Physiology

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Informații

Discipline of Physiology

Address: 1 Clinicilor Street
Telephone: +40 264 598575
Fax: +40 264 599814
Discipline of Physiology website: www.fiziologiecluj.ro

Head of Discipline: Prof. Dr. Simona Valeria Clichici
E-mail: sclichici@umfcluj.ro

 

Information about the Discipline of Physiology

Physiology is the fundamental science that studies the mechanisms involved in maintaining the homeostasis of the internal environment, which makes it possible for the human organism to function as a unit. Knowledge of physiology enables understanding of the functional properties of the cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine, nervous, digestive, and muscular systems, as well as how they interact to ensure the unity of the organism.

Members of the discipline are involved in delivering lectures and practical classes for Year I and II students in Medicine and Dental Medicine, as well as in fundamental research.

The discipline also contributes courses to master’s programs in Psychosomatic Medicine and Cosmetology, as well as postgraduate courses concerning the role of oxidative stress and methods for its evaluation in various physiological and pathological conditions.

The main research directions focus on in vitro and in vivo studies (on animal models) of oxidative stress and inflammation in various pathologies, the biocompatibility of different synthetic products, nanomedicine, and neurosciences.

PhD Supervisors:
Prof. Dr. Simona Clichici
Doctoral research topics include: pro- and antitumoral mechanisms in melanoma; the role of inflammation in myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative syndromes; biomarkers in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea; iron homeostasis and its relationship with inflammation in cardiovascular diseases; cardiovascular risk factors and their relationship with the intestinal microbiome; evaluation of the protective role of nanomaterials in experimental models of liver fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, and atherosclerosis.

 

Experimental Physiology Scientific Circle

Scientific Circle Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Simona Clichici
Social media page: www.facebook.com/groups/cercfiziocluj

Main topics of the scientific circle:

  • Counting formed blood elements
  • Ehrlich ascites – transplantation, cell counting, cell viability
  • Photodynamic therapy – experimental studies
  • Surgical ovariectomy
  • Behavioral tests used in the study of cognitive functions
  • Toxic hepatopathies – experimental models
  • Cholestatic hepatopathies – bile duct ligation
  • Experimental models of peripheral and cerebral ischemia
  • Stem cells in regenerative medicine
  • Stereotaxy – research method in neurophysiology
  • Isolated organ studies in organ baths

 

Academic Staff

 

Simona Clichici
Email: sclichici@umfcluj.ro
Phone: 0264598575

Academic rank: Professor

Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, Cluj-Napoca (1994). PhD in Medicine (2004) with the thesis “Effects of glucocorticoid hormones on nervous system development.” Specialist in radiodiagnostics (2000). Faculty member at UMF Cluj-Napoca since 1997. Coordinator of the in vivo studies laboratory since 2008. Former Secretary General and current President of the Romanian Society of Physiological Sciences. Vice President of ASOM and BIOCOM. Former Vice Dean for Education and current Vice Dean for Research. Director of two national research projects. Author/co-author of over 140 ISI-indexed articles.

Habilitation thesis: “Applied Physiology: from Experimental Models to the Protective Effects of Natural and Synthetic Compounds”, defended in October 2017; PhD supervisor since 2018.

Courses: courses for 2nd-year General Medicine students, Romanian and French study tracks; optional courses within the Doctoral School; master’s courses in Psychosomatic Medicine, “Psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology: the Physiological Foundations of Psychosomatics”.

Scientific interests: experimental models, oxidative stress, liver fibrosis, in vivo evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects of natural and synthetic compounds.

 

Șoimița-Mihaela Suciu
Email: mihaela.suciu@umfcluj.ro

Academic rank: Professor

Graduate of the Faculty of General Medicine, Institute of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca (1988); PhD in Medicine (2005); faculty member since 1999; Vice Dean for Education of the Faculty of Medicine (since 2011); Dean of the Faculty of Medicine (since 2020), specialist in Laboratory Medicine (1994); Head of the Oxidative Stress Research Laboratory (Department of Physiology, since 2001); Secretary of the Romanian Society of Physiological Sciences (2008–2012); founding member of BIOCOM – Center for the Study of Biocompatibility of Natural and Synthetic Products.

Research projects: director of a national research project (PN II IDEI); member of the research team in nine other national projects.

Educational projects: member of two POSDRU projects and one international project of the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF).

Scientific output: author/co-author of 40 ISI-indexed articles.

Teaching activity:

Physiology courses in Romanian (Year II) and English (Year I); postgraduate courses.

Scientific interests:

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in physiology and pathology; effects of ultrasound and electromagnetic radiation; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, and analgesic effects of natural compounds.

 

Irina Harangus
Email: ichis@umfcluj.ro
Phone: 0264598575

Academic rank: Associate Professor

Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Class of 1997. PhD in Medicine, with the doctoral thesis entitled “Mechanisms of Erythropoietin Secretion. Protective Effects of Erythropoietin”, supervised by Academician Prof. Dr. Ioan Baciu, defended in May 2004. Specialist physician in Clinical Laboratory Medicine (clinical biochemistry, microbiology, parasitology, hematology) since 2003. Master’s degree in Physical Education and Kinesiology, Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca (2004). Specialist in Internal Medicine since 2012. Faculty member at UMF Cluj-Napoca since 1998.

Teaching activity:

Courses taught to 1st- and 2nd-year General Medicine students (Romanian and French study tracks); to BFK students (Years I–II), AML students (Year I), and Radiology (Rx) students (Year I).

Supervisor of the student scientific circle, General Medicine, French track.

Scientific interests: development of experimental models of diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis; investigation of endothelial dysfunction; role of oxi-nitrosative stress in endothelial dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetes mellitus; involvement of oxi-nitrosative stress in diabetic neuropathy; effects of natural and synthetic antioxidants in diabetic neuropathy and endothelial dysfunction.

 

 

 

Ioana Bâldea
Email: ioana.baldea@umfcluj.ro

Academic rank: Associate Professor

Course coordinator for Physiology (General Medicine, Years I–II, English section). Practical classes in Romanian and English sections; Master’s program in Clinical Cosmetology.

Scientific activity:

Supervisor of student scientific circles. Fundamental in vitro and in vivo research on antitumoral efficiency, chemoprevention, and biocompatibility of synthetic compounds and nanomaterials.

Clinical activity:

Specialist in Dermatovenereology.

 

 

Cristian Cezar Login

Academic rank: Associate Professor

Graduate in Medicine (2003) and Psychology (2008). PhD in Medicine (2009). Specialist in Occupational Medicine.

Teaching activity:

Teaching Dental Medicine (French section) and General Medicine (French and Romanian sections).

Scientific interests:

Oxidative stress in physiological and pathological processes; non-invasive liver fibrosis markers; psychophysiology; learning and behavioral testing; sensory physiology; modern and effective teaching strategies in physiology.

 

 

Alexandra Sevastre-Berghian
Email: berghian.alexandra@umfcluj.ro

Academic rank: Associate Professor

Consultant Pediatric Psychiatrist
MD graduate (2007); PhD in Medicine (2013)

Teaching activity:

  • Lectures (BFK, Year I)
  • Practical classes in Medicine (Years I–II) and Dental Medicine
  • Problem-Based Learning (Romanian & English sections)
  • Admission exam preparatory courses
  • Student scientific circle: behavioral tests on laboratory animals for cognitive function research

Scientific interests:

Neurosciences; behavioral testing in animal models; use of natural compounds in experimental stress, anxiety, and cognitive dysfunction.

 

 

Ramona-Ariana Simedrea
Email: ramona.simedrea@umfcluj.ro

Academic rank: Senior Lecturer

Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Class of 1990. PhD in Medicine (2001). Doctoral thesis: “Effects of Hypobaric Hypoxia on Blood Platelets”, supervised by Prof. Dr. Mircea Dorofteiu. Faculty member in the Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, UMF “Iuliu Hațieganu” Cluj-Napoca, since 1992 to present.

Teaching activity:

Physiology courses for 1st-year medical students (Romanian and French study tracks); practical classes in Physiology for 1st- and 2nd-year medical students (Romanian and French tracks); practical classes in Physiology for 1st-year Dental Medicine students (Romanian and French tracks).

Scientific interests:

Physiology, oxidative stress; investigation of endothelial dysfunction; involvement of oxi-nitrosative stress in endothelial dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetes mellitus; effects of natural antioxidants combined with moderate physical exercise on endothelial dysfunction in diabetes mellitus; involvement of oxi-nitrosative stress in diabetic neuropathy; effects of natural antioxidants combined with moderate physical exercise on diabetic neuropathy.

 

 

Daniela-Rodica Mitrea
Email: daniela.mitrea@umfcluj.ro

Academic rank: Senior Lecturer

Author of 3 textbooks for the English section; coordinator of 12 bachelor’s theses (9 in the English section); translator/coordinator of 7 chapters in international physiology textbooks (Cambridge ESOL B2 certificate). Lecturer in postgraduate courses, master’s programs, and student scientific circles, including at the University of Bari (Italy). Organizer of workshops for the English section; co-author/coordinator of admission tests; co-author of practical workbooks (Romanian section); student tutor.

Scientific output:

  • Author of 2 international book chapters and 1 national book chapter
  • 11 ISI-indexed articles (7 as first or corresponding author)
  • 33 full-text articles (24 indexed in BDI)
  • 41 abstracts in ISBN/ISSN journals
  • 68 conference participations
  • 2 conference awards
  • 3 UEFISCDI awards
  • Grant collaborator

 

 

Cristina Bidian
Email: cristina.bidian@umfcluj.ro

Academic rank: Senior Lecturer

Graduate of the Faculty of General Medicine (1994). PhD in Medicine (2008) with the thesis “Influence of Air-Pollution-Induced Oxidative Stress on the Oxidant/Antioxidant Balance.” Specialist in Pulmonology (1999).

Teaching activity:
Lectures (General Medicine, Year I); practical classes (Years I–II), Romanian section and General Medical Assistance; supervision of bachelor’s theses.

Scientific interests:
Oxidative stress induced by air pollutants; effects of natural compounds in inflammatory lung pathology and ischemic disease; in vitro and in vivo toxicity studies of metallic nanoparticles.

 

 

Lavinia Ioana Sabau

Academic rank: Senior Lecturer
PhD in Medical Sciences (2003) – cum laude

PhD thesis: Dynamics of Reactive Oxygen Species and Antioxidants in Obstetric and Gynecological Pathology

Teaching activity:
Lectures and practical classes in General Medicine

Other activities:
Supervisor of bachelor’s theses

Scientific interests:
Reactive oxygen species, oxidative stress, antioxidants

 

 

Maria Cristina Olănescu Vaida Voevod
Phone: 0264 598575

Academic rank: Assistant Professor

Teaching activity:

Practical classes in the Romanian and English sections: General Medicine (Years I–II) and Dental Medicine (Year I). Participation in the Physiology scientific circle: experimental models of peripheral, splanchnic, and cerebral ischemia. Supervision of bachelor’s theses.

Fields of interest:

Oxidative stress; protective role of natural products; effects of polyphenol-functionalized nanoparticles on oxidative stress; vascular endothelium.

 

 

Alina Mihaela Toader
Email: toader.alina@umfcluj.ro

Academic rank: Assistant Professor

Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine (1999). Specialist in Family Medicine (2005) and Neonatology (2011). Faculty member since 2006.

PhD thesis: Neuroprotective Strategies in Experimental Cerebral Hypoxia and Ischemia

Teaching activity:
Practical classes in Physiology for Years I–II (Romanian and French sections), Dental Medicine, AML, Dental Technology; involvement in Problem-Based Learning (English & Romanian sections).

Scientific interests:
Physiology, neonatology, neuroprotection, oxidative stress; research conducted on newborn animal models exposed to cerebral ischemia and hypoxia.

 

 

Oana Hoteiuc

Academic rank: Assistant Professor

PhD in Medical Sciences (2011), PhD thesis: Etiopathogenetic Evaluation of Experimental Atherogenesis Using Conventional and Non-Conventional Methods

Graduate of UMF Cluj-Napoca (1996–2002). Faculty member since 2003. Specialist in Vascular Surgery.

Teaching activity:
Practical classes and postgraduate courses in Physiology.

Scientific interests:
Oxidative stress, experimental atherosclerosis, minimally invasive vascular surgery techniques, laser endovenous therapy, lymphedema treatment, modern microsurgical therapies.

 

 

Nadina-Liana Pop

Academic rank: Assistant Professor

Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine (UMF Cluj-Napoca) and the Faculty of Law (Bucharest).
PhD in Medicine (magna cum laude).
Consultant in Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Balneology.

Scientific activity:
Author of specialty scientific articles.

 

 

Mihai Lupu
Email: lupu.mihai@umfcluj.ro

Academic rank: Assistant Professor
Specialist in Cardiology

PhD thesis: Iron Homeostasis and Cardiac Pathology

Scientific interests:
Heart failure, iron metabolism, animal models of cardiovascular diseases.

 

 

Răzvan-Geo Antemie
Email: antemie_razvan_geo@elearn.umfcluj.ro

Academic rank: Assistant Professor

Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine (2020). Specialist in Ophthalmology. Student demonstrator since 2018; Assistant Professor since 2021.

Teaching activity:
Practical classes in Physiology for Years I–II (Romanian & English sections), General Medicine, Dental Medicine, and BFK.

Scientific interests:
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiangiogenic effects of natural and synthetic compounds in retinal pathologies; effects of short-wavelength light on retinal morphology and processes.

 

Teodora Larisa Florian

Academic rank: Assistant Professor

Graduate of UMF Cluj-Napoca (2016). Specialist in Dermatovenereology (2020).

Teaching activity:
Practical classes in Physiology for General Medicine and Dental Medicine.

Scientific interests:
Physiology, dermatology, venerology, neurosciences.

 

 

Iuliana Nenu
Email: nenu.iuliana@elearn.umfcluj.ro

Academic rank: Assistant Professor

Graduate of UMF Cluj-Napoca (2016). Specialist in Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Faculty member since 2022.

Teaching activity:
Practical classes in General and Dental Medicine (Romanian & English sections).

Scientific interests:
Experimental models of portal hypertension, liver fibrosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, coagulation in liver disease, molecular biology of cancer.

 

Lăcrămioara Samoilă

Academic rank: Assistant Professor

Graduate of UMF Târgu-Mureș (2009). Specialist in Ophthalmology. Faculty member since 2024.

Teaching activity:
Practical classes in Physiology (Romanian & French sections).

Scientific interests:
Ophthalmology; age-related macular degeneration; diabetic retinopathy; topical drug delivery systems in retinal oxidative stress pathologies.

 

 

Robert Mîndreanu

Academic rank: Assistant Professor

Graduate of UMF Cluj-Napoca (2021). Neurology resident. Faculty member since 2024. Graduate of the intensive epilepsy/EEG course at UH Cleveland Medical Center, USA (2023).

Teaching activity:
Practical classes in Physiology (French section, Years I–II).

Scientific interests:
Clinical and research EEG; epilepsy diagnosis and management; mechanisms of epileptogenesis.

 

 

Camelia Alexandra Coadă
Email: coada_camelia_alexandra@elearn.umfcluj.ro

Academic rank: Assistant Professor

Graduate of UMF Cluj-Napoca (2016). Doctoral and postdoctoral studies at the University of Bologna. Resident in Laboratory Medicine.

Teaching activity:
Practical classes in Physiology (Romanian & English sections).

Scientific interests:
Gynecological oncology; prognostic and predictive biomarkers; radiomics and machine learning algorithms in tumor diagnosis and prognosis; molecular biomarkers.

 

 

Ghiță Leon Victor
Email: LEON.VICT.GHITA@elearn.umfcluj.ro

Teaching degree: Assistant professor

  • Graduate of the Faculty of Medicine, UMF Cluj-Napoca, class of 2025
  • PhD student in the Department of Physiology with the thesis “Neuroprotective therapeutic interventions in neurodegenerative pathology”
  • Resident physician in Neurology, Cluj-Napoca

Teaching activity: practical seminars with students from the Faculty of Medicine, Romanian and English sections, first and second years

Main areas of interest:

  • Sleep physiology and pathology
  • Animal models for inducing sleep deprivation
  • Physiopathology and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease)
  • In vivo and in vitro models of neurodegenerative diseases