Student group spotlight: The Undergraduate Physiology Students’ Association

The University of Alberta’s Undergraduate Physiology Students’ Association (UPSA) provides academic and social support for physiology students and aims to build community within the department.

UPSA was established in 1995 with a small number of people in the department. Since then, the association has grown to represent over 200 undergraduate students. 

The UPSA’s main goals are to represent undergraduate physiology students, advocating on behalf of the students to the department. This year, UPSA has focused on building interdepartmental collaboration with other departments in the faculty of science, such as neuroscience and immunology.

For co-president Sarah Paterson, fostering a community for physiology students is the most fulfilling part. Paterson benefited immensely from UPSA events held in her second year, especially when it came to advice on classes and midterms. She wanted to “actively [contribute] to make [other students’] degree better and their experience more positive.” 

The association hosts academic events, including research seminars and lab tours, where students learn what research entails and the requirements for getting into research, an important aspect of the later parts of their degrees. 

They also offer social events to foster community building, such as the welcome barbecue at the start of the academic year, as well as interdisciplinary mixers like trivia nights. There are also social events with a focus on de-stressing students, like the puppy and paint mixer. 

Additionally, the UPSA hosts a graduation banquet at the end of the year for graduating students and professors to congratulate graduating students on all their hard work. These events align with the association’s mission by fostering community collaboration and connection, as well as supporting students academically.  

A fulfilling experience for all students

Another focus of UPSA is outreach. UPSA offers high school outreach programs where students can learn about the U of A’s physiology program, what physiology is about, and what the application process to get into the department is like. 

“Lots of high school students have never heard of the term [physiology]; they haven’t heard of the program, so we kind of introduced them to let them know what to expect,” co-president Linden Stuart said.

The most fulfilling thing about being a part of this association, according to Stuart, is “belonging and being able to actually make change that matters for the students.” She enjoys being able to provide advice to students, especially as someone who transferred from a different department to physiology in her second year and was able to “immediately feel that sense of connection.”

Additionally, Paterson mentioned that students should not feel shy about reaching out to student organizations “because that’s our job at the end of the day.” 

“We want to serve students and make sure to show that [we] are an available resource.” 

Stuart added that she wants students to know they can reach out to the UPSA with their questions.

“We’re always a great first launching point if people have a question that they’re not exactly sure who to ask it to or where it’s relevant, it’s a good place to start with us.”