first group Interview conducted by science
light hospitals and the became obese, diabetic writer Nancy D. Lamontagne.

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 17

 Moving
Along with
Musch
New APS President Timothy Musch’s
43-year career has seen many changes in
science and academia. But he’s confident
that physiology is the future.
BY MEREDITH SELL

I
Photography by Jeff Moore, Kansas State University Division of Communications and Marketing

In 2014, Timothy Musch, PhD, FAPS, and his wife

attended their daughter’s pinning ceremony before
her graduation from physical therapy school. They
were at Wichita State University, roughly 130 miles
from their home in Manhattan, Kansas, known as
the “Little Apple” and the domain of Kansas State
University. Musch’s daughter introduced him to the
head of Wichita State’s physical therapy program,
and as they shook hands, Musch was caught off-
guard by the man’s greeting.
“Dr. Musch, I took your Kinesiology 335 class,”
the program head said.

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 19

 Musch didn’t recognize the Musch, who is a University her father was an orthodontist,” he
man—after all, it’s not possible to Distinguished Professor of Exercise says, “and I saw how they lived.”
remember every one of the thousands Physiology at Kansas State and He had a scholarship to Berkeley
of students you’ve taught over 30 teaches in both the College of for swimming and was spending five
years—but he was proud to know Veterinary Medicine and the College hours a day in the athletic facilities.
that one of his previous students was of Health and Human Sciences, never “Since I was spending so much time
leading a physical therapy program imagined he would pursue a life in the athletic department, I declared
where not only his daughter, but in research or academia. When he physical education,” he says. He took
other Kansas State graduates, contin- started his undergraduate studies at “physiology of exercise” with George
ued their education. the University of California, Berkeley Brooks, PhD, one of the assistant
in the 1970s, he was planning to go to professors, and did exceptionally
dental school. “I had a girlfriend and well. At the end of the course, Brooks
CAREER TIMELINE

1968–1972 1973–1974 1974–1981 1981–1984 1984–1991

Bachelor of Arts in Master of Arts in Physical PhD in Exercise Postdoctoral fellowship — Assistant Professor of
Physical Education — Education — University of Physiology — University Division of Cardiology, Medicine and Cellular &
University of California, California, Berkeley of Wisconsin–Madison University of Texas, Molecular Physiology —
Berkeley Southwestern Pennsylvania State
Medical School University, Milton S.
Hershey Medical Center

20 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

asked Musch what he was going to do He worked with a cardiologist in of heart failure changed how skeletal
for his career and suggested he go to the lab, looking at blood flow through muscle blood flow was regulated at
graduate school. muscle and how it was affected by rest and during exercise and that it
“Why would I go to graduate cardiovascular stress. He learned the remained reduced in the patient even
school?” Musch remembers asking, and radiolabeled microsphere technique after they received a new heart.
Brooks’ answer was simple: “They pay for measuring skeletal muscle blood In response to the heart’s inability
you.” Musch was intrigued. flow and looked at skeletal blood to sustain a normal cardiac output,
“Dr. Brooks, you couldn’t say ‘no’ flow in exercising dogs. His skill in a strong vasoconstriction occurs in
to him,” Musch says. “He was this that technique helped him land his the skeletal muscle to maintain blood
young guy. He knew my background next appointment: on the faculty at pressure. When the new heart was
and I knew his—kind of blue-collar Pennsylvania State University in the transplanted, that vasoconstriction
backgrounds. He would never, ever Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. didn’t just go away, so even though the
call me by my first name. It was He heard about the opportunity new heart produced a greater cardiac
always, ‘Hey, Musch.’ ‘Yeah?’ ‘You’re from a friend, who told him the output, it did not result in increases in
gonna do this.’ ‘Okay.’” job was practically written for him. skeletal muscle blood flow.
Musch ended up earning his Musch faxed his materials over on a Findings like these excited Musch,
master’s at Berkeley and working in Monday, heard back two days later, and working closely with clinicians
the lab with Brooks. When Musch flew out the next Monday to inter- and drug companies meant he
was almost done with his master’s, view, and received the job offer that could see his work directly making
Brooks told him he should pursue Friday. He, his wife, and their new- a difference for patients. “It was a
his doctorate. “Go to Madison, born daughter packed up and moved tremendous environment to get my
Wisconsin,” Brooks told him. “You’ll to Hershey, Pennsylvania, where they career started,” he says. “I had all the
have more fun there.” stayed for nine years. Musch taught resources I needed to be successful.”
a little bit, ran the cardiovascular But he says while he was appreci-
FINDING HIS WAY TO PHYSIOLOGY sheep laboratory for the first-year ating the real-life impact of his work,
That’s exactly what Musch did. medical students, experimented on the reductionist approach to science
His time in Wisconsin ended up rats, and collaborated with col- was taking hold, progressively
being pivotal: That’s where he met leagues on studies focused on heart narrowing down to the cellular
his wife, on a blind date set up by transplant patients and heart failure. and molecular level and too often
a fellow graduate student’s spouse. “When I got into the business, if neglecting systemic understandings
They married in 1980; he graduated you talked with a cardiologist, they of physiology.
in 1981. And then it was on to said the problem is the heart is dam- “The big move from the NIH
Dallas, to the University of Texas aged, it can’t pump, and so the people was to go down into the cell. They
Southwestern Medical School, for become very sedentary and what you thought the Human Genome Project
his postdoctoral work. see in the peripheral skeletal muscle would be how we would cure these
“I told my wife, if my postdoc is a detraining effect,” Musch says. diseases, so they started funding
wasn’t life-changing, then I was But in work that he collaborated on many cellular and molecular biol-
going to go to vet school,” he says, with Lawrence Sinoway, MD, at Penn ogists. So, you have a lot of people
“but my time in Dallas was great.” State, they found that the condition going down, reduction in science,

1991–1993 1993–1996 1996–2017 2013–2015 2017–Present

Associate Professor of Associate Professor of Professor of Kinesiology, Interim Associate University Distinguished
Medicine and Cellular & Kinesiology, Anatomy Anatomy & Physiology — Dean for Research & Professor, Kinesiology —
Molecular Physiology — & Physiology — Kansas Kansas State University Scholarship — College Kansas State University
Pennsylvania State State University of Health and Human
University, Milton S. Sciences, Kansas
Hershey Medical Center State University

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 21

but they struggled to bring their dis- Next, they recruited Thomas team effort in the research program,”
coveries back up to the organ systems Barstow, PhD, FAPS, whose research Musch says. They also strengthened
level,” he says. “When I moved to on oxygen uptake and skeletal the academic program, increasing the
Hershey, there was the Department muscle blood flow in humans com- number of kinesiology majors from
of Physiology, then it became the plemented Musch and Poole’s animal less than 200 to more than 600 today.
Department of Cellular Physiology, research. Then, Richard McAllister, While other kinesiology programs
then it became the Department of PhD, who could isolate arterioles focus on athletic training or biome-
Cellular and Molecular Physiology.” and look at their function. “Each hire chanics, Kansas State’s program has
Then, for unrelated reasons, Penn was instrumental in contributing to a focused on the connection between
State’s medical school hit financial physical activity and public health,
trouble and Musch started seeking and, appropriately, physiology.
out other opportunities.
8 Questions “We have enough [faculty] in kine-
siology that are physiologists, so we
RECRUITING HIS KANSAS
STATE TEAM
with Tim Musch can offer the expertise in respiratory
physiology, cardiovascular physi-
In the 1990s, universities across What is your best piece of career ology, skeletal muscle physiology,
the U.S. were reorganizing their advice? If the door of opportunity neurophysiology,” Musch says. This
physical education programs into knocks, don’t be afraid to step through background in systems physiology
new kinesiology departments and it and see where it takes you. Life is has set his graduates up for success.
looking for qualified faculty to teach full of opportunities, and if you don’t Feedback indicates that the students
science-based courses. Kansas State take those opportunities, you might who come from the program know
was one such institution. regret it. Every single time the door of more physiology than the people who
“When I interviewed, they were opportunity has knocked, I’ve been were teaching physiology in their
ready for me,” Musch says. “Every surprised. It’s been very good for me. physical therapy schools.
single time I had a question, they had
the right answer. Where am I going What is your idea of happiness? CALLING MORE ATTENTION
to do my animal research? ‘You can Visiting my children and grandchildren. TO PHYSIOLOGY
have a lab in the vet school.’ Is the This success, along with the example
administration set up to administer What is your greatest fear? Losing a of peer institutions, led Musch’s
my NIH grant? ‘Yes.’” family member. colleagues to establish an integrative
The university gave him a dual physiology major two years ago. It
appointment with the Department What three traits do you value in also backs up Musch’s conviction that
a colleague? Honesty, hardworking,
of Kinesiology on the main campus physiology is the discipline crucial
collegiality.
and the Department of Anatomy and for ensuring discoveries made on
Physiology in the College of Veterinary the cellular and molecular levels are
Who do you most admire? My three
Medicine. The dean encouraged him translated, tested and understood in
mentors: Dr. George Brooks, Dr. Jerry
to recruit another physiologist. He the big picture. Musch plans to bring
Dempsey and the late Dr. Jere Mitchell.
started with David Poole, PhD, DSc, this same conviction to the role of
who was working in the medical What talent would you most like to
APS president, which he stepped into
school at University of California, have? To be able to write a clear and in April. In this role, he will work to
San Diego, and whose research was funded grant every single time. elevate the field of physiology and
complementary to Musch’s. help APS fulfill its strategic plan.
“We were both interested in the What is your greatest career “Physiology, historically, has been
regulation of skeletal muscle blood achievement? Getting Dr. David Poole an extremely strong and important
flow,” Musch says. “I was at the macro to come to Kansas State University. science associated with medicine, and
level, so I looked at total flow to the it’s been lost a bit by the academic
muscle and muscle parts, and David What is your most treasured institutions. We need to re-establish
did the microcirculation, so he was possession? Life. that we are physiology, and we are
interested in oxygen transport and important,” he says, chuckling. But it’s
blood flow down in the capillaries.” not just a joke. He means it.

22 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

Contemplating graduate school as the next step in your
education and career?
Search the American Physiological Society’s Graduate Physiology and
Biomedical Science Program Catalog. This online directory is designed to help
early-career physiologists and undergraduate biology or life science students find
the ideal graduate program. New additions are added frequently.

Are you a professor or mentor?

Share this catalog with your undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students to
help grow the next generation of physiologists.

Check out the catalog today at physiology.org/GraduatePhysiology.

Interested in listing
your program?
Contact Jacob White
for more information.
Jacob White
Senior Manager
Development &
Strategic Partnerships
[email protected]
301.634.7991
 FINDING

YOUR
How to know it’s time
to choose a different
path, whether pursuing
a new opportunity or

WAY
making a career pivot.
BY CANDACE Y.A. MONTAGUE AND
MELANIE PADGETT POWERS

K
Karen Edelblum, PhD, was not unhappy at Rutgers University. But after seven years as an
assistant professor running her first independent lab, she started to reflect on her career:
What would the next phase look like? How had her interests and research changed?

As a researcher of inflammatory
bowel disease (IBD), Edelblum
realized she missed working in
centers that were gastrointestinal (GI)
was first described in 1932 at Mount
Sinai, and the institution remains
at the forefront of Crohn’s disease
research and treatment.
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?
Deciding to pursue a new opportu-
nity, whether it is changing univer-
sities, adding or subtracting teaching
focused, like she had as a trainee. “A month and a half later, I inter- and administrative duties, or leaving
Now, she was based in a center for viewed,” Edelblum says, “and then academia, is a major step in your
immunity and inflammation. She four months after that I had an offer. It career journey. It can be daunting
thought she might be ready for a was not the normal academic interview to consider such big decisions,
change—and she wanted to get back process, but that was entirely because I and fear can hold us back from
Illustration by Robert Neubecker

to doing mostly research. had built relationships in the field.” In making a change. But it’s important
As Edelblum applied for tenure March 2023, Edelblum—and her entire to recognize the signs that a change
at Rutgers, she also reached out to lab team—moved to the Icahn School of might be what you need and to
her network and learned there was a Medicine at Mount Sinai. As part of her know how to reflect on your options.
dream position researching Crohn's package, she was promoted to associate Sometimes, Edelblum says, it
disease at Mount Sinai in New York professor. She applied for and received comes down to a simple question:
City. Crohn’s disease, a type of IBD, tenure after arriving. “Am I happy?”

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 25

 As a dean, “I love
in many industries. A 2018 Pew
Research Center study revealed that

helping people get 71% of men and 76% of women

in STEM careers say being able to
innovative and navigate balance work and family is important
to them in choosing a job.
the complex landscape Family life was something

that is higher education.”

Alexander Staruschenko, PhD, FAPS,
considered when he was ready to
—Jason Carter, PhD move on from his research role at
the Medical College of Wisconsin
(MCW). Over 14 years, he had
“grown up” at the college, moving
from assistant to associate to full pro-
fessor, then eminent scholar, which
To consider whether it’s time to is the equivalent of an endowed
move on, first figure out what you chair. He felt he had achieved all he
can and can’t control, says Cassie M. could at MCW.
Briggs, PhD, a certified professional In 2021, Staruschenko was offered
STEM career coach and CEO of a position at the University of South
Success in Science Career Coaching. Florida (USF). He appreciated USF’s
“If the things outside of your control commitment to building a high-profile
are negatively affecting you, that’s research program and saw how he
when you need to start having could continue growing his research
conversations with others, such as and his career. But he and his wife
[a mentor] or colleagues, about how had their kids to consider.
this can be remedied. What other At the time, their son was 15
positions are out there?” she says. and daughter, 10. Their son had
Briggs says it’s a little like diag- just started high school, and the
nosing an illness and then finding couple didn’t want to disrupt either
the right treatment for it. “This is child’s high school experience, so it
about the diagnosis. You have to was time to make a move or wait sev-
figure out what’s wrong before you eral years. Now, at USF, Staruschenko
can decide what to do.” is a professor in the College of
As a university biology professor Medicine’s Molecular Pharmacology
before becoming a career coach, and Physiology Department and
Briggs knows what a pivot feels director of the Hypertension and
like. She discovered a passion for Kidney Research Center.
supporting students in their career
aspirations during office hours. EMBRACING THE CURVEBALLS
So, in 2020, she resigned from her Sometimes a career move is about
university position and went into more than finding a new position.
the STEM-tailored career coaching Maybe you are feeling unfilled in the
business full-time. arena you studied so long to get to
and need to pivot. Reflect on what
PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS you love—and don’t—about your
Having the flexibility to pursue pas- career and how you can lean into
sions while maintaining meaningful new passions. Sometimes opportu-
connections with family and friends nities can pop up when you’re not
has become essential to employees even looking.

26 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

 Growing up in Puerto Rico,
Katya Melnik-Martinez, PhD, was
always fascinated by the wonders 4 Steps of Career Diagnosis
of the environment. After earning STEM career coach Cassie M. Briggs, PhD, shares these tips to help you assess
a PhD in neuroscience at Case your level of career fulfillment.
Western University in Cleveland,
Melnik-Martinez moved back to
STEP 1: Collect data and look for patterns.
Puerto Rico and landed a research
Review your tasks, who you worked with and where you worked,
position at Universidad Central del
and how productive or happy you feel at the end of each day.
Caribe. She worked on a project
What patterns or correlations do you notice in a week or month?
involving microscopic worms. “I
had a really nice project going. I
really liked it,” she says. But when STEP 2: Distinguish tasks from their context
the one-year grant was not renewed, Imagine you are responsible for writing and submitting grant
Melnik-Martinez lost her position. proposals for an R1 university but dread it. The question is, do
That’s when she decided she didn’t you dislike writing grants, or do you dislike writing them for the
want to deal with the ups and downs university? Would you like your job at the university better if you
of seeking grant funding anymore. didn’t have to write grants? Would you like your job better if you
She had come to love teaching, so wrote grants for a nonprofit?
after reflecting on her options, she
decided to become a science teacher.
Melnik-Martinez and her family STEP 3: Check your alignment.
How well does your role align with your professional identity,
moved to Maryland, where she is
such as your values, interests, skills and priorities?
now a high school biology teacher.
“I’m glad I went in a different direc-
tion,” she says. “I absolutely love STEP 4: Reflect on your “why.”
what I do.” Remind yourself: What is the purpose of your career? Are
Integrative physiologist Jason you looking for your career to provide the financial stability
Carter, PhD, certainly never expected needed to experience a fulfilling life outside work, or are you
the trajectory his career took—into looking for fulfillment within your career itself—or both?
administration. Carter is the dean of
the Robbins College of Health and
Human Sciences at Baylor University
in Waco, Texas.
After earning his bachelor’s and It turned out that Carter enjoyed to do the same thing at the university
doctorate at Michigan Technological the administrative aspects of the role, level as associate vice president for
University, Carter began adjunct as long as he could continue to do research development.
teaching for the biology department. research. “I found a knack for it,” he After spending his entire career
He advocated for Michigan Tech to says. “It wasn’t something I sought at Michigan Tech, Carter decided
launch a kinesiology department, an out. It was something that presented to move on to become vice presi-
idea leadership supported. As Carter itself, and I was just trying to do the dent for research at Montana State
began to help launch the program, the very best job I possibly could with University in Bozeman. Three
plan included him becoming the first my research, teaching and building a years later, he was offered the
tenure-track assistant professor of the good program.” dean position at Baylor, where
new department. Then, the chair of the The new kinesiology depart- he works directly with faculty
new department died suddenly, thrust- ment found success and built up across six departments. “I love
ing Carter into the role. While that’s its research quickly. After taking helping people get innovative and
not a route anyone would choose, he on an associate dean role to help navigate the complex landscape
says, “you have to follow the pathways grow research across the College of that is higher education at an R1
that are opened up for you.” Sciences and Arts, Carter was asked university,” he says.

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 27

“I was so nervous about making that about making that change,” she says.
“I’d trained to be an academic my
change. I’d trained to be an academic whole life. Was I making a mistake?
Because there’s no coming back from
my whole life. Was I making a mistake?” not being in the research lab for a
year or so. The job and atmosphere
—Lisa Ganser, PhD
were so different, but I eventually
found my cadence.”
Karla Haack, PhD, can relate to the
weight of academia. After earning
her doctorate in cell physiology
Carter says not only is it import- California, Davis to the school of (applied biology), she spent five
ant to know what you want out of medicine and a clinical department years in postdoctoral studies working
a career, but to be patient for the at the University of Iowa allowed her in autonomic and cardiovascular
right position to come along. “It’s to decrease her teaching load. She physiology. She took time off to
super easy to chase a lot of positions then left Iowa for Oklahoma because have her first child and reentered
because there are a lot out there for her research leaned more into aging, the workforce as a university lec-
good STEM faculty.” But, he says, and OMRF and the University of turer. She loved teaching, but she
“People can jump on too many Oklahoma Medical School had was burnt out from the demands
opportunities. It’s important to programs that allowed her to do more of academia. Because she had a
know what you want and where translational research. passion for writing, she decided to
you want to be.” leverage that talent.
Staruschenko stresses that the deci- FACING BURNOUT “I was always helping write
sion to stay or go is very individual- Sometimes when you ask yourself everyone’s papers; I was the per-
ized. There are benefits to both chang- that simple question “Am I happy?” son that was always helping to
ing positions and to staying in one the answer is “no.” Comparative put together everyone’s posters,”
place your entire career, he says. When physiologist Lisa Ganser, PhD, was she says. “That was the part of
he was younger, well-established once quite content with her position the work I really enjoyed. I liked
physiologists told him, “You need as an assistant professor at Kennesaw problem-solving.”
to make a big move every 10 years State University in Georgia. She Haack entered a medical writing
in your career.” He disagrees: “That relished her rich conversations training program at Merck, where
might be a good timeline and work for and research projects with students. she's now an associate medical
some people, but that doesn’t mean But the struggle to continually writer. “I love my job! It keeps me on
that it works for others.” obtain grant funding, the bal- my toes. It’s an interesting way to use
Sue Bodine, PhD, FAPS, a pro- looning class sizes after a merger one’s science background,” she says.
fessor at the Oklahoma Medical with Southern Polytechnic State There are many factors and
Research Foundation (OMRF), University, and the lack of opportu- questions to ask yourself when
has made three big moves in her nities for women of color took its toll you decide it might be time to
physiology career—in one sense on her mental health. move on—it’s a personal and
all three were lateral moves, as “I could tell that my anxiety individualized process. Reflect
she was already a full professor. was coming to a head after the on your happiness, whether your
But she could see that each change merger when it would take all my values and goals are aligned with
afforded her new opportunities in effort to get ready for class or to take your position, and what lights you
her research. Bodine is a neuro- care of the lab animals or be present up every day.
muscular physiologist studying the for both research and course stu- “There are many reasons why
regulation of skeletal muscle mass dents,” she says. somebody wants to move,” Bodine
and the mechanisms underlying When the opportunity came says, “but weigh the positives
muscle atrophy. for Ganser to work as a health and the negatives, the cost-benefit
Her move from an undergrad- scientist at a government agency, analysis, of what that move is
uate department at University of she jumped on it. “I was so nervous going to bring you.”

28 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

 WHAT is physiology?
WHERE is physiology?
WHY does it matter to you?

Join the American Physiological Society as we follow the path

from the lab to everyday life at ISpyPhysiology.com.

Interested in contributing? Email

[email protected].

#ISpyPhysiology
Advances in
SickleDisease
Cell
 Research has led to
major breakthroughs
in the treatment of
sickle cell disease, with
promising advances
still on the horizon.
BY CHRISTINA SZALINSKI, PHD

S
Since the 1956 discovery of the sickle
cell disease (SCD) gene mutation,
our understanding of the disease
has increased dramatically, with
advancements in diagnosis, treatment
and management. However, though
medicines helped with pain and other
symptoms, until 2023, the only cure
was a bone marrow transplant, which
has challenges of donor availability and
potential complications.
Then, in December 2023, the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approved two gene therapies that serve
as potential cures for those with severe
SCD. Physiologists are among those
conducting research that would bring
Illustration: Meletios Verras/iStockphoto

about more treatments. Furthermore,

the impact of SCD research extends
beyond the disease—it has the
potential to unlock valuable insights
related to other conditions, such as HIV
and beta thalassemia.

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 31

 SCD is a painful and debilitating as hemoglobin HbAT87Q. These
genetic disease that, in the U.S., pre- hemoglobins are naturally flexible
dominantly affects Black Americans. and do not sickle or aggregate, thereby
A sickle cell crisis occurs when the reducing the frequency and severity
sickle-shaped red blood cells block of pain crises, as well as the compli-
blood flow in different parts of the body. cations associated with red blood cell
This can cause intense pain. Triggers for damage and thrombosis.
these crises can include stress, sudden The gene therapy made by Vertex
change in temperature, infection, Pharmaceuticals, called Casgevy
dehydration and certain medications. (betibeglogene autotemcel), uses
The pain can feel like having a frac- CRISPR/Cas9 technology to induce fetal
ture in your bone “and it’s not healing, hemoglobin production. The gene ther-
and your bone keeps getting fractured, apy from Bluebird Bio, called Lyfgenia
again and again and again,” explains (betibeglogene autotemcel), uses a
Akshay Sharma, MBBS, bone marrow lentiviral vector to promote synthesis
transplant physician and researcher at of normal hemoglobin HbAT87Q by the
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. erythroid precursor cells (young blood
SCD is caused by a mutation in cells). In clinical trials, these treatments
the gene that codes for hemoglobin, significantly reduced the frequency
the protein in red blood cells that and severity of pain crises and other
carries oxygen throughout the body. complications. Long-term studies will
Normally, red blood cells are round reveal if they have sustained success.
and flexible, which allows them While this new technology would
to easily move through narrow be life-changing for many people with
blood vessels. However, in SCD, the SCD, it requires a patient to spend a
abnormal hemoglobin causes the red month or more in the hospital, first to
blood cells to become fragile (causing mobilize and collect their stem cells
anemia), stiff, sticky and sickle-shaped and then to undergo chemotherapy to
when they lack oxygen. These sickle eliminate their bone marrow before it is
cells can clump together and block replaced with new genetically modified
blood flow to organs and tissues, cells. This carries risks, says Sharma,
causing pain, tissue damage and other who was involved in the Vertex clinical
complications such as stroke. trials. It also costs $2 to $3 million for
In the long term, SCD can cause one person. Because of the price tag,
blood clots, kidney damage, liver insurers may limit which patients are
disease, vision loss, splenic sequestra- eligible for gene therapy coverage.
tion (enlarged spleen and severe drop Sharma is hopeful that in the future
in hemoglobin), stroke, chronic pain there will be a vaccine, which would be
and cognitive decline. “The median less invasive and more cost-effective.
lifespan is about 40 to 45 years for indi- Some patients may opt to have a
viduals with sickle cell disease because bone marrow transplant, which has
there’s all these complications that lead been a treatment for children with
to organ damage,” Sharma says. severe SCD since the 1980s. However, Illustration: EzumeImages /iStockphoto

patients still require chemotherapy to

NEW SCD TREATMENTS reset their bone marrow, and physicians
The two new gene therapies for need to replace it with a close match.
SCD edit the DNA within a person’s As with any transplant, there’s a risk
own blood stem cells to promote that the body will develop graft versus
production of fetal hemoglobin or host disease and reject the new bone
another normal hemoglobin, such marrow cells. This doesn’t happen with

32 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

gene therapy because it uses the body’s
own cells. However, a bone marrow Because gene therapy costs $2 to
transplant costs less than gene therapy.
More commonly, people with SCD
$3 million for one person, insurers
are treated with a drug called hydroxy-
urea, which stimulates the production
may limit which patients are
of fetal hemoglobin in the patient’s eligible for gene therapy coverage.
own erythroid cells. Hydroxyurea
reduces the frequency of pain crises
and thrombus formation and the need
for blood transfusion in SCD patients
with severe disease. Though clinical “We hope that memantine can be quality of life for patients with SCD,”
trials of hydroxyurea began in 1984, its used to stabilize the red blood cells he says. It doesn’t sound like much,
mechanism of action is still not fully and also to somewhat relieve pain, but he points out that physical activity
understood. More recent drugs include inflammation and organ damage,” can be very demanding for those with
voxelotor, which prevents red blood Bogdanova says. It’s too early to know SCD because they also have anemia.
cells sickling, and crizanlizumab, its long-term effects, but the first His team is continuing to study the
which reduces red blood cell adher- outcomes for the SCD patients treated long-term benefits of regular exercise.
ence and SCD crises. with memantine for 12 months are
There are also new drugs in promising, she says. And the drug is INEQUITIES PERSIST
clinical trials. Based on the findings well-tolerated by adult and adolescent Despite being a more prevalent con-
of the group of Anna Bogdanova, SCD patients. Bogdanova believes that dition, SCD research has historically
PhD, at the University of Zurich’s this small molecule can be combined received significantly less funding
Institute of Veterinary Physiology, the with hydroxyurea for a more compre- than research into other genetic dis-
University Hospital Zurich carried hensive treatment approach. eases, such as cystic fibrosis—a genetic
out a MemSID Phase II clinical trial disease that predominantly affects
of memantine for SCD. A follow-up BENEFITS OF EXERCISE white people. SCD is three times more
trial was recently finalized at the An even simpler and more readily prevalent than cystic fibrosis in the
Pediatric Hematology Unit at the available approach to managing U.S. This funding gap and decreased
Emek Medical Center in Afula, Israel. SCD could be exercise. Laurent attention has likely hampered progress
“The idea was to help people in Messonnier, PhD, exercise physiol- in developing new treatments and
[developing] countries because it’s a ogy professor at Université Savoie improving patient outcomes.
very cheap drug. It’s already available Mont Blanc and researcher at the Additionally, SCD patients have
for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Interuniversity Laboratory of Human been marginalized in medical care,
and we repurposed it into something Movement Sciences in France, is where their extreme pain can be
for sickle cell disease patients,” studying how physical activity can dismissed. Data suggest that children
Bogdanova says. help those with SCD. with SCD aren’t getting the preven-
Memantine blocks N-methyl “High-intensity exercise can be dan- tive treatment they should. A Centers
D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR), gerous for patients with SCD because it for Disease Control and Prevention
which allow calcium ions to enter the can cause a sickle cell crisis,” he says, report found that less than half of
cell when activated. Red blood cells “but low- to moderate-intensity exercise U.S. children ages 2 to 16 with SCD
affected by SCD have an increase in is safe and performed regularly can be received the recommended screening
abundance and activity of NMDAR, beneficial for patients with SCD.” for stroke. Furthermore, many of
though its role in red blood cells is an Using a stationary bike and a heart these children were not receiving
emerging area of research. NMDARs rate monitor, Messonnier had patients hydroxyurea, the recommended
are most abundant in the brain but are maintain a target heart rate during treatment that can improve complica-
also found in other tissues of the body, moderate-intensity exercise for 30 to tions, anemia and quality of life.
including the heart, bones, kidneys and 45 minutes three times a week for eight In addition, the representation of
blood cells. Overactivation of NMDARs weeks. “That was sufficient to improve Black Americans in the donor registry
might be involved in pain signaling. physical mobility, muscle function and is very low, so patients often rely on

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 33

Despite being a more prevalent condition, SCD
research has historically received significantly less
funding than research into other genetic diseases,
such as cystic fibrosis.

siblings or parents, which may not control of unintended pregnancy but not the case for SCD patients, who,
provide the optimal match. This isn’t can also lead to decreased blood loss as Nekhai’s research showed, might
an issue with gene therapy because it and management of menstrual-related suppress HIV-1 infection because of the
uses the body’s own cells. However, the sickle cell pain,” she says. upregulation of innate antiviral factors
cost of the new treatments put it out of Van Doren says sometimes patients driven by changes in iron metabolism,
reach for most people with SCD. might not even make the connection hypoxia and production of interferon.
Women with SCD face additional that their vaso-occlusive events are Advances in SCD research also
disparities. The U.S. has the highest related to menstruation. “It is import- provide clues for a similar disease:
rate of maternal mortality among 11 ant for providers to ask because there beta thalassemia, which is also an
high-income countries, and Black are treatment options to help alleviate inherited blood disorder that affects
women are more likely to die in these symptoms,” she says. the structure and function of red blood
pregnancy, childbirth or postpartum, cells. “The same genetic treatments
according to Layla Van Doren, MD, CONNECTIONS TO OTHER DISEASES that are effective for sickle cell disease
hematologist at Yale Cancer Center and SCD research holds the potential to are also effective for beta thalassemia.
Smilow Cancer Hospital. “Maternal benefit not only patients with the So, there is hope that we can develop
morbidity and mortality rates are disease but those with other con- a treatment for one and use it on the
even higher for pregnant persons with ditions, too. For example, research other disease,” Sharma says.
SCD,” she says. “Even with the recent suggests a potential link between
FDA approval of two gene therapy SCD and reduced susceptibility to MORE TO LEARN
products, there remain no established HIV infection—individuals with Since the groundbreaking discov-
standard of care for preventing and SCD have a lower prevalence of HIV ery in 1956 of the gene mutation
managing complications for pregnant infection compared to the general responsible for SCD, our under-
persons with SCD and no approved population, though SCD does not standing of this condition has grown
disease-modifying therapies.” offer complete protection. tremendously. Researchers have
Moreover, Van Doren points to By studying the mechanisms that made significant strides in diagnosis,
research that has shown a relation- might lead to a reduced susceptibility treatment options and overall disease
ship between vaso-occlusive events to infection, “we might find some management. However, there’s still
and menstruation. Menstrual blood interesting pathways which can much more to learn.
loss can also make SCD-related ane- actually help to protect people from “The biggest question in the field
mia worse. She is involved in a study infection,” says Sergei Nekhai, PhD, is what defines the severity of mani-
surveying SCD patients about how medicine, microbiology and pharma- festation of this disease,” Bogdanova
menstruation affects their pain events cology professor at Howard University. says. “This is a monogenic disease,
and health care utilization. Previous research indicates that but we have patients with the same
Van Doren found that while most a factor on certain immune cells, a point mutation, and some of them
women who completed the survey protein called CCR5 that HIV-1 uses are completely asymptomatic and
had menstrual-related pain and to infect these cells, is mutated on the some of them are dying early or spend
menstrual-associated sickle cell pain, immune cells in people with European life in pain. What is the difference
most were not taking hormone therapy. ancestry, which may help protect between these two groups of people?
“Contraception not only provides against HIV-1 infection. But this is That remains unclear.”

34 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

 Publish with APS and
Support Your Scientific Community
When you publish with the American Physiological Society (APS), you strengthen the
community of scientists solving major problems affecting life and health.

As a self-publishing society, APS reinvests any income completely back into the
research community we serve and the science we support.

Publish with Purpose with APS

Career
Building

Scientific
Education Meetings
The APS
Scientific
Community

Awards & Advocacy

Grants

journals.physiology.org/submit
 TRANSPORT | AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Shannon Lennon
Erica Dale Receives University of Receives University
Florida Rising Star Researcher Award of Delaware Women’s
Erica Dale, PhD, an assistant professor in the University of
Caucus Award
Florida (UF) College of Medicine’s Department of Physiology
Shannon Lennon, PhD, a professor of
and Aging, is the 2024 recipient of the UF College of Medicine
kinesiology and applied physiology at the
Rising Star Researcher Award in Basic or Translational
University of Delaware (UD), is the 2023
Sciences. Dale received the honor, which recognizes rising
recipient of the UD Women’s Caucus
researchers in their fields, for her work to help restore
Torch Award for Women’s Equality. The
breathing function in people with spinal cord injuries. She has
award’s aim is “to
been an APS member since 2007.
achieve equality and
improve the quality
of employment
for women” at the
Melinda Engevik Receives Amanda LeBlanc university. Lennon
was a founding
American Society for Appointed Interim member of the caucus, where she
Investigative Pathology Associate Dean advocated for women on issues of equity
Early-career Award for Research and inclusion and continues to do so.
She is also the first female chair of the
Melinda Engevik, PhD, an assistant profes- Amanda Jo LeBlanc, PhD, has been Institutional Review Board at UD and
sor in the Department of Regenerative appointed interim associate dean for is director of UD’s Cardiovascular
Medicine and Cell Biology at the research at the University of Louisville Nutrition Lab. Lennon has been an
Medical University of South Carolina, School of Medicine. APS member since 2001.
is the 2024 recipient of the American LeBlanc is a professor
Society for Investigative Pathology’s in the Department of
Cotran Early-career Investigator Award. Cardiothoracic and
The award recog- Thoracic Surgery. Her
nizes early-career research focuses on
investigators who how the microvascu-
direct meritorious lature changes with advancing age and
and impactful contributes to the development of cardio-
independent vascular disease. LeBlanc is a member
experimental of the Science Policy Committee and has
pathology research programs that been an APS member since 2016.
are focused on improvement of the
understanding of the conceptual basis
of disease. Engevik’s work focuses on
microbiota and the crosstalk occurring
between bacteria and the gastrointes-
tinal epithelium. She is the chair of the
Trainee Advisory Committee and has
been a member of APS since 2014.

36 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

 DATES & DEADLINES

AWARDS American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and

Comparative Physiology
*Award deadlines may be subject to change • José Antunes Rodrigues: 90 years in life and 70 years in
science: The central nervous system and the control of
Neural Control & Autonomic Regulation Section hydroelectrolytic balance (June 30, 2024)
Carl Ludwig Distinguished Lectureship (May 19) • Cardiovascular regulation during exercise: role of biological
John F. Perkins Jr. Research Career Enhancement Awards sex and consequences of aging (July 1, 2024)
(May 31) Journal of Applied Physiology (June 30, 2024)
Teaching Career Enhancement Awards (May 31) • Identifying Factors Driving Heterogeneous Responses to
Exercise Training
Respiration Section Julius H. Comroe Jr. Distinguished
Lectureship (June 30) Journal of Neurophysiology (July 31, 2024)
• Sleep Disorders
Water & Electrolyte Homeostasis Section Ernest H. Starling
Distinguished Lecture (July 1) Physiological Genomics (June 1, 2024)
• Integrative Physiology and Translational Omics of Exercise
Henry Pickering Bowditch Award Lectureship (July 14) and Physical Activity
Physiology in Perspective: The Walter B. Cannon Award • The Microbiome in Health and Disease
Lecture (July 14) • Now and Then in Physiological Genomics

Claude Bernard Distinguished Lectureship Award (July 15) Advances in Physiology Education (July 15, 2024)
• Teaching in an Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence
Endocrinology & Metabolism Section Solomon A. Berson
Distinguished Lectureship (July 31)
More details: journals.physiology.org/calls
Local Undergraduate Research Awards in Physiology
(Applications accepted on an ongoing, year-round basis)

More details: physiology.org/awards MEETINGS & EVENTS

2025 American Physiology Summit

April 24–27, 2025
Baltimore
CALLS FOR PAPERS
• Call for proposals closes: May 17
Function
Function invites submissions, including original More details: physiology.org/summit
research articles and evidence reviews, in the areas
of molecular, cellular and systems neuroscience.

American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and

WEBINARS
Liver Physiology (July 1, 2024)
• Cell and Animal Models of Gastrointestinal Disease
APS-GATORADE SPORTS INSTITUTE
• Epithelial Cell Metabolism
• The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis Gx: From Hydration Science to Technology
May 1 at 1 p.m. E.T.
American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology
(June 30, 2024)
• Vascular Contributions to Human Disease More details: physiology.org/webinars

American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular

Physiology (July 1, 2024)
• Alveolar Biology, Pulmonary Surfactant, and Beyond: A Tribute
to Dr. John Allen Clements on His 100th Birthday

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 37

NEWS FROM THE FIELD | APS UPDATES

LEADERSHIP MEET THE CHAIRS Water & Electrolyte

Homeostasis
New APS New Section Chairs (WEH) Section
Elected Meena Madhur,
Leadership Meet the five new APS section chairs.
MD, PhD

Elected Madhur Division Director,

Their terms began at the 2024 Summit. Clinical Pharmacology
and Associate Professor of Medicine,
The results of the 2024–2025 elections
Comparative Indiana University
are in. The following winners began their
& Evolutionary
terms in April at the conclusion of the Physiology APS thanks outgoing section chairs for
American Physiology Summit. Section (CEPS) their service to the Society and their
Dane A. Crossley, PhD sections between 2020 and 2023. The
PRESIDENT-ELECT Professor, Department section chairs were recognized for their
Crossley
Robert L. Hester, of Biological Sciences, contributions at a special Honors &
PhD, FAPS University of North Texas Awards Ceremony at the 2024 Summit.
Professor, Department The outgoing chairs were:
of Physiology and Environmental &  Lynn Hartzler, PhD, CEPS
Biophysics, University Exercise Physiology  David Poole, PhD, FAPS, EEP
of Mississippi (EEP) Section
Hester  Pradeep Dudeja, PhD, GIL
Medical Center Tracy Baynard,
 Kamal Rahmouni, PhD, NCAR
PhD, FAPS
COUNCILORS Associate Vice Provost,  Kathryn Sandberg, PhD, FAPS, WEH
Baynard
Patricia A. Halpin, Graduate Education,
PhD, FAPS University of Massachusetts Boston
COMMITTEES
Professor, Biology
and Biotechnology, Gastrointestinal Now Open: Committee
Department of Life & Liver (GIL)
Sciences, University Physiology Section Applications
Halpin
of New Hampshire Karen L. Edelblum, Don’t miss your chance to get involved
PhD with APS. The Society is accepting
My Helms, PhD Associate Professor, applications for committee service, with
Edelblum
Associate Professor Department of terms beginning in spring 2025. Apply
of Internal Medicine, Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based before the August 15 deadline. Members
University of Utah Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at serve a three-year term that will begin and
School of Medicine Mount Sinai end at the American Physiology Summit in
Helms April. Committee members are appointed
Neural Control by the APS Council at the recommenda-
& Autonomic tion of the Committee on Committees.
 eth A. McCormick, PhD
B Regulation (NCAR) Review the list of committee vacancies at
Professor and Section physiology.org/committees.
Chair, Microbiology Paul Marvar, PhD
and Physiological Associate Professor,
Marvar
Systems, University of Department of
McCormick
Massachusetts Chan Pharmacology and Physiology, George
Medical School Washington University School of Medicine
and Health Sciences

38 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

 PUBLIC POLICY the proposed Clinical and Systemic Sciences APS’ Integrative Physiology of Exercise
Branch be revised to include the word “phys- conference will be held November 20–22,
APS Keeps Physiology at iology.” APS learned in February that these 2024. Conference attendees are also invited
Forefront at NIH Division efforts were successful, and the final branch to a special event celebrating Noll Laboratory
title is Physiology and Clinical Sciences.   and its half century-long commitment to the
Last July, the National Institute for General field. The conference program will include
Medical Sciences at the National Institutes opportunities for researchers to present their
of Health (NIH) proposed a reorganization EXERCISE CONFERENCE original work, collaborate and network. Learn
of its Division of Pharmacology, Physiology about the latest integrative and translational
and Biological Chemistry that would have Integrative Physiology breakthroughs in areas such as:
renamed its branches and removed the of Exercise Conference  Human performance
word “physiology” from the branch titles.
While officials assured the community that
Planned for November  Insulin resistance
 Thermoregulation and aging
the research topics would not change, APS As the Noll Laboratory for Human  Resistance
members raised concerns about whether the Performance Research at Pennsylvania  Cardiovascular implications
change would limit future funding opportu- State University celebrates 50 years of  Careers in exercise physiology
nities for physiologists. Agreeing with those discovery, APS invites scientists from
concerns, then-APS President Rick Samson, around the world to State College, Abstract submissions, awards and
PhD, DSc, FAPS, authored a letter on behalf Pennsylvania, for a quadrennial confer- registration will open in June. For more
of the membership requesting the name of ence dedicated to exercise physiology. information, visit physiology.org/exercise.

SAVE THE DATE!

Integrative Physiology of Exercise Conference
November 20–22, 2024
Noll Laboratory for Human Performance Research
Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania

MAY 2024 | THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE 39

THE LAST WORD

Embracing the Journey

nisms of bone loss. This turn of events opened new
doors, and soon my laboratory was contributing to
groundbreaking discoveries linking gut health to

of a Science Career bone health and showcasing the synergies between

seemingly disparate fields.
Recognizing the impact of university and
BY LAURA R. MCCABE, PHD
federal policies on researchers, I felt compelled

T
to be part of the solution. I became active in
university governance and joined the APS Science
“The path to success is rarely a straight line; it’s Policy Committee, where I gained a deeper
more like a scribble, filled with twists and turns, understanding of the regulatory landscape and the
ups and downs, but ultimately leading to where critical role that scientific societies play in shaping
you’re meant to be.” —Unknown it. Collaborating with fellow APS members and
In the realm of scientific inquiry, engaging in additional committee work
the journey of a researcher is akin not only expanded my professional
to navigating uncharted waters. network but also provided me with
It’s a journey defined by unex- unique insights and perspectives.
pected detours and unforeseen Assuming the role of com-
challenges, yet it is these very mittee chair allowed me to
twists and turns that shape our lead initiatives, advocate
expertise and character. for important issues and
Challenges are not roadblocks represent the interests of
but opportunities for growth, our scientific community.
resilience and personal devel- Additionally, my service
opment. As I reflect on my on the Science Policy
own journey, I am reminded of Committee of the Federation
the invaluable lessons learned of American Societies for
amidst the unexpected. Experimental Biology, as an
My journey began in graduate APS liaison, further broad-
school under the guidance of ened my understanding of the
Gene Chang, MD, at the University collaborative efforts among scientific
of Chicago, where my passion for understanding societies and their functions.
the mechanisms underlying gastrointestinal (GI) The unexpected twists in my career path
physiology was ignited. The cutting-edge research continue to lead me to roles that support research
and discoveries in this field captivated me, laying through our Office of Research and Innovation at
the foundation for a lifelong dedication to science. Michigan State University. As the associate vice
However, life had other plans, and a curve- president in research regulatory support, I oversee
ball led me to Massachusetts for a postdoctoral a dedicated team of highly trained regulatory
position in bone molecular biology under the experts. Together, we collaborate to support
mentorship of Gary Stein, PhD. Despite the researchers and ensure compliance and safety in
steep learning curve and unfamiliar territory, the all research endeavors.
supportive environment (mentors and fellow The journey of a scientist is not a linear path but
trainees) fostered an enriching experience that a mosaic of experiences, each contributing to per-
expanded my horizons. sonal and professional growth. Embrace the twists
After securing a tenured faculty position at and turns, for they are opportunities for discovery
Illustration by Brett Affrunti

Michigan State University, focused on teach- and meaningful contribution to the greater good.
ing GI physiology and researching molecular
Laura R. McCabe, PhD, is associate vice president in the Office
mechanisms of GI adaptation, I encountered an of Research and Innovation at Michigan State University, where
unexpected opportunity. I found myself receiving she oversees research regulatory support. She is also MSU
funding for research projects examining mecha- Foundation Professor in the Department of Physiology.

40 THE PHYSIOLOGIST MAGAZINE | MAY 2024

 APS Members May Now
Affiliate with More Sections

You may now opt in and affiliate with as many

sections or interest groups as you wish.

You will still select your primary section affiliation

where you can vote and hold office. There are
no limits on the affiliatons you choose.

Update your profile today:

physiology.org/profile
Amplify the message. Advocate for science.
Raise your voice in support of scientific research with just
a few clicks. Sign up to receive APS Action Alerts, and
hear about strategic opportunities for members like you
to speak out collectively on the issues that matter most to
physiologists and the broader scientific community.

physiology.org/advocacy