APS Publications Podcast

Who will teach physiology? The growing shortage of physiology generalists

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, Prof. Wehrwein discusses their recently published article, “Who Will Teach Physiology? The Growing Shortage of Physiology Generalists.” As systems-level physiology training declines and specialization increases, institutions face a growing shortage of qualified physiology educators. Listen as Prof. Wehrwein examines the causes of this workforce gap and calls for renewed efforts to strengthen integrative physiology education and support the next generation of health professions training.

Who will teach physiology? The growing shortage of physiology generalists

Erica A. Wehrwein

Advances in Physiology Education 2026 50:2, 361-362 10.1152/advan.00321.2025

Sources of stress and coping strategies employed by undergraduate students over a semester: motivations and implications for academic success

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, coauthors discuss their recently published article, "Sources of Stress and Coping Strategies Employed by Undergraduate Students Over a Semester: Motivations and Implications for Academic Success."

How do first-year university students cope with the pressures of academic life? Drawing on research with undergraduate students, this conversation explores the sources of stress students face, how their coping strategies evolve throughout a semester, and the motivations behind their choices. The authors discuss why a diverse range of coping approaches—from time management and study skills to exercise, meditation, and work–life balance—can support both academic success and student well-being. Tune in for practical insights into helping students thrive inside and outside the classroom.

Sources of stress and coping strategies employed by undergraduate students over a semester: motivations and implications for academic success

E.S. Louise Faber, Jemma Campbell, and Laura Carniel

Advances in Physiology Education 2026 50:2, 341-351 10.1152/advan.00292.2025

Making immunology memorable: resilience-inspired pitch stories to launch lectures

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, Prof. Laura Machín-Galarza discusses her recently published article, “Making Immunology Memorable: Resilience-Inspired Pitch Stories to Launch Lectures.” Learn how creative, resilience-based storytelling can make complex immunology concepts more engaging, memorable, and effective for students.

Making immunology memorable: resilience-inspired pitch stories to launch lectures

Laura Machin-Galarza

Advances in Physiology Education 2026 50:2, 338-340 10.1152/advan.00274.2025

Antioxidant Genes in Tissues Linked to DCS Resistance

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, Dr. Emmanuel Dugrenot discusses his group’s Research Article, “Changes in liver and lung antioxidant and mitochondrial biogenesis gene expression in decompression sickness resistant rats.” This study analyzed genes related to antioxidant defense and mitochondrial biogenesis in the lungs and liver of rats bred for resistance to decompression sickness (DCS). In resistant rats, no change was observed in lung gene expression, whereas both gene groups were downregulated in the liver (P < 0.0083, Bonferroni correction), except Pgc1α. These findings, along with previous ones, suggest that hepatic mitochondrial function and reduced reactive oxygen species production may contribute to DCS resistance.

 

Dugrenot E, Orsat J, Gouin E, Guerrero F, Guernec A. Changes in liver and lung antioxidant and mitochondrial biogenesis gene expression in decompression sickness resistant rats. Physiol Genomics. 2026 Jun 1;58(6):243-251. doi: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00218.2025. Epub 2026 Apr 23. PMID: 42024651.

Implementing a guided VR for neuroanatomy in neurology residency: acceptability and practical considerations

In this episode of the APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, coauthors Derek Bass, Ayush Gupta, and Daniela Terson de Paleville explore their innovative study using guided virtual reality to bring complex anatomy to life. From engaging, immersive learning to real-world IT hurdles, they share what works—and what's next.

Implementing a guided VR for neuroanatomy in neurology residency: acceptability and practical considerations

Derek Bass, Ayush Gupta, Laura Weingartner, and Daniela Terson de Paleville

Advances in Physiology Education 2026 50:1, 314-322 10.1152/advan.00019.2025

Enhancing engagement and confidence in male reproductive physiology through an escape room activity

In this episode of The APS Publications Podcast, featuring Advances in Physiology Education, coauthors Michael Leung and Dasuni Alwis discuss their recently published article, “Enhancing Engagement and Confidence in Male Reproductive Physiology Through an Escape Room Activity.” They explore an innovative response to declining classroom engagement in higher education, highlighting a flipped learning escape room workshop developed at Monash University. Centered on diagnosing the infertility of a fictional medieval king, the activity demonstrates how immersive, gamified approaches can drive high engagement and significantly improve student confidence across all levels of preparedness.

Enhancing engagement and confidence in male reproductive physiology through an escape room activity

Michael C. M. Leung, Claire Huang, Joanne Caldwell Odgers, Dasuni Alwis, and Craig A. Harrison

Advances in Physiology Education 2026 50:2, 384-391 10.1152/advan.00166.2025

Interorgan Insights: GLP-2R, a master integrator of gut-brain-liver communication

In this podcast, coauthors Mingdao Mu, Yunuo Jiang, Guo Han, and Zixu Zhang discuss their recently published review, ‘Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 Receptor: A Master Integrator of Gut-Brain-Liver Communication in Metabolic and Cognitive Health'. The review highlights GLP-2R as a systematic hub for metabolic and cognitive health, and a critical player in gut-brain-liver communication. Authors also discuss pharmacological innovations and highlight gaps in the current knowledge. 

Glucagon-Like Peptide-2 Receptor: A Master Integrator of Gut-Brain-Liver Communication in Metabolic and Cognitive Health

Yunuo Jiang, Guo Han, Zixu Zhang, Shengru Hu, Mingdao Mu

Comprehensive Physiology 2026 16:2, e70144 

https://doi.org/10.1002/cph4.70144

Interorgan Insights: Sprouting and splitting - rethinking angiogenesis in biomaterials

In this podcast, author Kuihua Zhan discusses the recently published article, ‘Vascularization Is Driven by Sprouting and Subsequent Splitting: Mechanisms of Physiological Angiogenesis in a Porous Biomaterial Scaffold and Intervention Insights’. The article describes engineering interventions to support the physiological vascularization of large-scale tissue scaffolds. 

Vascularization Is Driven by Sprouting and Subsequent Splitting: Mechanisms of Physiological Angiogenesis in a Porous Biomaterial Scaffold and Intervention Insights

Kuihua Zhan, Lun Bai

Comprehensive Physiology 2026 16:3, e70170

https://doi.org/10.1002/cph4.70170