Scientific Research
Scientific Research
The department has various labs dedicated to undergraduate and postgraduate research. For male and female students’ respective campuses, the department has 2 student labs and 4 research labs for the major research interests of Physiology:
- Special techniques lab.
- Biomarkers lab.
- Human research lab.
- Molecular and stem cells lab.
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Cardiovascular research in the department aims to understand the function of molecules, cells and organ systems comprising the cardiovascular system in both health and disease.
- Blood and Coagulation
The Special Coagulation Laboratory is one of our foremost resources for special coagulation studies. State-of-the-art tests performed here with enhanced diagnostic capabilities for congenital and acquired bleeding disorders, hyper coagulable evaluations, platelet disorders, and autoimmune coagulation disorders.
- Gastrointestinal Physiology
The aim of the Gastrointestinal Physiology Laboratory is to further understand the regulation of gastrointestinal motility in both health and in disease. The laboratories collaborate on projects with a shared interest in gastrointestinal smooth muscle cells, interstitial cells of Cajal, and enteric nerves.
- Neurophysiology
The Neurophysiology Laboratory in the department offers patients complete diagnostic testing for neurological conditions. This specialty laboratory is staffed by skilled technicians who use state-of-the-art equipment to perform the following tests:
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)
- Electroencephalography (EEG)
- Electromyography (EMG)
- Sleep-Deprived Electroencephalography
- Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEP)
- Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP)
- Nerve and Muscle Physiology
Human movement is dependent on the neural strategy in activating skeletal muscles that have variable mechanical properties. Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory identifies the neural and mechanical mechanisms underlying motor skills.
- Respiratory Physiology
The Department of Physiology (PFT Laboratory) is equipped with computerized complete pulmonary functions tests machine for spirometry, lung volume and diffusion tests, portable spirometer, respirometer, nebulizers etc. The lab is helpful to various investigators studying the various aspects of respiratory physiology and their clinical implication. It also provides invaluable support to the clinical side.
- Exercise Physiology
Exercise Physiology Laboratory is a state-of-the-art, multifunctional exercise physiology facility, in which students perform research and practice techniques related to their coursework. The Exercise Physiology Laboratory conducts research focusing on the role of exercise in chronic disease risk factor reduction. Specifically, the Lab is interested in risk factors for cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and childhood obesity.
Facilities and Equipment:
• Treadmills
• Metabolic carts
• Cycle ergometers
• Heart rate monitors
• Electrocardiographs
• Biopac
• Centrifuge
• Body composition analyser
Research interests
- For undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in research with a physiology faculty, you may contact the faculty directly using the contact information posted as you may also refer to their CVs and/or courses taught or organized.
- Male student and research labs are available in king khalid university hospital for students’ direct access upon contact with the department. Female student and research labs are available in the female campus.
Research interest
Dr Abdulrahman Mohammed Alhowikan
Associate Professor in the king Saud University college Medicine Department of physiology and involved in teaching , peer observation and teaching consulting
His research interested; exercise performance, Exercise physiology; (blood biomarker monitoring) exercise is Medicine & Rehabilitation, utilize of exercise as medicine for Autism subject and he is a member of Autism research centre
Dr.Mohammed Alotaibi:
Actively Involved in research in the fields of Reproductive physiology and cell signaling.
Prof. Syed Shahid Habib:
Professor of Physiology & Consultant Clinical Neurophysiology in King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia.
- His main research contributions have been to study
- Neurocognitive functions,
- Cardiovascular risk markers in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Body composition and Sarcopenia
- Insulin resistance and Dyslipidemia
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Heart rate variability
- Neurocognitive functions
- Adipokines in different metabolic diseases.
- He has published more than 110 research papers in international peer reviewed journals and has received many research grants from King Abdulaziz city for Science & Technology (KACST) and Deanship of Scientific Research.
Professor. Sultan Ayub Meo:
Actively involved in research and postgraduate advising focusing on the fields of environmental pollution, diabetes, and medical education.
Dr. Salah Elmalik:
Research interest is in the fields of clinical neurophysiology.
Dr. Hana Al-Zamil:
head of female physiology staff (vice chair). Dr. Hana Al-Zamil is actively involved in various research groups in different fields; especially those focusing on reproductive and endocrine physiology. As example of such research groups is the Poly cystic ovary syndrome group highlighting all aspects of the syndrome. Moreover, Dr. Hana Al-Zamil is involved in various research collaborations with different departments and clinical/research units such as the IVF unit at the Ob & Gyn; and also with dermatology and psychiatry departments. Please refer to Dr. Hana Al-Zamil CV for more details.
Dr. Abeer Al-Masri:
Dr. Abeer Al-Masri serves in different administrative roles supporting medical reseaech as she is the Vice dean of Scientific research Deanship at the female campus and Director of undergraduate students Research program. For the other administrative roles Dr. Abeer is currently holding or has served in, please refer to CV. Dr. Abeer Al-Masri is also actively involved in various research groups along with supervising postgraduate students. Research interests include cardiovascular physiology. Kindly refer to CV for more details in regards to research interests and publications as well as administrative roles.
Dr. Layla Al-Dokhi:
Dr. Layla al-Dokhi is actively involved in research in physiology especially focusing on endocrine physiology: type2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and adipocytokines as well as their relationship to body mass index and obesity. For more details, kindly refer to CV.
Dr. Fawzia Al-Rouq:
Dr. Fawzia Al-Rouq is actively involved in research in physiology supporting student research unit; research interests are in the fields of clinical neuro-physiology and neuro-disorders. For more details, kindly refer to CV.
Prof. Mona Soliman:
The Head of the Masters and PhD Research Unit at Vice Deanship of the College of Medicine for Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research, Faculty of Medicine.Head of medical education with active research interest in medical education in addition to physiology/cardiophysiology. Please prefer to CV for more details.
- Prof. Layla Ayadhi: Professor and Consultant of neurophysiology. Head of Autism Research and Treatment Center
- Area of interest: Prof. Layla Al-Ayadhi is very active in research regarding neurophysiology pathologies focusing on autism research. For more details, please refer to the CV.
- Prof. Hanan Hajar: Professor of Pharmacology, College od medicine, King Saud University. Head of Pharmacology Unit Branch at the female campus of King Saud University. Professor Hanan Hajar is active in research and current running the following research groups:
- Research group No (1439-017) entitled Modulation of xenobiotics-induced organ damage using nutraceuticals in experimental animal models: Role of oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammatory markers, apoptotic signaling pathways and DNA damage. Four papers have been published
- Research Group No (1441-467) entitled Mitigation of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis induced by some toxicants in animal models using different antioxidants. Two papers have been published.
- Research interest cover reactive oxygen metabolites, oxidative stress, nitrogen stress and inflammation in organ damage.; methods to mitigate such damage and doing so using different animal models. In addition to investigating side effects of immunosuppressants mediation and their effects on cellular functions and tissue integrity. Currently ongoing work is in the field of Oxygen oxidation and nitrogen induced stress as well as inflammatory markers in links to apoptotic signaling pathways and DNA damage.
- For more details regarding Prof. Hanan Hajar research activities as well as teaching and administrative roles, please refer to the posted CV.
Prof. Faten Zakaria:
Neurophysiology and endocrinology
- Area of interest:
- Professor Faten Zakaria is highly active in researching focusing on :
- *Diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, and vasculopathy
- *nerve entrapment electrophysiology
- In addition to research interests in Electrophysiologicalstudies as NCS-EMG-VEP-ERG-ABR
- *PFT in health and disease. Kindly refer to the CV for more details.
Dr. Manan Alhakbany:
Actively involved in research pertaining to Exercise physiology and Endocrine physiology. Please refer to Dr. Manan CV and list of publications for more information regarding research field and activities.
Dr. Aida Abdelhamid Korish:
specialty in Renal and endocrine Physiology. Dr. Aida Korish is very active in research with the following research interests: Oxidative stress, Antioxidants, Chronic kidney problems, Diabetes mellitus, and Liver diseases; and is part of the research group: Clinical applications of camel milk in the treatment of chronic health problems. Kindly refer to Dr. Aida Abdelhamid Korish CV for more details.
Dr. Hayam Gad:
Specialty in human physiology: Gastrointestinal system, Cardiovascular System and Endocrine system. Dr. Hayam Gad is very actively involved in research with the following research interests: 1- Studying the mechanisms, and possible prophylactic and therapeutic interventions in cases of pre-eclammpsia. 2- Studying the changes in blood biomarkers during menopause and its implications on cardiovascular structure and function. 3- Studying the therapeutic and prophylactic treatments of diabetic nephropathy. 4- Making a model of osteoporosis in rats and studying the hemostatic imbalance and its treatment. 5- Studying therapeutic and prophylactic treatments of menopause. 6- Making a model of castrated and ovariectomized rats. Dr. Hayam Gad is currently running the following research group:
- Research Group No (PIR-1-19-05) entitled “Study of the psychological, social and physiological changes that might be associated with problematic uses of smartphones).
- For more details regarding Dr. Hayam Gad research activities as well as teaching and administrative roles, please refer to the posted CV.
Dr. Maha Saja:
interested in immunology research especially autoimmunity. Please refer to Dr. Maha Saja CV for more details.
Dr. Abeer Al-Ghumlas:
is actively involved in Haematology research focusing on:
- Coagulation
- Platelet function
- Camel hemostatic physiology
- Please refer to Dr. Abeer al-Ghumlas for more information.
Dr. Nervana M. Bayoumy:
Active in hematology research focusing on Genetic disorders and coagulation. Kindly refer to Dr. Nervana Bayoumy CV for more details in regards to research activities and administrative roles.
Dr. Felwah Al-Zaid:
Interested in studying sex differences and the role of sex hormones in neurological disorders including autism and Parkinson’s disease, giving a focus on disease mechanism and exploring potential neuroprotective agents and neuromodulation.
- Master degree research involved studying the role of certain hormones in the pathophysiology of autism.
- PhD degree research involved studying the role of certain transcription factor in sex differences in Parkinson’s disease using postmortem brain tissues, whereby a novel mechanism explaining the sex difference in incidence of Parkinson’s disease was identified and translation of the results into a novel neuroprotective agent was achieved by applying the postmortem human studies on cell culture model for Parkinson’s disease. Please refer to the CV for more information.
Dr. Maha Alenazy:
Interested in immuno-physiology/autoimmunity, endocrine and vascular physiology. Immune research focuses on immune diseases and infections as well examining innovative treatment methods for immune disorders and cancer therapy. Also, serving as vice president of the alumni unit at the college of medicine at KSU.
- Master degree research examined early diabetic nephropathy (type 1) focusing on innovative intervention to reverse vascular nephropathy manifestations.
- PhD degree research examined new treatment methods for allergic and immune disorders (e.g. asthma and rheumatoid arthritis) while introducing a comprehensive immune profile presenting both effector and regulatory cells in these conditions pre and post the biologic Abatacept treatment. Dr. Maha Alenazy is actively involved in research groups such as Poly cystic ovary syndrome group highlighting all aspects of the syndrome; in addition to lupus and cardio pathologies from an immunological perspective. Kindly refer to CV for more information.
Dr. Asma Al-Yahya:
research interest in cardiovascular physiology. Actively involved in research groups pertaining to cardiac pathologies; and is currently part of the atherosclerosis and myocardial perfusion as well as lupus cardiopathologies research group for more details on research production and interest, kindly refer to CV.
Dr. Aliah R. Alshanwani.
Pharmacology with research interests including Cardiovascular research, Vascular smooth muscle cells, phenotypic changes & microRNAs. Dr. Aliah Alshanwani is active in research and part of the following research group: Mitigation of oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis induced by some toxicants in animal models using different antioxidants. More details are in CV.
Dr. Norah Algarzae:
Dr. Norah is actively involved in research with the following research interests: physiology and biophysics, neuroscience, neurodegenerative disease, inflammation, and developmental neuroscience. Kindly refer for CV for more details.
Dr. Ola Helmi Mawlana:
Registrar with specialty in clinical Pathology and actively involved in Molecular Biology research. Kindly refer to CV fore more information.
