SCHOOL OF NURSING & HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
www.gonzaga.edu/human-physiology THE PROGRAM
THE PASSION
STUDENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
Human physiology is the science of the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of humans: their organ systems, organs, and the cells of which they are composed. The basic, foundational principle for the study of human physiology is the maintenance of homeostasis through the operation of complex control systems. These systems encompass all levels of the hierarchy of human structure and function (i.e. cells, tissues, organs, organs systems, and the organism). Each course in our curriculum emphasizes an integrated study of humans across this hierarchy of structure and function. Consequently, a reductionist approach that separates the curriculum into specific courses such as “molecular physiology,” “cell physiology,” “histology,” or “organ physiology,” has been purposely avoided. Topics covered across the curriculum include: • General Physiological Concepts : body organization, homeostasis, control systems, biochemistry, cell structure, cell function, histology, metabolism, membranes, and cellular communication.
The mission of Gonzaga’s Department of Human Physiology is to develop ethical, critical thinkers and scientists who recognize the essential role of human creativity, intelligence, and initiative necessary to be a responsible member of scientific and clinical professions. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Human Physiology requires students to develop significant content knowledge, analytical thinking skills, knowledge of scientific principles and research, and an ability to communicate their knowledge to others. These capacities prepare students for graduate study in disciplines and professions grounded in the study of human anatomy and physiology.
As a part of independent studies and/or requirements for upper-division courses, our majors complete research projects, some of which are accepted for publication and/or presentation at regional and national scientific meetings. The following are examples of student/faculty research that have been accepted for presentation or publication in recent years:
• Systems Physiology : neurophysiology, muscular physiology, cardiovascular physiology, respiratory physiology, renal physiology, fluid and acid-base physiology, digestive physiology, endocrinology, immunology, and reproductive physiology. • Integrative Physiology : exercise physiology, environmental physiology, physiology of aging, biomechanics, and nutrition.
The B.S. in Human Physiology, along with selected electives from other departments across the University, provides students with preparation for graduate or professional study in a variety of fields, including health professions (physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician’s assistant, cardiac rehabilitation, public health, dentistry, chiropractic, medicine, etc.), research, and teaching. The program uniquely emphasizes the scientific basis and mechanisms of human function, adaptation, development and aging, health and disease, and performance.
Dixon M, Wong R, Csicsery K, Popich A, Klassen D, Mehndiratta V, and Higginson BK. The effects of aerobic fatigue on joint kinematics and torque production in cyclists. 2013 American College of Sports Medicine-Northwest Chapter (ACSM-NW) Annual Conference – poster presentation. Gieser VR, Droessler JT, Dixon MJ, Wong RL, and Thorp DB. Effect of temporal deception on power output during a 30-sec Wingate test. 2013 ACSM-NW Annual Conference – poster presentation. Klassen D, Mills K, Eliason S, Csicsery K, Popich A, and McCann DJ. Performance and physiological response to partnered exercise in females. 2013 ACSM-NW Annual Conference – poster presentation. Mills KL, Kollar VC, Eliason SL, Thomas EC, Sheahan SR, and Higginson BK. Effect of visual impairment and anterior loads on obstacle clearance. 2013 ACSM-NW Annual Conference – poster presentation. Nadeau JT, Droessler JT, Eastwood MC, Whitlock CL, Gieser VR, and Higginson BK. Lower extremity kinematics and muscle activation changes during ankle and hip gait adaptation strategies. 2013 ACSM-NW Annual Conference – poster presentation.
Sheahan SR , Brownlee AJ, Thomas EC, Kollar VC, and McCann DJ. Effect of core temperature change on the VO2 response to submaximal interval exercise. ACSM-Northwest Annual Conference - poster presentation. Whitlock CL, Nadeau JT, Eastwood MC, Mehndiratta VK, and Thorp DB. Effects of cycling warm up versus static stretching involving cycling specific muscles on Wingate performance. 2013 ACSM-NW Annual Conference – poster presentation. Undergraduate Research Award. Higginson BK, Mills KL, and Heil DP. Utility of inertial sensors for determination of skate ski technique. 2012 International Congress on Science and Nordic Skiing (ICSNS) conference (Viokatti, Finland) - poster presentation. Higginson BK, Mills KL, and Heil, DP. Validation of inertial sensors for use in poling event-detection while treadmill skiing. 2012 ICSNS conference (Viokatti, Finland) – oral presentation. Brownlee A, Conway M, Gosselin M, Mehndiratta R, Nelson R, Patton C, and Higginson BK. Short-term, fixed load carriage does not affect mediolateral dynamic stability during gait initiation. 2012 ACSM-NW Annual Conference - poster presentation. Fallon SB, Belcoe AS, May AD, Monteverde CM, Shawcross CE, and McCann DJ. Effect of acute hypoxia on Wingate performance of trained female athletes. 2012 ACSM-NW Annual Conference - oral presentation. Higgins MD, Stanley ME, Doty, Biggs KM, Frederick P, Sorenson T, and Thorp DB. Effect of visual and auditory sensory deprivation on heart rate and perceived exertion during exercise. 2012 ACSM-NW Annual Conference - poster presentation. Mehndiratta R, Love N, Schulte S, Kirven I, Ellis B, and McCann DJ. Effects of a carbohydrate beverage on high intensity, short duration repeated exercise. 2012 ACSM-NW Annual Conference - poster presentation.
Nelson N, Gosselin M, Haas M, Ruminski B, Volcheff L, and Thorp DB. Gross efficiency during arm cycle ergometry in active wheelchair users versus non-users. 2012 ACSM-NW Annual Conference - poster presentation. Patton C, Misslin R, Conway M, Brown L, Hunter L, McNurlin S, and Thorp DB. Watching television during submaximal exercise has no impact on self-selected intensity or rating of perceived exertion. 2012 ACSM-NW Annual Conference - poster presentation. Shawcross CE, Misslin RA, Higgins MD, Stanley ME, Love NT, Fallon SB, and Higginson BK. Effect of minimalistic footwear on lower leg muscle activation while running. 2012 ACSM-NW Annual Conference - poster presentation. Bejar MP, Johnson EM, Kluever AM, Payne KM, Robinson CK, Smith AJ, Wenger WL, and McCann DJ. The effect of shod and barefoot conditions on running economy in trained females. 2010 ACSM-NW Annual Conference - poster presentation. Geithner CA, McKenney DR. Strategies for aging well. Strength and Conditioning Journal. (2010). 32:36-52. Geithner CA, Albert JF, McKenney DR. Work-life imbalance, stress, and individual and organizational intervention strategies. Annual Review of High Performance Coaching and Consulting. (2009). 97-130.
THE POTENTIAL Most Gonzaga students that have graduated from our program pursue graduate study and/or professional training. Our students have applied and been accepted to the following programs and institutions. Alternative/Naturopathic Medicine Bastyr University Western Washington University Biomedical Sciences Creighton University
Biomechanics University of Alberta, Calgary University of Oregon University of Western Australia Cardiac Rehabilitation University of Oregon Chiropractic Medicine Life Chiropractic College West Palmer College of Chiropractic Dentistry Oregon Health & Science University University of British Columbia Exercise Science/Physiology Baylor University Boise State University Central Washington University Marywood University Montana State University Northeastern University San Diego State University University of California, Davis University of Northern Colorado University of Oregon University of Vermont Western Washington University Medicine Creighton University Medical College of Wisconsin Oregon Health & Science University
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine Tulane University University of Southern California Wake Forest University Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific University of Nevada, Reno University of Washington Nuclear Medicine Swedish Hospital (Seattle) Nursing Gonzaga University Linfield College Seattle University University of Colorado, Denver University of Utah Occupational Therapy Colorado State University Creighton University Eastern Washington University Idaho State University Samuel Merritt University University of Puget Sound University of Southern California Washington University in St. Louis Optometry Pacific University Indiana University Ferris State University
Physical Therapy Chapman University Columbia University Creighton University Duke University Eastern Washington University Emory University Massachusetts General Hospital, Institute of Health Professions Northern Arizona University Northwestern University Pacific University Regis University Samuel Merritt University The College of St. Catherine University of Colorado University of Montana University of Pittsburgh University of Puget Sound University of Saint Augustine University of Southern California University of Washington Washington University in St. Louis Wheeling Jesuit University Physician’s Assistant Emory University Midwestern University (Phoenix) University of New Mexico Public Health George Washington University Oregon State University University of Washington
THE PEOPLE
Publications in peer-reviewed journals: American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine (2011), ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal (2011, 2010, 2007), Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research (2010, 2006), Assessment Update (2010), Annual Review of High Performance Coaching and Consulting (2009), International Journal of Environmental, Cultural, Economic, and Social Sustainability (2006), Italian Journal of Sports Sciences (2005), Anthropologiai Közlemények (2004), Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (2004), Portuguese Journal of Sport Sciences (2003), Acta Kinesiologiae Universitatis Tartuensis (2002), American Journal of Human Biology (1999), Annals of Human Biology (1998), International Journal of Sports Medicine (1997). Book chapters: Growth and Maturation in Human Biology and Sports (2013), Advances in Strength and Conditioning Research (2009), ACSM’s Health/Fitness Specialist®, RYT-200®, and Certified Presence-Based® Coach. Brian K. Higginson | Ph.D., Oregon State University | Associate Professor | Research interests: Biomechanics, ergonomics and energetics of load carriage, kinematic and muscle adaptation during prolonged exercise (cross-country skiing and cycling), and physiological and biomechanical determinants of shooting performance in competitive shooters. | ACSM-NW Treasurer. | higginson@gonzaga.edu Publications in peer-reviewed journals: Current Sports Medicine Reports (2009, 2008), Journal of Experimental Biology (2007), Journal of Applied Physiology (2005), European Journal of Applied Physiology (2004, 2001), Sport Biomechanics (2004), Journal of Exercise Physiology (2003). Other peer-reviewed publications: Proceedings of the ACSM-NW Annual Conference (2013), Congress Proceedings of the 2nd International Congress on Science and Nordic Skiing (2012). Daniel J. McCann | Ph.D., University of California, Davis | Professor | Research interests: Metabolism, exercise physiology, dimensional analysis, and environmental physiology | mccann@gonzaga.edu Publications in peer-reviewed journals: Current Sports Medicine Reports (2008), International Journal of Sports Medicine (2004), Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise (2003, 2002, 1997, 1995), Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation (2001). Other peer-reviewed publications: Proceedings of the ACSM-Northwest Annual Conference (2013, 2012, 2010, 2008). David Thorp | Ph.D., University of Western Ontario | Dept. Chair, Associate Professor | Research interests: The role of exercise training in intracellular signaling and improvement of myocardial tolerance to ischemia | thorp@gonzaga.edu Publications in peer-reviewed journals: Journal of Sport Science and Medicine (2012), Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology (2011), Cell Stress Chaperones (2009), American Journal of Physiology: Heart and Circulatory Physiology (2007, 2006), American Journal of Physiology: Integrative and Comparative Physiology (2007), Journal of Molecular Cardiology (2004), Experimental Physiology (2001). Other peer-reviewed publications: Proceedings of the ACSM-Northwest Annual Conference (2013, 2012), Applied Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism (2010, 2006), Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (2005, 2003 (2), 2000), Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (2003, 2000, 1999), Proceedings of the Cell Stress Society International Congress (2003 (2)), Proceedings of the Canadian Federation of Biological Sciences (2002 (2)), Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology (2000). Stephen B. Conant | M.S., Montana State University, Bozeman | Lab Specialist and Instructor: Human Anatomy & Physiology I & II Labs, and Practice in Laboratory Teaching. | Academic Interests: Advanced technology as a mechanism for community building and collaboration in public health policy and public health research. | ACSM - Northwest Chapter President-Elect, ACSM National Health and Science Policy Committee - Northwest Chapter Representative, ACSM-certified Health/Fitness Specialist®, National Strength & Conditioning Association-Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. | conant@gonzaga.edu
SCHOOL OF NURSING & HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
Christina A. Geithner | Ph.D., University of Texas, Austin | Professor | ACSM-Certified Health Fitness Specialist®, Registered Yoga Instructor (RYT-200). | Research interests: Physical and physiological changes across the lifespan, barriers to and motivators for physical activity, and performance prediction and talent identification in sport. | geithner@gonzaga.edu