About

Our research examines the biomechanics and aerodynamics of movement through terrestrial and aerial environments, in relation to an animal's underlying neuromuscular physiology. We do so by linking laboratory experiments to environmentally relevant  locomotive movement. We seek to identify fundamental principles of animal movement and structure-function relationships that have been favored by natural selection. Current lab projects include studies of how walking and running animals maintain stability when perturbed; how the in vivo dynamics of muscle-tendon function links to functional requirements for stable and economical movement; how muscle models can be improved to provide more robust simulations of animal and human movement; how birds integrate visual information to avoid obstacles and maneuver through cluttered environments; how grebes run on water; and how the locomotor behavior of jerboas reduces their predation risk.