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
Brigette Amendano, Class of 2022
2020 - Present
Brigette is currently interested in continuing the work of mapping the trigeminal nerve in raptors. This work will be compared to existing maps of the trigeminal nerve made by previous students in the lab as well as the literature.
Phuong Chau, Class of 2022
2021 - Present
Phuong is interested in effects of posture and gravity on dentition. Phuong is beginning a project to measure and describe the teeth of bats representing a variety of diets and a number of different families in the Albright teaching collections.
Kamaryn Koch, Class of 2023
2022 - Present
Kamaryn is interested in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of vertebrates. Currently Kamaryn is studying the literature and developing a project concerning comparative anatomy of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Kamaryn will begin actively dissecting specimens over the summer months and has been awarded an ACRE grant to conduct research.
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
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.