The department currently has thirteen permanent faculty members, and is in the process of expanding by one more position. The department routinely supports six to eight doctoral students. The low student-professor ratio insures that a personal, one-on-one approach to training is always maintained.

Physiology faculty members display a wide range of educational specialties and research interests. In addition to teaching physiology to medical and graduate students, faculty members also provide a valuable instructional resource to programs offered through other departments at East Carolina University, including Nursing and Allied Health. Faculty members are also active in mentoring master's candidates enrolled in various science-oriented programs at East Carolina University.

East Carolina University is a part of the University of North Carolina system. Founded in 1906, primarily as a teachers college, ECU is currently the third largest university in North Carolina and supports a total enrollment of about 17,000 students. ECU offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in both liberal arts and in the sciences.

The Brody School of Medicine was founded in the early 1970's. This year's freshman class is comprised of over eighty students. Located adjacent to Pitt County Memorial Hospital, the Medical School enjoys a close working relationship with the hospital, which is the regional health care facility for the eastern North Carolina area.