The Research Group of Comparative Physiology teaches all the veterinary medicine students in the 2nd bachelor. From 2016 till 2020 onwards, both 'Physiology and pathophysiology I' and in the second semester 'Physiology and pathophysiology II' were teached. During these two courses students acquire in-depth knowledge and insight about the functioning of the healthy body (physiology), where the first steps are taken towards pathophysiology. Emphasis is directed towards stimulating integrative thinking and logical reasoning. This prepares veterinary students for the rest of their academic studies. The subjects on which the courses focus are the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, blood and blood-forming organs, kidney and urinary tract, digestive system, nervous system, endocrinology, metabolism, reproduction and musculoskeletal system. The comparison between different animal species ("comparative physiology") is essential for the education of the Veterinary Medicine students. In 2019 our group was joined by a Tenure Track position: Prof. Catharina De Schauwer, who is now responsible for Physiology & Pathophysiology I and has created her own research group focusing on stem cell research.
Several doctoral students work in the team. They work both at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Ghent and partly abroad (for example the Netherlands, Germany, Australia). In addition, there are Erasmus students on a regular basis who stay with us for a few months as part of a research internship. Via following link you can obtain a view on educational output of the Team: educational_output_of_the_teal_update_30062023.pdf
Members of our team also take part in post-graduate education for veterinarians at home and abroad.