Emily Lantz

Dr. Emily Lantz is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition Sciences and Health Behavior within the School of Health Professions at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). She also holds an adjunct appointment in Population Health & Health Disparities. Her academic journey includes a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Biochemistry from Iowa State University, a PhD in Nutrition Science from Purdue University, and a postdoctoral fellowship in skeletal muscle metabolism from UTMB's Division of Rehabilitation Science.

Dr. Lantz's research focuses on two primary areas: (1) the effects of physical inactivity on skeletal muscle mass and functional capacity in middle-aged and older adults, with particular emphasis on aging women, and (2) the application and mechanism of action of amino acid and protein consumption on acute markers of anabolism such as muscle protein synthesis. Her work bridges basic science with clinical applications, particularly in the areas of aging, women's health, and rehabilitation following periods of inactivity.

Analysis of Dr. Lantz's recent publications (2019-2025) reveals a strong emphasis on skeletal muscle physiology, protein nutrition, and sleep medicine. Her research demonstrates how physical inactivity impacts muscle metabolism and how nutritional interventions, particularly protein and amino acid supplementation, can mitigate these effects. More recently, her work has expanded to examine sleep quality in middle-aged women and its relationship to muscle recovery and functional outcomes.

Dr. Lantz serves as Principal Investigator on multiple active research projects, including 'Improving sleep quality in midlife women' funded by American Pistachio Growers, 'Behavioral Sleep Medicine: Training in Sleep and Aging' funded by the University of Pennsylvania, and 'SleepHab: Effectiveness of Healthy Sleep Habits for Hospitalized Older Adults to Optimize Rehabilitation' funded by Baylor College of Medicine. These projects reflect her expanding research interests that integrate sleep science with muscle physiology and rehabilitation.

• Improving sleep quality in midlife women (PI), American Pistachio Growers (6/10/25 → 6/9/27)
• Behavioral Sleep Medicine: Training in Sleep and Aging (PI), University of Pennsylvania (Award #5K24AG05560208) (6/1/25 → 5/31/26)
• SleepHab: Effectiveness of Healthy Sleep Habits for Hospitalized Older Adults to Optimize Rehabilitation (PI), Baylor College of Medicine (Award #5R01NR01834205) (4/5/19 → 11/30/22)

Dr. Lantz's laboratory work focuses on human skeletal muscle metabolism using advanced techniques including metabolomics, transcriptomics, and stable isotope methodology. Her team investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle disuse atrophy and recovery, with particular attention to nutritional countermeasures. Current research directions include examining sex differences in muscle responses to inactivity, the intersection of sleep quality and muscle recovery in aging populations, and translational applications of protein nutrition for maintaining muscle health during periods of reduced physical activity.