The Physiology Group at UC Merced encompasses a small group of biologists with diverse expertise that broadly defines Physiology. This group has strengths in inflammation and redox biology as well as receptor signaling mechanisms as they relate to the understanding of the development of many pathologies or inappropriately regulated systems. Among the emphases this group studies include cardio-renal and liver diseases, and metabolic and neural disorders. The principal researchers within this group include: Drs. David Ardell, Rudy Ortiz, Nestor Oviedo, and Fred Wolf.
If you are interested in pursuing Ph.D. or M.S. in Physiology research at UC Merced, please contact us. We are currently accepting graduate students through the QSB Graduate Program.
Dr. Rudy M. Ortiz
Metabolism in response to natural or dietary interventions including fasting and in metabolic diseases like diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Email: rortiz@ucmerced.edu
Dr. Nestor Oviedo
Our group investigates fundamental mechanisms of stem cell regulation to gain insights into tissue repair, host-pathogen interactions, and malignant cell transformation.
Email: noviedo2@ucmerced.edu
Dr. Fred Wolf
Molecular and neural circuit mechanisms for simple behavioral actions: alcohol plasticity for addiction, thirst motivation. Drosophila genetics and behavior.
Email: fwolf@ucmerced.edu
Memberships to Professional Societies within the group:
American Association for Study of Liver Disease, American Heart Association, American Physiological Society, Genetics Society of America, Research Society for Alcoholism, Sigma Xi, Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science, Society for Experimental Biology & Medicine, Society for Free Radical Biology & Medicine, and Society for Neuroscience.
