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Physiology

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About the department

The Department of Physiology at Coimbatore Medical College was established in 1966 with an initial intake of 100 MBBS students. Over the years, the department has evolved to become a center of excellence in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education. The MBBS intake increased to 150 students in 2003, and the MD Physiology course was introduced the same year with 2 PG seats, which expanded to 4 seats in 2010. In 2021, the MBBS intake rose to 200 students annually. The department now offers programs for MBBS, MD Physiology, Allied Health Sciences, and D.Pharm.

Email-Id: [email protected]

HOD Desk

Dr. R. Shanmugha Vadivu, MD

Professor and Head of the Deparrtment

Dr. R. Shanmugha Vadivu, MD, is a distinguished Professor and Head of the Department with 28 years of extensive experience in medical education and clinical practice. She plays a pivotal role in the institution through her multifaceted responsibilities. As the Head of the Department and a dedicated guide for postgraduate students, she fosters academic excellence and mentorship. She serves as the Nodal Officer of the National Emergency Life Support (NELS) Skill Centre, enhancing critical care training. Dr. Vadivu also leads the Monitoring Committee for the 7.5% quota MBBS students, ensuring their academic progress and integration. Her contributions extend to several key committees, including the Institutional Ethics Committee, Postgraduate Students’ Grievance Redressal Committee, Multidisciplinary Unit Recruitment Committee, Anti-Ragging Squad, and the Anti-Drug Committee. Through her leadership, commitment, and vision, she significantly contributes to the academic growth, ethical standards, and student welfare of the institution.

Faculties

C. Hannah Ueno
Assistant Professor
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Thomas Fred
Associate Professor
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Jennifer Aarons
Professor of Art
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Professors
Michael McGarvey
Professor of Literature
Katherine Panagakos earned her M.A. in Classics from Tulane University and her Ph.D. in Greek and Latin from The Ohio State University. During her graduate work, she was a student at The American School of Classical Studies at Athens (ASCSA) and was a field walker and camp manager at the Eastern Korinthia Archaeogical Survey (EKAS). Katherine spent three years in a rotating position at schools in the Associated Colleges of the South (Southwestern University in Georgetown, TX; Furman University in Greenville, SC; and Rhodes College in Memphis, TN).
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Course Handling

MBBS Program

  • Core physiology training for 200 students/year
  • Topics include: General Physiology, Musculoskeletal System, Blood, Respiratory, Cardiovascular Systems

D.Pharm

  • Physiology course for 60 students/year

Allied Health Sciences

  • B.Sc Radiography and Imaging Technology
  • B.Sc Radiotherapy
  • B.Sc Dialysis Technology
  • B.Sc Cardiac Technology
  • B.Sc Physician Assistant

Facilities

  • Haematology Lab: Self-illuminated microscopes for each student
  • Clinical Physiology Lab: Instruments for clinical examination practice
  • Mammalian & Amphibian Labs: For advanced animal experiments
  • Research Lab: Supports faculty and student-led physiological research

Research and Publications

Ongoing research

  • Effect of Pranayama on Pulmonary Function Test in Prediabetics
        Dr. M. A. Fhirdhouse, Dr. R. Shanmughavadivu

  • Effect of Fast and Slow Pranayama on Cardiovascular Parameters in Prehypertensive Individuals
        Dr. N. Tamilselvan, Dr. S. Kavitha

  • Effect of Nadhi Suddhi and Bramhari Pranayama on Audio Visual Reaction Time in Young Adults
        Dr. B. R. Sudha, Dr. M. Vijayalakshmi

  • Nerve Conduction Study in Rheumatoid Arthritis
        Dr. S. E. Vinothini, Dr. R. Shanmughavadivu

  • Effect of Yoga on Heart Rate Variability in Overweight Adults
        Dr. V. A. P. Priyankha, Dr. M. Vijayalakshmi

  • Pulmonary Function Test in Cotton Mill Workers
        Dr. P. Mohamed Yahoop, Dr. R. Shanmughavadivu

Publications

The Department of Physiology at Coimbatore Medical College contributes significantly to advancing physiological sciences through high-impact research published in reputed journals. Below is a list of recent publications, formatted in IEEE style, showcasing the department’s scholarly achievements.

  1. R. Jeevalakshmi, R. Shanmugha Vadivu, and S. Kavitha, “Effect of cigarette smoking on nerve conduction velocity,” Egyptian Acad. J. Biol. Sci., vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 439–446, Jun. 2023, DOAJ.

  2. R. Jeevalakshmi and R. Shanmugha Vadivu, “Effect of pranayama on rate pressure product in prehypertensives,” Int. J. Physiol., vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1–7, Dec. 2024, Scopus.

  3. J. C. R. P. Chandani and R. Shanmugha Vadivu, “Effect of isometric handgrip exercise training on resting blood pressure in prehypertensives,” Indian J. Appl. Res., vol. 14, no. 11, pp. 63–64, Nov. 2024, PubMed Central.

  4. M. S. Priya and R. Shanmugha Vadivu, “Isometric handgrip exercise as a test for unmasking hypertension in offspring of hypertensive parents,” Indian J. Appl. Res., vol. 14, no. 11, pp. 50–51, Nov. 2024, PubMed Central.

  5. J. Prasanna Venkatesh and S. Kavitha, “Effect of yogasana on respiratory efficiency in young individuals,” Indian J. Appl. Res., vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 36–37, Mar. 2025, PubMed Central.

  6. B. B. Singh and M. Vijayalakshmi, “Heart rate variability in prediabetic individuals,” Indian J. Appl. Res., vol. 14, no. 8, pp. 78–80, Oct. 2024, PubMed Central.

  7. S. Janani and M. Vijayalakshmi, “Anthropometric measures and cognition in children aged 7–12,” Indian J. Appl. Res., vol. 13, no. 10, pp. 71–73, Oct. 2023, PubMed Central.

  8. P. Kumari and P. Vinupradha, “A cross-sectional study of learning style preference among second-year medical graduates using modified VARK questionnaire based on new curriculum,” Nat. J. Physiol. Pharm. Pharmacol., vol. 14, no. 5, pp. 831–836, Sep. 2024, Embase.

  9. R. B. Aghil, S. K. Bobby, and N. Devi, “Comparison of behavioral and cardiovascular changes to nociceptive stimuli among preterm and term neonates in a tertiary care center, Coimbatore,” J. Cardiovasc. Dis. Res., vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 913–920, Mar. 2022, Embase.

  10. S. K. Bobby, V. Nedumaran, and N. Latha, “A study of awareness regarding diabetes among diabetic patients in Coimbatore,” J. Dental Med. Sci., vol. 21, no. 7, pp. 1–5, Aug. 2022, Index Copernicus.

  11. R. B. Aghil, S. K. Bobby, K. R. U, and P. V. Saraswathi, “Assessment of sleep quality and its effects on academic performance among first-year medical students in a tertiary care center, Tamil Nadu,” Egyptian Acad. J. Biol. Sci., vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 195–200, Oct. 2022, DOAJ.

  12. M. Mohan, S. Selvakili, and K. G. Chandrakaladharan, “Change of brainstem auditory evoked potential in vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attack patients,” Nat. J. Physiol. Pharm. Pharmacol., vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 429–433, Aug. 2024, Embase.

  13. J. B. A. Ali, M. Mohan, and T. Dinesh, “Association between coronary artery disease and BMI,” Indian J. Public Health Res. Develop., vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 392–396, 2024, Embase.

These publications underscore the department’s commitment to advancing physiological research, contributing to improved healthcare education and clinical outcomes.

Achievments

Faculties

Dr. R. Shanmughavadivu, MD (Professor & HOD):

  • Excellent Medical Teacher Award – IMA Coimbatore, 08.11.2023

  • Certificate of Appreciation – District Collector, 26.01.2022

  • Certificate of Appreciation – Dean, CMC, 26.01.2021

  • Certificate of Appreciation – Dean, CMC, 15.08.2020

  • Certificate of Appreciation – District Collector, 15.08.2013

Dr. S. Kavitha, MD (Associate Professor):

  • Certificate of Appreciation – Dean, CMC, 15.08.2021

Dr. S. Kanchana Bobby, MD (Assistant Professor):

  • Certificate of Appreciation – Dean, CMC, 26.01.2021

Students

  • Postgraduates:

    1. 1st Place – Paper Presentation at Govt Medical College, Kollam (2023)
      Topic: Mean platelet volume in Type 2 diabetes mellitus – Dr. R. Jeevalakshmi
      Guide: Dr. R. Shanmughavadivu

    2. 2nd Place – Poster Presentation at SRM Medical College, Trichy (2023)
      Topic: Inter-arm difference in systolic BP in offspring of hypertensive individuals – Dr. Janani S
      Guide: Dr. M. Vijayalakshmi

    3. 2nd Place – Paper Presentation at SRM Medical College, Trichy (2023)
      Topic: Platelet indices in prediabetics – Dr. B. Birundha Singh
      Guide: Dr. M. Vijayalakshmi

    4. 3rd Place – National Level Pedagogy Competition at Velammal Medical College (2024)
      – Dr. M. Sai Priya (Guide: Dr. R. Shanmughavadivu)
      – Dr. B.R. Sudha (Guide: Dr. M. Vijayalakshmi)

    Undergraduates:

    • 1st Place – Mind Mapping Competition at KMCH, Coimbatore (2022)
      Winner: Pooja Babu

Events and Services

Academic events

  • Role Play in Applied Physiology – 28.06.2023

  • Role Play in AETCOM – 21.12.2024

  • Role Play in AETCOM – 04.01.2025

  • Role Play in AETCOM – 18.01.2025

  • UG Quiz in Gastrointestinal Physiology – 20.03.2025

Community Services

The Department of Physiology supports community outreach by integrating practical training with public health awareness, preparing students to address real-world healthcare challenges.

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