Jordan Balaban

Dr. Jordan Balaban is a Lecturer in the Biology Department at Barnard College, joining the faculty in Fall 2021. His research focuses on comparative physiology, particularly how environmental temperature impacts muscle function across ecological scales. He teaches courses in organismal and evolutionary biology, cellular/molecular biology, and guided research seminars.

Education:

• B.S. and M.S., University of Rhode Island
• Ph.D., University of California, Irvine
• Postdoctoral Training, University of Leeds, UK

Research Interests: Dr. Balaban investigates thermal physiology, biomechanics, and muscle function in ectotherms. His work explores how temperature shifts influence muscle performance, energy storage mechanisms, and behavioral adaptation in species like lizards and sharks. Key areas include:

• Muscle atrophy mitigation strategies
• Elastic energy storage in locomotion
• Thermal constraints on skeletal muscle

Publication Trends: Recent work emphasizes lizard thermal adaptation, shark feeding mechanics, and burrowing behavior in marine species. Studies often bridge physiology and ecology, with methodological strengths in muscle biomechanics and thermal performance analysis.

Teaching & Advising: Balaban oversees senior thesis research and guided lab courses, fostering student engagement in experimental biology. No formal student names are listed in current records.