Professor Emeritus Angela B. Lange Honored as Fellow of the North American Society of Comparative Endocrinology

Renowned scholar Professor Angela B. Lange has been elected last January as a Fellow of the North American Society of Comparative Endocrinology (NASCE) in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the field. This esteemed honor highlights Professor Lange's profound expertise in comparative insect endocrinology and physiology and her significant impact on advancing our understanding of hormonal regulation in diverse organisms.

With an illustrious academic career spanning several decades, Professor Angela B. Lange has made remarkable strides in the field of comparative insect endocrinology. She obtained her B.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from York University in Toronto, Canada. In 1988, she was awarded an NSERC University Research Fellowship, bridging her to a tenure-stream faculty position in the Department of Biology at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). Her outstanding contributions and dedication to research led to her promotion to the position of full professor in 1996.

Throughout her tenure at the University of Toronto, Professor Lange has held various key administrative roles, including Chair of the Department of Biology, Vice-Dean for Undergraduate Teaching and Learning, Vice-Dean of the Faculty, and Acting Vice-Principal Academic & Dean at UTM. Her exceptional leadership and commitment to academic excellence have left an indelible mark on the university.

Internationally recognized for her pioneering research, Professor Lange has explored the intricate mechanisms underlying reproductive, metabolic, and cardiac physiology in insect model organisms. Her groundbreaking work has elucidated hormonal, synaptic, and neuromodulatory pathways governing these physiological processes. Notably, Professor Lange's studies on the role of octopamine and adipokinetic hormones as metabolic regulators during locust flight have provided crucial insights into lipid mobilization mechanisms.

Furthermore, Professor Lange has made significant contributions to identifying, characterizing, and localizing a variety of insect hormones and their receptors, many of which have counterparts in mammals. Among these are insulin-like peptides (insulin orthologs), adipokinetic hormone (GnRH), allatostatin-A (galanin), crustacean cardioactive peptide (neuropeptide S), SIFamide (GnIH), sulfakinin (cholecystokinin), and tachykinin-like peptides (substance P). Her extensive work on serotonergic and octopaminergic/tyraminergic signaling systems in insects has further enriched our understanding of these complex pathways and their relevance to vertebrate counterparts.

Professor Lange's groundbreaking research has been disseminated through over 180 scientific articles, 34 invited reviews and chapters in prestigious journals such as PNAS, Annual Review of Entomology, Gen. Comp. Endocrinol, and J. Comp. Neurology. Her scholarly contributions have garnered over 6,680 citations, underscoring the impact of her work. She boasts an impressive h-index of 42 and an i10-index of 161, reflecting the profound influence of her research within the scientific community.

In recognition of her outstanding accomplishments, Professor Lange was awarded the Gorbman-Bern Memorial Lectureship in 2021, further solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in comparative endocrinology. Throughout her career, she has mentored over 200 highly qualified individuals, many of whom have gone on to excel in various professional capacities as faculty members, medical professionals, industry leaders, and educators.

Professor Lange's exceptional expertise and contributions extend beyond her research endeavors. She has served as a member of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Grant Selection Committee for Biological Systems and Functions and the NSERC Herzberg Canada Gold Medal Selection Committee, the council's highest research honor. Currently, she holds the position of Associate Editor for Frontiers in Invertebrate Physiology and has been a member of the International Federation of Comparative Endocrine Societies Council since 2005, currently serving as the interim Vice-President. She was a founding member of NASCE in 2011 and recently concluded her role as Secretary. Additionally, Professor Lange represents NASCE in the European Society of Comparative Endocrinology.

The election of Professor Angela B. Lange as a Fellow of NASCE exemplifies her exceptional contributions, profound impact, and esteemed stature within the field of comparative endocrinology. Her groundbreaking research and dedication to advancing our understanding of hormonal regulation in insects and other organisms continue to inspire future generations of scientists and shape the trajectory of this fascinating discipline.