Faculty Profile

Biography

Dr. Lorenzo is Associate Professor of Physiology, Director of Student Assessment, and Director of Problem Based Learning.

He received his Ph.D. from the Department of Human Physiology (emphasis in Integrative Physiology) at the University of Oregon in the Spring of 2010 under the direction of Dr. Christopher Minson.  After receiving his doctorate degree, he greatly enhanced his mentoring and research skills working as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2010-2012) in the Cardiopulmonary Exercise Lab under the direction of Dr. Tony Babb, at the Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine with a joint appointment with the Department of Internal Medicine at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
His teaching interests have been fostered by several years of undergraduate and graduate teaching, and mentoring at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College.  At these very well respected institutions, he was fortunate to have the opportunity to teach a variety of Human Physiology courses, as well as Physical Education classes.  Moreover, his teaching spectrum has been greatly enhanced in his current faculty position at LECOM, where he am involved with classes in the College of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, and School of Pharmacy.  These experiences teaching such a variety of classes and disciplines at different academic levels have given Dr. Lorenzo the opportunity to interact with many different students and certainly enhanced my development as a teacher.  In addition to his interactions with students as a teacher, his dissertation project provided him with the opportunity to work one-on-one with the undergraduate and junior graduate students working in the laboratory (“teaching from the benchtop”) to develop his mentoring skills.

He has been involved in a number of research projects focused on exercise physiology. This vast research experience has expanded his knowledge and skills that can further improve the quality of teaching.  The success and productivity of his research is exemplified by his peer-review publication record.

As a former Olympian in track and field, he was very often seen as a role model, which further enriched his experiences and mentoring skills.  Moreover, his training and competition at the world-class level has given him truly unique experiences that helped his development of ideas as a scientist interested in exercise physiology and performance testing.

Publications

Zhao J, Lorenzo S, An N, Feng W, Lai L, Cui S (2013). Effects of heat and different humidity levels on aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance in athletes. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness 11, 35-41.

Lorenzo S & Babb TG (2013). Ventilatory Responses at Peak Exercise in Endurance-trained Obese Adults. Chest (in press).

Bernhardt V, Lorenzo S, Babb TG, Zavorsky, GS (2013).  Corrected End-Tidal PCO2 Accurately Estimates PaCO2 at Rest and During Exercise in Morbidly Obese Adults. Chest 143(2), 471-477.

Lorenzo S & Babb TG (2012). Exercise physiology in obese subjects: Respiratory Function. In: Exercise therapy in adult obesity. Ed. Hansen D. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Hauppauge, NY.

Lorenzo S & Babb TG (2012). Quantification of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Healthy Nonobese and Obese Men and Women. Chest 141(4), 1031-1039.

Lorenzo S & Babb TG (2012).  Oxygen Cost of Breathing and Breathlessness during Exercise in Nonobese Women and Men. Med  Sci Sports Exerc 44(6):1043-1048.

Narang N, Gore MO, Snell PG, Ayers CR, Lorenzo S, Carrick-Ranson G, Babb TG, Levine BD, Khera A, de Lemos JA, McGuire DK (2011).  Accuracy of estimating resting oxygen uptake and implications for hemodynamic assessment. The American Journal of Cardiology 109(4), 594-598

Lorenzo S, Minson CT, Babb TG, Halliwill JR (2011). Lactate threshold predicting time-trial performance: impact of heat and acclimation. J Appl Physiol 111(1), 221-7.

Lorenzo S & Minson CT (2010). Heat Acclimation Improves Cutaneous Vascular Function and Sweating in Trained Cyclists. J Appl Physiol 109(6), 1736-43.

Lorenzo S, Halliwill JR, Sawka MN, Minson CT (2010). Heat Acclimation Improves Exercise Performance. J Appl Physiol 109(4), 1140-7.

Wolak A, Slomka PJ, Fish MB, Lorenzo S, Acampa W, Berman DS, Germano G (2008). Quantitative myocardial-perfusion SPECT: comparison of three state-of-the-art software packages. J Nucl Cardiol 15,27-34.

Wolak A, Slomka PJ, Fish MB, Lorenzo S, Berman DS, Germano G (2008). Quantitative diagnostic performance of myocardial perfusion SPECT with attenuation correction in women. J Nucl Med 49, 915-922.

Cracowski JL, Lorenzo S, Minson CT (2007). Effects of local anaesthesia on subdermal needle insertion pain and subsequent tests of microvascular function in human. Eur J Pharmacol 559, 150-154.

Lorenzo S & Minson CT (2007). Human cutaneous reactive hyperaemia: role of BKCa channels and sensory nerves. J Physiol-London  585, 295-303.

Slomka PJ, Fish MB, Lorenzo S, Nishina H, Gerlach J, Berman DS, Germano G (2006). Simplified normal limits and automated quantitative assessment for attenuation-corrected myocardial perfusion SPECT. J Nucl Cardiol 13, 642-651.

Abstracts

Bhammar DM, Bernhardt V, Lorenzo S, Moran RB, Bassett JT, Pineda JN, Genovese JP, Babb TG. Weight Loss via Diet and Resistance Exercise Improves Exercise Breathing Mechanics in Obese Women. American College of Sports Medicine. Orlando, FL.  May 2014.

Bhammar DM, Bernhardt V, Lorenzo S, Moran RB, Bassett JT, Pineda JN, Genovese JP, Babb TG. Modest weight loss significantly reduces oxygen cost of breathing in obese women. American Thoracic Society. San Diego, CA.  May 2014.

Bernhardt V, Moran RB, Bassett JT, Lorenzo S, Pineda JN, Genovese JP, Babb TG. Weight loss reduces dyspnea on exertion in obese women independent of improvement in respiratory function.  American Thoracic Society. San Diego, CA.  May 2014.

Bernhardt V, Moran RB, Bassett JT, Lorenzo S, Pineda JN, Babb TG. Voluntary hyperpnea in obese women with vs. without dyspnea on exertion.  American Thoracic Society. San Diego, CA.  May 2014.

Pineda JN, Bernhardt V, Lorenzo S, Moran RB, Bassett JT, Haller SF, Babb TG. Similar body composition and fat distribution between obese women with vs. without dyspnea on exertion.  Abstract for poster presentation.  American College of Sports Medicine. Indianapolis, IN.  May 2013.

Bernhardt V, Lorenzo S, Moran RB, Bassett JT, Haller SF, Pineda JN, Babb TG.  Oxygen cost of breathing does not differ between obese women with vs. without dyspnea on exertion.  Abstract for poster presentation.  American College of Sports Medicine. Indianapolis, IN.  May 2013.

Bassett JT, Bernhardt V, Lorenzo S, Moran RB, Haller SF, Pineda JN, Babb TG.  Peak oxygen uptake differs between obese women with vs. without dyspnea on exertion.  Abstract for poster presentation.  American College of Sports Medicine. Indianapolis, IN.  May 2013.

Moran RB, Bernhardt V, Lorenzo S, Bassett JT, Haller SF, Pineda JN, Babb TG.  Pulmonary function does not differ between obese women with and without dyspnea on exertion.  Abstract for poster presentation.  American College of Sports Medicine. Indianapolis, IN.  May 2013.

Babb TG, Moran RB, Bassett JT, Haller SF, Lorenzo S, Bernhardt V, Pineda J.  The effects of obesity on lung volumes: Importance of reference equations.  Abstract for poster presentation.  European Respiratory Society. Viena, Austria.  September 2012.

Babb TG, Moran RB, Bassett JT, Haller SF, Lorenzo S, Bernhardt V, Pineda J.  The effects of obesity on spirometry: Importance of race and ethnic specific reference equations.  Abstract for poster presentation.  European Respiratory Society. Viena, Austria.  September 2012.

Lorenzo S, Bassett JT, Moran RB, Pineda J, Babb TG.  Minimal Changes in Breathing Mechanics at Peak Exercise in Endurance-trained Obese Individuals.   Abstract for poster presentation.  American College of Sports Medicine. San Francisco, CA.  May 2012.

Bernhardt V, Straub AM, Lavin KM, Lorenzo S, Babb TG, Zavorsky GS.  Arterial PCO₂ (PaCO₂) can be accurately estimated using end-tidal PCO₂ (P_ETCO₂) during rest and exercise in obese subjects.  Abstract for poster presentation.  Experimental Biology.  San Diego, CA.  May 2012.

Babb TG, Moran RM, Bassett JT, Haller SF, Lorenzo S. Rating of Perceived Breathlessness during Constant Load Cycling In Nonobese Men and Women Is Similar and Unrelated to the Oxygen Cost of Breathing.  Abstract for poster presentation.  American Thoracic Society International Conference.  Denver, CO.  May 2011.

Lorenzo S, Moran RM, Bassett JT, Haller SF, Babb TG. Quantification of Cardiorespiratory Fitness: Obese vs. Normal Weight Individuals.  Abstract for poster presentation.  Experimental Biology.  Washington, DC.  April 2011.

Narang N, Odette Gore M, Snell PG, Ayers CR, Lorenzo S, Carrick-Ranson G, Babb TG, Khera A, de Lemos JA, McGuire DK.  Substantial Error in Estimation of Oxygen Consumption: Implications for Clinical Hemodynamic Assessment.  Abstract for poster presentation, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism / Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention 2011 Scientific Sessions.  Atlanta, GA.  March 2011.

Lorenzo S, Sawka MN, Minson CT. Heat acclimation induces peripheral modification in cutaneous vascular function in humans.  Abstract for poster presentation.  Experimental Biology.  Anaheim, CA.  April 2010.

Lorenzo S, Miller D, Halliwill JR, Sawka MN, Minson CT.  Heat acclimation improves central cardiac function and performance variables in cool environments.  Abstract for poster presentation.  Experimental Biology.  Anaheim, CA.  April 2010.

Lorenzo S, Miller D, Halliwill JR, Sawka MN, Minson CT. Heat acclimation improves central cardiac function and performance variables in cool environments. Abstract for platform presentation.  American College of Sports Medicine Northwest Chapter.  Portland, OR.  March 2010.

Wolak A, Slomka PJ, Fish MB, Gerlach J, Lorenzo S, Berman DS, Germano G.  Attenuation-correction does not improve quantitative diagnostic performance of myocardial perfusion SPECT in women.  Abstract for poster presentation.  80th Annual Scientific Session of the American-Heart-Association. Orlando, FL.  November 2007.

Cracowski JL, Lorenzo S, Minson CT.  Effects of local anaesthesia on subdermal needle insertion pain and subsequent tests of microvascular function in human.  Meeting abstract.  Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology.  June 2007.

Invited Symposium & Keynote Lectures

1. Speaker, Chivas F.C. Pre-season Training Camp.  “Training and competing at the World Class level.  What does it take to become an Olympian?” Gainesville, GA. July 2014.
2. Speaker, International Sports Science Symposium.  “Heat acclimation as an ergogenic aid for cool weather performance”. Eugene, OR. June 2014.
3. Speaker, Maximum Speed Athletics ‘Elite’ National Track and Field Clinic.  “Care of the Track and Field Athlete: Environmental and Hydration Effects on Training & Competition”. Tampa, FL. December 2013.

Speaker, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Works in Progress.  “Respiratory constraints during exercise in endurance trained obese individuals”. Dallas, TX. February 2012.

Speaker, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Works in Progress.  “Dyspnea on exertion in obese women:  Effects of weight loss”. Dallas, TX. June 2011.

Speaker, Trainee Highlight Breakfast from APS Respiratory Section, “Quantification of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Obesity”. Experimental Biology, Washington DC. April, 2011.

Speaker, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Works in Progress.  “Quantification of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Obesity”. Dallas, TX. November 2010.

Speaker, American College of Sports Medicine (Northwest Chapter). “Heat acclimation improves central cardiac function and performance variables in cool environments”. Portland, OR. March 2010.

Speaker, Evonuk Environmental Physiology dedication. “Mechanisms of Heat Acclimation and Exercise Performance”. Eugene, OR. February 2010.

Speaker, Care of the Track and Field Athlete, Slocum Research and Education Foundation. “Environmental Effects on Training & Competition”. Eugene, OR. June 2008.

Speaker, Big Training Weekend, National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association (NISOA). “An Olympian’s View of Fitness”. Beaverton, OR. May 2008.

Extracurricular Activities

Competitive Athletics (decathlon)

Member of the University of Oregon Track and Field Team (1999-2003)

• Two-time Pac-10 Champion (2001 and 2003)
• 2001 NCAA Champion
• 2003 Most Outstanding Male Athlete of the year (entire University)
• NCAA male Athlete of the Week (May 2003)
• Two-time Most Valuable Athlete of the Year (2001 and 2003)
• Two-time All American Athlete (2000 and 2001)
• Five-time honored Pac-10 Athlete of the Week

Member of the Argentina’s National Track and Field Team (1994-2007)

• Member of the 2004 Olympic National Team (Athens, Greece. 2004)
• 24^th place in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games (Athens, Greece. 2004)
• Winner in the decathlon’s 1500 meters in the 2004 Olympics (Athens, Greece)