After several years of collaborating with Iowa State University, Jim Lang officially joins the college here this fall by using a speciality in exercise physiology – or knowing mechanics behind that this body responds to movement.
“He features a strong background in cardio exercises physiology in the microvascular area,” said Warren Franke, a professor and associate chair of kinesiology who directs the ISU Exercise Clinic. “He studies mechanisms which affect the flow of blood within the microvasculature, or the smallest vessels, on the epidermis.”
Lang brings that expertise to Iowa State as being a new assistant professor in kinesiology. He aims in making an impact along with his research.
“Changes in microvascular function precede much more serious vascular problems and eventually heart related illnesses,” he said. “We’d love to be in the position to capitalize a little bit more with that microvascular function aspect, and also detect some diseases on a very preclinical or early-disease stage.”
Nationally recognized research
Research findings by Lang are already recognized nationally by his peers.
A study by Lang and Kevin Smaller published in June by Experimental Physiology found out that oral supplementation of L-tyrosine – an amino acid familiar with produce noradrenaline and dopamine – may improve older adults’ ability to tolerate the cold.
“We have any preliminary data that shows if seniors take tyrosine before heading into the cold, that they may better maintain their core temperature during the cold,” he explained.
Lang presented those findings with the Wilderness Medical Society’s annual summer meeting held July 28 to Aug. 2 in Breckenridge, Colorado, where he was awarded best oral presentation.
Another study by Lang and Kelsey Kolb published in 2015 by way of the American Journal of Physiology – Heart and Circulatory Physiology found an original relationship between aging and angiotensin II – a chemical by the body processes that affects the obese individuals in a number of ways, including narrowing the problematic veins.
“What we’re finding is there’s greater reliance upon angiotensin II function inside the vessels of older women,” he was quoted saying. “That could be problematic and a second we are going to explore further. Accomplishes this explain partly the decline of cardiovascular protection after menopause?”
That article was featured because journal’s “editor’s pick.” Lang was invited to do a podcast interview with regards to the research with all the journal’s associate editor.
Collaboration between two campuses
Lang served as an assistant professor in physiotherapy at Des Moines University since 2013. She has been attached to Iowa State since 2014, holding a collaborative faculty appointment in kinesiology.
He and Franke perform the duties of co-major professors for your doctoral student. Actually is well liked works together kinesiology professor Rick Sharp on a year-long resistance exercise training intervention. Sharp’s study tests great and bad combining supplements and training for strength in seniors with low vitamin D levels.
Lang’s joining the college here enhances Iowa State’s relationship with Des Moines University, a medical school that prepares health practitioners. Lang said he offers continue collaborating with DMU while at Iowa State.
The move also brings Lang to the Research 1 university – seen as a doctoral university having the nation’s highest a higher level research activity, using the Carnegie Classification of Institutions better Education.
Taught in numerous other states
Lang has served to be a faculty member at several other universities. He was an assistant professor in movement science at Grand Valley State University in Michigan, a visiting assistant professor in allied health/kinesiology at Hendrix College in Arkansas, with an adjunct instructor at Waldorf University in Forest City.
“I had excellent mentorship in teaching,” Lang said. “This has been enriched by teaching in a clinical setting such as DMU. My fundamental goal as a student is ideal for them to understand and apply concepts through mechanistic thinking (i.e., learning-by-doing approach).”
Franke said Iowa State supplies a good environment for Lang, as his interests are strongly aligned with what the Department of Kinesiology does here.
“He likes doing research. He’s an efficient scholar,” Franke said. “But attractive has lots of experience in the classroom. He understands the price of teaching and mentoring the next generation. He understands the culture we have during the department. His transition here might be somewhat seamless.”
Lang’s research interests overlap with several Iowa State faculty members in kinesiology. Yet he brings a brand new perspective to the work, said Ann Smiley-Oyen, a co-employee professor who led Lang’s search committee.
“Another strength is when well he is applicable to our former pupils and how well he communicates like a teacher,” she said. “We anticipate him becoming a solid faculty member on all fronts.”
