| Andrew Lang | |
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Andrew Lang - Fall 2010
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| Born | 3 July 1970 Folkestone, Kent, England |
| Residence | United States |
| Nationality | United Kingdom |
| Fields | Mathematical physics Mathematics Physics Chemistry Science Fiction Philosophy of Science |
| Institutions | Oral Roberts University |
| Alma mater | University of Missouri University of Tulsa University of Kent |
| Doctoral advisor | Adam Helfer |
| Other academic advisors | Kevin O'Neil |
| Known for | Chemical Data Visualization in Virtual Worlds Open Science Advocacy Open Notebook Science Contributor The Spectral Game |
| Influences | Paul Davies Robert A. Heinlein |
| Notable awards | Project Next Fellow (2000) DaVinci Institute Prize (2010) |
Andrew Stuart Ian Donald Lang, PNF, FDI (born 3 July 1970) is a British mathematical physicist and Professor of Mathematics at Oral Roberts University. He has received a number of awards, including being named a 2010 DaVinci Institute Fellow for his groundbreaking work in virtual worlds.[1] He is an open science advocate and has published in many academic fields, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, and virtual worlds. He is also recognized for his expertise in the relationships between science and science fiction[2] and science and religion.
Lang is married to Kelly Jean Lang, with whom he has four children.
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Andrew Lang was born in Folkestone, Kent, on 3 July 1970 to Andrew Taig Lang, a nuclear power station construction engineer and Ann Alice Louise Seale. Shortly after Lang was born, the family moved to Lydd, Kent, near to where his father worked at the Dungeness nuclear power station, where he lived with his three older siblings, Robert, Dawn, and Peter, from his mother's previous marriage.
Lang attended Lydd Primary School from 1976 to 1982. From the age of twelve, he attended John Southland's Community Comprehensive School (now named The Marsh Academy) where he received A-levels in mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
Lang earned his B.Sc. in mathematical physics from the University of Kent, Canterbury in 1991, writing an undergraduate dissertation on “Stellar Evolution and Black Holes.” It was at Canterbury, that he met his future wife Kelly, a student at the University of Tulsa, who was studying for a year at Canterbury.
Lang earned his M.S. degree in applied mathematics from the University of Tulsa in 1993, writing a thesis on “Black Holes and Singularities,” under geometer Kevin O'Neil. Lang earned his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Missouri in 1998, writing a dissertation on “The Casimir Effect,” under mathematical physicist Adam Helfer.
In 1998, Lang joined Oral Roberts University as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics. While continuing research in quantum field theory he began collaborating with engineering professor Dominic Halsmer, deriving the optimal design for passive coning attenuators for spinning spacecraft under thrust.[3]
In 2003, he was promoted to Associate Professor. Around the same time he began working with Joerg Gablonsky, an engineer at Boeing, deriving the optimum angle to shoot a free throw.[4]
In 2007, he was promoted to Professor (having received tenure the previous year). His recent research has focused on virtual worlds[5] and the Open Notebook Science Challenge.
Lang is known for his ability to teach and do research in several academic disciplines. In his first twelve years at Oral Roberts University, he taught sixteen different classes in disciplines ranging from mathematics and physics to history and English.
Lang is a judge for the Open Notebook Science Challenge and publishes his related research online in as near to real time as possible. He has participated in other open science projects including the Open Dinosaur Project. He promotes the use of Open Data, particularly in science, is a member of the Blue Obelisk movement, and publishes in Open Access journals when possible.