Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology Graduate Group

Exercise physiologist Keith Baar specializes in sports medicine. He studies the effects of exercise on bone, muscle and tendon health.

In this Q&A, he discusses how intensive exercising after injury or when overweight can cause damage to ligaments and tendons. He also talks about the importance of integrating isometric or static exercises into our fitness routines.

In the last week of President Biden’s term, the White House honored over 700 scientists and engineers, including three CBS faculty. 

Graduate student Nathaniel (Nate) Herrera has used his last year at UC Davis to springboard a career in STEM teaching. Herrera, who joined UC Davis in 2021, studies sex differences in cardiac physiology within the Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Physiology Graduate Group.

The global dietary supplements market, valued at $178.8 billion in 2023, is rapidly growing. Exercise physiologist Keith Baar specializes in sports medicine and studies the effects of collagen, whey and omega-3 supplements on bone and tendon health.

Sam Arcement—Director of Graduate Academic Programs for the College of Biological Sciences, and the program coordinator for the Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology (MCIP) Graduate Group—has been honored with the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Program Coordinator Award from the Office of Graduate Studies. This year saw a record number of nominations. “Sam tirelessly ensures that our needs and concerns are heard and addressed,” said one MCIP student, who praised Arcement’s dedication to student advocacy.

The American Physiological Society recently named UC Davis Professor Manuel Navedo the 2025 recipient of the Robert M. Berne Distinguished Lectureship. This award is presented annually by the society’s Cardiovascular Section to an established leader in cardiovascular research.

Commitment. Passion. Empathy. These descriptors were just a few of the plaudits the winners of the 2024 Graduate Program Advising and Mentoring Award received in their nomination letters.

“[This professor’s] mentorship is always the perfect balance of pushing you to your full capacity, while also supporting at a level that fosters independence, creativity and self-ownership.”

“[This professor] combines a deep sense of empathy with a steely commitment to student development.”

UC Davis molecular exercise physiologist Keith Baar spoke with UC Davis Health about how our body responds to physical activity and why intense exercise is better for your heart than walking more steps.

We all know that exercise and a good diet are important for a healthy body. But how much exercise, and what is a good diet?

A new UC Davis Health study found that a ketogenic (keto) diet improves muscle function in older animals by preventing muscle mass loss due to age (sarcopenia).