Yan Bi

My name is Yan Bi and I am an international student from China pursuing a Ph.D. degree in physiology. I got my B.S. from Shandong Medical University and my M.S. from Beijing Medical University. I spent one year at Wayne State University in Detroit before I came here.

I am interested in signal transduction. I have finished two rotations studying K-ras, G-proteins and Rho in Dr. Logsdon's & Dr. Williams's lab respectively. Currently, I am doing my third rotation in Dr. Carter-Su's Lab where my rotation project involves studying various aspects of the growth hormone signaling pathway. I am working on the involvement and function of JAK2, SH2B and APS within the paradigm of GH signaling.

From my heart, it is a pleasant experience to be a student here in the Physiology department. Everybody is nice and will help you out whenever you need them. As to the student group, I feel it is more like a fraternity relationship, we often discuss difficult issues in courses.

Anyway, I am here if you have any questions about how to apply for this department and what the life will be if you are admitted. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

Yan

Email: yanbi@umich.edu

Brian Gummow

I am currently a 5th year graduate student in the Department of Physiology. I joined the department when I transferred in during my second year of graduate school. Despite the unusual circumstances of my entry into the department, the students, faculty, and staff in the department welcomed me with open arms and bent over backwards to make the transition easier for me. Compared to other graduate departments I have been a part of, the Department of Physiology is the most student friendly. Students actively participate in Department committees and decisions.
The preliminary exam that I took at the end of my second year really helped me to identify my strengths and weaknesses as a scientist. My prelim committee (made up of Physiology faculty) helped me through the process and gave me some direction as I moved on to the latter stage of my graduate student career. Additionally, since the Department of Physiology allowed me to use my thesis research for my prelims topic (most Departments make you use a topic you have never worked on), I now have a focused research plan to guide me in my thesis research.
In addition to my research, being in the Department of Physiology has given me several opportunities to experience teaching. I have had the opportunity to TA an undergraduate physiology class, as well as the opportunity to be a discussion leader for several Medical School classes. I was able to work with members of the Physiology faculty to develop lesson plans and exam questions. Additionally, the professors in the Department of Physiology observed me teach some of my sections (most other departments do not do this). They were able to help me pinpoint my strengths and correct my weaknesses as a teacher, skills I will need as I pursue a career in science.
The students in the department are a tight knit group who have both helped me academically, by listening to my practice prelims talk, and have taken me out to blow off some steam when prelims were stressing me out. Even though I joined the department late, they made me feel at home right away, something I didn't experience before joining Physiology. Despite the upheaval that was caused by my decision to transfer into the Department of Physiology, I think I made the right choice and have enjoyed several years as a productive member of the department. I am currently wrapping up my thesis work, and I hope to defend by the end of next summer. As I get ready to move on from here, I know I will look back fondly on my years spent in the Department of Physiology, here at the University of Michigan.

Email:bgummow@umich.edu