For their dedication to research, mentorship and contributions to the field of sports medicine, two Oklahoma State University professors have been recognized as distinguished Fellows of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

Dr. Bree Baker, an associate professor in the School of Kinesiology, Applied Health and Recreation, and Shane Hammer, an assistant professor in the school, recently earned fellow status from ACSM, the world's largest sports medicine and exercise science organization.

Comprised of nearly 50,000 members and certified fitness professionals, ACSM works to advance the science and practice of health and human performance. Fellowship recognizes members who have demonstrated professional achievement, meaningful service to the organization and a commitment to its long-term goals.

For Baker and Hammer, becoming fellows represents more than a career milestone or flashy title.

"It's an earned designation from ACSM that recognizes our commitment to investing back into the college, and that our work is recognized by our peers," Hammer said.

Both professors qualified through the research track, which recognizes accomplishments including research productivity, publications, presentations and engagement within the college.

Applicants for the ACSM Fellowship must meet several professional benchmarks before their applications are considered, including maintaining professional membership, attending ACSM annual meetings and receiving recommendations from two current fellows.

Meeting minimum qualifications alone does not guarantee advancement. Applications are reviewed holistically by the organization's Credentials Committee, which considers candidates' overall contributions and commitment to sports medicine and exercise science.

For Baker, the recognition comes alongside a career focused on understanding how exercise, aging and physical activity affect bone and muscle health.

As director of the Musculoskeletal Adaptations to Aging and eXercise Lab, known as the MAAX Lab, Baker leads research examining musculoskeletal health across the lifespan. Her team uses imaging tools, surveys and functional tests to study bone and muscle health.

Her research focuses on protecting the musculoskeletal system from injury and improving bone and muscle health among populations ranging from older adults at risk of falls to athletes at risk of stress fractures.

"The ultimate goal is always to protect the skeleton," Baker said.

The MAAX Lab also examines athletic performance, sleep quality, dietary needs and injury risk among athletes, first responders and older individuals.

Baker's involvement with ACSM has shaped how she views her own career.

She said she once believed becoming a fellow was reserved for researchers with extensive publications and millions of dollars in research funding.

"I was very mistaken when I thought the only way to become a fellow was to be this untouchable research scientist," Baker said.

After learning more about the fellowship process and receiving encouragement from other fellows, Baker realized the designation also recognizes mentorship, service and continued involvement with ACSM.

Hammer brings a different area of research expertise to the fellowship designation.

Hammer directs the Human Integrative Physiology Lab, where his research examines blood pressure regulation, how oxygen reaches skeletal muscle and how muscle function changes when oxygen supply is limited.

The courses he teaches are focused on human performance as well as clinical exercise testing and prescription.

Baker and Hammer share a commitment to mentorship and student success.

"Mentorship is a really important thing to both of us," Baker said. "We don't necessarily do it the exact same way, but we're always getting to the same endpoint.

"We care about our students deeply. Care about their success, on campus and off campus."

The professors each had unique experiences with ACSM mentors throughout their careers.

Hammer's mentors during his academic and professional career were ACSM Fellows, giving him examples of what professional involvement and leadership within the organization could look like.

"For me, earning a fellowship came with excitement for my students, because now they're going to be trained in that same environment," Hammer said. "Hopefully, they can see that we're doing things that matter. We're doing things that are being recognized."

Both professors hope their involvement with ACSM will continue to benefit students pursuing careers in exercise science, medicine, physical therapy and other health-related fields.

ACSM provides opportunities for students to receive recognition for their work through research grants and awards at the regional and national levels.

"What I love is that our students are getting awards for the things they're already doing," Hammer said. "They're not doing things because they want the specific award…it's just what we're asking them to do, and ACSM is recognizing it as award-worthy."

For Baker and Hammer, ACSM has become more than a professional organization. Both have been involved with the organization since their time as students and continue to attend conferences, collaborate with other professionals and expand their networks.

Baker described ACSM as a professional home where researchers and health professionals from around the world can connect through a shared goal of improving people's lives.

"Being a fellow is kind of like a commitment back to the college that we're going to keep investing in because it's given us a ton," Baker said.

That commitment aligns closely with the work both professors do at OSU.

Although their research examines different aspects of human health and performance, they share the goal of ensuring their work extends beyond the laboratory.

"The most important thing we do has nothing to do with our labs," Baker said. “It’s how we can impact peoples’ daily lives [through our research].”

Through research, mentorship and continued involvement with ACSM, Baker and Hammer hope to help apply exercise science research in practical ways that improve health and quality of life.

For both professors, being named ACSM Fellows is not the culmination of their work. Instead, the recognition represents a commitment to continue building on what they have already accomplished.

"It's continuing to grow in what you're doing," Hammer said. "They see our trajectories as being positive."

With their new designation, Baker and Hammer said they intend to continue giving back to the organization that helped shape their careers while investing in the students who will follow them.

Story By: Annie Ross | annie.ross@okstate.edu