The Physiology Monthly

Synapse

May 2022

Hello fellow Physiology majors!

The Physiology Ambassadors welcome you to 

the Physiology Monthly Synapse:

a newsletter that seeks to help you better connect with your

major!

If you want to get in contact with us, email us

at psioambassadors@gmail.com!

Table of Contents

1. Physiology GroupMe

2. May Calendar

3. Survival Guide: How to Make the Most Out of Your Summer?

4. Additional Medical School Advice: Shadowing

5. PSIO Student Spotlight Interview: Jason Albana

6. Events

2022 Surgery Research Symposium 

2022 Child Health Symposium
7th Annual Rural Women's Health Symposium

7. PSIO/Pre-Health Clubs
8. Physiology Elective: PSIO 469 - Human Reproductive Physiology

9. Opportunities
 NEW! Jobs, Shadowing, Internships, and More
Brighton and Sussex Virtual Work Experience
HEAL Clinical Education Summer Internship
Entrepreneurship for Biomedicine (E4B)
iCreate Youth Summer Research Mentorship Program

10. Pre-Med Jobs and How to Get Them

11. PSIO Career: Art Therapist 

12. PSIO Fun Fact

13. PSIO Cartoon

Physiology GroupMe

Don't forget to join the GroupMe chats! it's a great way to connect with other PSIO majors, see
different ways you can utilize opportunities unique to our major, ask for advice, and keep up to
date with deadlines and events. Click the link or scan the QR codes to join!

PSIO Majors Graduates GroupMe:

https://groupme.com/join_group/67868191/AvRKv4mk

PSIO Major Class of 2025 GroupMe: 

https://groupme.com/join_group/67868059/DmEDrAzc   

PSIO Majors GroupMe: 

https://groupme.com/join_group/60435695/LhIlOYa6

PSIO Majors Class of 2024 GroupMe: 

https://groupme.com/join_group/60435768/lSFREmRv

 Survival Guide

How to: Make the Most Out of Your Summer?

To not feel behind throughout your college experience consider doing one or two things from the
list below to ensure that you do not fall behind on experiences/classes:

Consider taking a Summer class - A Summer class allows you to focus on one specific
class without having to balance the work for several other classes. If there is a class that
you know will take a lot of time during the Fall/Spring semester, consider taking it during
the Summer.

Get certified early on - If you are planning to get clinical experience later on in your
college career, many clinical jobs requires certification. So, starting the process early on
will save you time when applying.

Volunteer/Research - To obtain these experiences, it takes a long time to find a research

mentor/volunteer experience. Reach out early on to multiple things that interest you. Do
not be discouraged by rejection because sometimes it is inevitable, so keep trying.

Start thinking about standardized exams - If you are thinking about applying to

graduate or professional school, look at the deadlines and note down the important dates.
Look at the timeline for standardized exams. Reflect on your experiences or maybe start
thinking about your personal statement.

Remember to take time off - Being on top of things is a good idea, but taking time for
🌞🌻
yourself is still essential to keep going forward. Remember, after all, it is Summer. 
🌊

Planning on Applying to Medical

School?
 Shadowing

Vacation? What's that?

As you are preparing for finals and heading into summer break, consider using this time to
shadow a physician in your community!

Shadowing a doctor is a great way to find out if a career in medicine might be right for you. It will
give you a better understanding of what a doctor's typical day is like, and give you good
experience to talk about in your applications and interviews for medical school. 

Shadowing is a KEY part of your application but has been difficult to complete in the past two
years. It entails following a doctor as they engages with their daily duties. You can observe how
the doctor interacts with patients, performs procedures, converses with their coworkers, and
even how they spend their lunchtime. It is also allows you to observe the physician-patient
interaction. For example, you may see how physicians deliver bad news or deal with difficult
patients. 

Here are some tips for when you’re asking to shadow a physician.

Keep it professional! It's a crazy time in the medical field. A lot of physicians are very busy
right now. If a response doesn’t come as quickly as you would prefer or you get a canned
response. This seems like common sense, but I’ve seen some correspondences that are
a little surprising in the tone

Get to the point and be as brief as possible. In respecting your email recipient’s time, be
concise and direct. Take out as much fluff as possible. If you have a question, make sure
that’s clear without sharing your life story, but just include enough details to get an
adequate response.

Be specific. I know I just said to be brief, but give your reader enough information to know
their relationship to you and why you want to shadow them.

Remember, they are doing you a favor by allowing them to shadow you! Remember to be
professional, polite and courteous.

PSIO Student Spotlight 

 ~Jasen Albana ~
Nominated because Jasen is the most hardworking and dedicated individual I
know. He strives to mentor all those coming into the PSIO field!

Year and Major/Minor: Senior majoring in physiology and minoring in Arabic

 

Favorite thing about PSIO: I have always enjoyed physiology dating back

to my first exposure in high school. I would say my favorite thing about physiology is being
able to learn from faculty that are genuinely passionate about what they are teaching.
Every physiology professor I have had has been outstanding and made the content we
learned easier to digest.

Future Goals: I am looking to attend medical school after graduation. I am trying to

keep an open mind about a specialty. However, I am incredibly passionate about refugee
health, and I believe primary care might be the avenue to help me make the most impact.

Fun Fact: I spend way too much money on Gymshark merch.

Know Someone Noteworthy in PSIO?

The Physiology major is made up of some of the best students on campus--

students who are not only high academic achievers, but also students who are
kind, giving, and involved in the Tucson and University community. Do you want
to recognize someone for their hard work? Nominate them to be the next PSIO
student spotlight in the August 2022 Newsletter! (all submission are anonymous)

Submit your nomination https://forms.gle/ejNDchBUcK4dk8RW9

2022 Department of Surgery Research

Symposium
The Department of Surgery is hosting its 2022 Research Symposium on May 18 from 7-11 a.m.
in the Health Sciences Innovation Building Forum.

Alongside our keynote speaker Justin Dimick, MD, MPH, surgery faculty, residents, fellows and
researchers will present on various topics across general surgery, surgical oncology, vascular
and endovascular surgery, trauma surgery, transplant surgery and cardiothoracic surgery.

Event Dates: Wed, May 18, 2022.    7:00 A.M - 11 A.M. MST

REGISTER TODAY

2022 Child Health Symposium 

The Child Health Symposium is a collaborative presentation of Western University's Faculty of

Health Sciences and TVCC. It provides an opportunity for families, clinicians, service leaders,
researchers, educators, and students from all disciplines to:

Share their knowledge, ideas, and best practices for service delivery
Present current research interests, questions, and findings
Learn more about current research on child and youth health and well-being
Network and build relationships and collaborations with others (e.g., youth, families,
students, service providers, educators, researchers) in the area of child and youth health
and well-being

Event Dates:  Thu, May 26, 2022.   6:00 AM – 12:45 PM MST

REGISTER TODAY

7th Annual Rural Women's Health

Symposium

The goal for this symposium is to explore ways we can support providers, health care workers
 and community members in serving rural women during turbulent times. The Symposium is a
chance to learn from each other and share best practices as leaders. We hope to raise
awareness and increase knowledge of health related issues among women and health equity in
rural Arizona during a pandemic and post-pandemic.

Event Dates: July 14th – 15th, 2022

REGISTER TODAY

PSIO/Pre-Health Clubs

PHYSIOLOGY CLUB 

This club is geared towards students who are pre-health majors looking to go into
medicine, pharmacy, dental, optometry, physical therapy, nursing, and other related fields.

PHYSIOLOGY AMBASSADORS

Ambassadors for the Undergraduate Physiology Department work as a leadership team

to welcome incoming students and their families and provide mentorship to current and
prospective physiology students throughout the school year and represent the unique
program across the community.

PHYSIOLOGY HONORS ACADEMY

The Physiology Honors Academy (PHA) Student Advisory Committee is a group of

Honors Physiology student advisors who offer peer mentoring and host multiple
educational and informational events for students.

ARIZONA PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY

The Arizona Physiological Society (AZPS) is a great professional organization to become

involved to share your passion for science and network with people interested in
physiology research, teaching, and outreach.

ALPHA EPSILON DELTA (Honors students only)

Alpha Epsilon Delta is the National Health Pre-professional Honor Society dedicated to
the encouragement and recognition of excellence in pre-professional health scholarship.

AMERICAN MEDICAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION

AMSA is a nationally recognized pre-medical club at the University of Arizona, with a

chapter at the U of A's medical school. This club aims to support and inspire students
interested in medicine to achieve their goals. AMSA meets every other Wednesday from
5:30pm to 6:30pm both in-person and on Zoom. Email amsaua.pres@gmail.com if you
are interested in joining!

FLYING SAMARITANS

This club aims to provide free medical, dental, and public health services to a medically
underserved community in Agua Prieta, Mexico. This semester, they are doing
TeleMedicine clinics and providing various volunteering and professional development
opportunities around the Tucson area. Email flyingsamusa@gmail.com for more
information or to be added to our listserv!

MEDICAL DIRECTIVE

Medical Directive UA Tucson is a pre-health club at the University of Arizona whose

mission is to help first generation university and pre-health students on their path to
 professional school. Our club is unique because we will connect students with various
opportunities, such as research, shadowing, mentoring, and even getting advice from
med students and faculty from the medical admissions committee. We meet every
Wednesday from 5pm to 6pm and to get the zoom link. Feel free to email us
at uamedicaldirective@gmail.com 

MEXZONA

Interested in gaining clinical experience with aiding the underserved population of Rocky
Point? Founded by George and Susie Stavros, Rocky Point Medical Clinics provide much
needed healthcare to the population of Puerto Penasco, SON, Mexico. The clinics are
staffed by volunteer doctors, nurses, and other health professionals to provide care and
health screenings to hundreds of patients each month. MexZona is a student-led club that
provides student volunteers and interpreters to the clinics. Spanish speakers are
encouraged to join, but all students are welcomed! Please
contact uamexzonamed@gmail.com if interested or if you have any questions!

STREET MEDICINE TUCSON

Street Medicine Tucson is a student run organization formally know as “Mobile Medicats”.
They work in partnership with the UArizona College of Medicine-Tucson allowing them to
run their mobile clinic 2-3 times a month. Street Medicine Tucson's main focus is helping
out the underserved population in particular the population experiencing homelessness. 

Contact StreetMedicineTucson@gmail.com with any questions or concerns!

 VOLUNTEERS FOR INTERCULTURAL & DEFINITIVE ADEVENTURE (VIDA)

VIDA is a club for anyone interested in a career in the veterinary, medical, or dental fields.
The club travels to Central America each year with trained professionals to provide free
healthcare services to the communities there. During the school year, we train members
with the skills and knowledge to help them provide these services. Regardless of whether
you choose to go on the trip, VIDA prepares you for your future career in healthcare. If
you are interested, we meet every Wednesday at 6pm in Marley 230. For those who
cannot make it in-person, you can join via this zoom
link: https://arizona.zoom.us/j/86195598133 (Password: UAVIDA).

GENETIC COUNSELING CLUB

University of Arizona Genetic Counseling Club is a student-led club that focuses on

providing resources and exposing students to the genetic counseling field. We work with
Graduate students as well as genetic counseling professionals to help us learn more and
educate anyone interested in the genetic counseling field.

Find more pre-health clubs here

Check out this Physiology Elective!

PSIO 469: Human Reproductive Physiology

We will examine contemporary issues in the field of reproductive physiology with particular
emphasis on clinical applications and societal concerns. The class structure is designed to
encourage application of primary scientific literature and text-book hypotheses to real-world
practice and exploration of new issues. Students are encouraged to bring recent articles,
newspaper clippings, opinions, ideas and questions to class to promote active learning.
  
Prerequisites: Randi Weinstein
Professors: PSIO majors and minors only and a C or better in (PSIO 201 and PSIO 202).

Available: Spring only

Antibody looking for opportunities?

Do you want to get more involved on campus 

or with your community?

Check out these amazing opportunities!

Research

Click on the opportunity for more information!

Biosphere 2

UA Cancer Center

(The center has many open full time positions for graduating students in the
clinical trials office)

Research Department of Physiology 

Undergraduate Research Consortium

(Subscribe to list-serve here)

Hepatology Clinical Research Assistant

(Applications due May 15th at 10:00 AM)

Undergraduate Research Biology Program

(The program is closed, but you can find professors in research through this site)

Pharmaceutical Student Researcher/Technician

(Application due May 31st at 11:55 AM)

Wilderness & Emergency Medicine Course in Colorado

(Two courses available this year)

UC Davis Emergency Medicine Research Associate Program (EMRAP)

(Applications for Winter 2022 due November 10th at 11:59 PM)

Recover through Engaging and Empowering Women (RENEW) Team Internship

(Now accepting Summer 2022 and Fall 2022 Applications)

Still looking for other opportunities?

Email a professor, or PI, to ask whether they are involved in research that you
could be a part of!

Volunteer

Click on the opportunity for more information!

 
Red Cross

Z Mansion

United Way

Diaper Bank

Bristol Hospice

Clínica Amistad

Children's Clinic

More Than a Bed

Harmony Hospice

Northwest Hospital

Primavera Foundation

Tucson Medical Center

(College Student Applications open April - June)

Banner University Medical Center

Virtual Volunteering Opportunities 

(Complied list of virtual volunteering opportunities, new and old)

Campus Health Volunteering Opportunities

Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA)

Jobs, Mentorships, Internships & More

Click on the opportunity for more information!

 
JOBS

 LinkedIn

ScribeOne

Handshake

Scribe America

(Please apply by May 31, 2022 9:05 AM | New higher wages)

UA Cancer Center

Nursing Clinical Research Assistant 

(Applications due July 1st at 5:20 PM)

Scribing at Arizona Urology Specialists

(Refer to poster below; hiring on rolling basis)

NEW! Brighton and Sussex Virtual Work Experience

INTERNSHIPS

2022 BIO5 Ambassador Internship

(Applications due August 23rd)

UArizona NASA Space Grant Internships

(Applications due July 1st, 2022)

International Rescue Committee Internships

(Fall and Spring applications open until positions are filled)

NEW! HEAL Clinical Education Summer Internship

(Applications due May 20th)

Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center Summer Internship Opportunity 

(For more information or to apply contact Ben Richmond

| Richmond@pharmacy.arizona.edu)

SHADOWING

Virtual Shadowing Opportunities

(Compiled list of virtual shadowing opportunities)

Oro Valley Dental Group Shadowing Opportunity

(Contact info@orovalleydentalgroup.com)

MENTORSHIPS
 
Wildcat Mentor Society 

MORE OPPORTUNITIES

NEW! Biomedical Entrepreneurship (E4B)

(Applications due August 17th, 2022)

NEW! iCreate Youth Summer Research Mentee Program

(Applications due May 25th at 11:59 PM PST)

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Launching Your Career Planning

Committee 

(Find out more about WISE and their Launching Your Career Symposium)

Pre-Med Jobs and How to Get Them

Looking for a medically related career as an undergrad? Need options? Information? 
 Surgical Technologist

Role: Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, work as members of

a healthcare team alongside physicians and surgeons, registered nurses, and other
healthcare workers.They prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors
during surgeries.
Skills Needed:  Communication, detail oriented, listening skills, physical stamina, stress-
management
Benefits: Growing field, ability to work as a team, stable career
Average Annual Salary: $49,710
Minimum Education Requirement:  Diploma, certificate, or associate’s degree from an
accredited surgical technology program (Pima Community College offers this program),
optional certification 

Physical Therapy Aide

Role: Physical therapy aides train under the direction of a physical therapist.

They performs designated and supervised routine physical therapy tasks.
Skills Needed: Compassion, dexterity, detail oriented, interpersonal skills, physical
stamina
Benefits:  Active, hands-on, low stress level, stable job
Average Annual Salary: $49,970
Minimum Education Requirement: HS diploma, Associates degree from program
accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, and on the
job training, 

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNS)

Role: Certified nursing assistant helps patients with direct health care needs, often under
the supervision of a nurse. A certified nursing assistant may also be called a nursing
assistant, a nurse’s aide, or a patient care assistant. CNAs work directly with patients and
nurses, helping with the many physical and complex tasks for patient care. 
Skills Needed: Compassion, verbal and written communication skills, computer skills,
hospitality, energetic
Benefits: Job flexibility, availability, wide experience
Average Annual Salary: $28,000
Minimum Education Requirement: HS diploma and CNS certification. Often includes state-
approved training program that includes 4-8 weeks long courses, taking National Nurse
Aid Assessment Program (NNAAP) exam

Scribe 

Role: Medical scribes are personal assistants to the physician; performing documentation
in the EHR, gathering information for the patient's visit, and partnering with the physician
to deliver the pinnacle of efficient patient care.
Skills Needed: Multitasking, computer skills, typing proficiency , knowledge of medical
terminology, and using EMR software
Benefits: Lots of room to grow and flexible schedule
Average Salary: $28,109 annual
Minimum Education Requirement: High school diploma or equivalent

Phlebotomist

Role: Phlebotomists draw blood from patients for tests, research, transfusions, and/or
blood donations. 
Skills Needed: dexterity, empathy, communication skills, attention to detail, computer
skills 
Benefits: high demand, certification, experience, 
Average Salary: $35,421 annual
 Minimum Education Requirement: training on-the-job or through a one-year certificate
program offered through community or technical colleges. 

Medical Lab Technician

Role: Contribute to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease by collecting

samples and performing important lab tests. Tested materials may include sputum
(phlegm), peritoneal fluid, blood, urine, stool samples, tissue, cells, and other substances.
Skills Needed: Analytical thinking, time management, organization and communication,
and attention to detail.
Benefits: Opportunity to advance in career and chance to work on a world-changing effort
Average Annual Salary: $55,464
Minimum Education Requirement: Complete a two-year associate’s degree program, MLT
Certification, ASCP certification.

Pharmacy Technician

Role: Closely with pharmacists in hospitals, drug and grocery stores, and other medical
settings to help prepare and distribute medicines to patients. 
Skills Needed: Mathematical proficiency, good communication, organizational skills,
computer skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Benefits: Flexible to work in hospital or retail.
Average Annual Salary: $31,748
Minimum Education Requirement: CPT technician certification license, and high school
diploma or equivalent. 

If you are not completely sure what you want to do with your
physiology degree after graduation, fear no more!

PSIO Career: Art Therapist 

Role:

 Art therapy is an established mental health profession that uses the creative process of art
making to improve and enhance the physical, mental and emotional well-being of people at all
ages. It integrates the fields of human development, visual arts, and the creative process with
models of counseling and psychotherapy. It is used with children, adolescents, adults, older
adults, groups and families to assess and treat multiple diagnoses.

Common Duties: 

Collaborating with other healthcare practitioners to develop or integrate personalized

treatment plans.
Consulting with patients to discuss their medical histories and identify the problems or
conditions they wish to overcome.
Discussing patients’ artworks with them to evaluate the meaning and emotions behind the
artworks.
Conducting art therapy sessions with patients using various types of visual art, including
drawing, sculpting, painting, ceramics, and clay modeling.

 
Minimum Requirements: 

Bachelor’s degree; possible majors also include studio art and psychology. Then, a master’s
degree in art therapy, which may also include coursework in counseling. You must complete an
internship to gain supervised experience working with clients or patients. Finally, you will require
professional credentials, including registration and certification, are available from the Art
Therapy Credentials Board.

Salary:

Median annual wage of $55,900. Most of these art therapists have an annual salary of between
$30,000 and $80,000.

Sources (1), (2), (3), (4),

Physiology Fun Fact:

Nephrons, the kidney filtering units, clean about 45 gallons

blood in the human body in about 45 minutes and send about
six cups of urine (2000 ml) to the bladder every day.

 
(source)

I hope you found this humerus!

 
(source)
 Who are the PSIO Ambassadors?
The Physiology Ambassadors are a group of individuals dedicated to helping other Physiology students learn
about all they can do with their major/minor. From holding office hours where students can ask questions about
classes, professors or extracurriculars, to giving tours for prospective students, the Physiology Ambassadors are
here to help you discover the possibilities of graduating with a Physiology degree at the University of Arizona! 

Presented by the Physiology Ambassadors

Co-Presidents: Deven Contreras & India Zappia

Secretary/Tour Coordinators: Katherine Tran & Amal Anilkumar

Treasurers: Andrea Moreno & Maria Liong

Outreach Coordinators: Nandini Sodhi & Nandini Sojitra & Taylor Henkel

Media: Kalia Kang

Journalists: Mena Backayah & Mariam Yaltaghian & Nasikah Ahmed

Want to contact the Physiology Ambassadors Advisor?

Dr. Claudia Stanescu - stanescu@email.arizona.edu

Want to change how you receive these emails?

You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Calendar ~ Mena Backayah

Physiology GroupMe ~ Mena Backayah

Survival Guide ~  Mena Backayah

Additional Medical School Advice ~ Nasikah Ahmed

PSIO Student Spotlight ~ Nasikah Ahmed

Pre-Health Clubs Information ~ Mena Backayah, Mariam Yaltaghian, and Nasikah Ahmed

PSIO Elective ~ Nasikah Ahmed

PSIO Opportunities ~ Nasikah Ahmed, Mena Backayah, and Mariam Yaltaghian

Pre-Med Jobs and How to Get Them ~ Mena Backayah, Nasikah Ahmed, and Mariam Yaltaghian

PSIO Career ~ Nasikah Ahmed

PSIO Fun Fact ~ Nasikah Ahmed

PSIO Cartoon ~ Nasikah Ahmed