Biomechanics and Ornithology at Albright
Our group investigates biomechanics through dissection and computer modeling, and, in the future, possibly more avenues! We are also interested in anatomy, behavior, and physiology of birds and dinosaurs and science communication and outreach. We welcome all Albright students to join us, regardless of your major.
Current Lab Members
Kamaryn Koch, Class of 2023
2022 - Present
Kamaryn is interested in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of vertebrates. Kamaryn is actively dissecting specimens while working under an ACRE grant to conduct her research on the hearts of birds with different flying styles.
Samantha Seador, Class of 2023
2022 - Present
Samantha is interested in muscle physiology and is specifically interested in muscles of the leg. Currently Samantha is narrowing down topics to study.
Visiting Lab Members
Past Lab Members
Phuong Chau, Class of 2022
2021 - 2022
Phuong measured and described the teeth of bats representing a variety of diets and a number of different families in the Albright teaching collections. She has graduated and is looking forward to dental school.
Brigette Amendano, Class of 2022
2020 - 2022
Brigette conducted work mapping the trigeminal nerve in raptors. She presented at multiple conferences and hopes to publish her work. She is currently applying to medical schools.
Robert Schwartz, Class of 2021
2020 - 2021
Robert is interested in the tendon locking mechanism of birds and the muscles related to this function. Robert finished some exciting work on various raptor muscles and wrote a comprehensive senior thesis on perching and perching muscles during his senior year at Albright. Robert has recently been accepted to medical school.
Suzy Spriggs, Class of 2021
2020 - 2021
Suzy is interested in the bill tip organ, pathway of the trigeminal nerve, and neural nuclei associated with the trigeminal nerve and bill tip organ. Suzy wrote a very detailed description of the trigeminal nerve in the faces of 5 ducks, herons, and geese. Her nerve maps are serving as the basis for future undergraduate research here at Albright.