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
Kathryn Baptiste, Class of 2024
2022 - Present
Kathryn is interested in muscle physiology and is specifically interested in muscles of the wing. Currently Kathryn is dissecting wings, measuring muscles, and generating data to conduct PCSA estimates. Her work helped to inform Samantha Seador's models in Blender. Since Samantha graduated, Kathryn has taken over the models and is fine tuning muscle placement and shape with hopes to animate the flight of a Barn owl (Tyto alba).
Kassidy Filosa, Class of 2024
2023 - Present
Kassidy is using models to print 3D skulls and interpreting layers of tissue. Kassidy will soon be sculpting layers of tissue onto the skull to make a representation of the living head. She is currently sculpting theropod and hadrosaur heads.
Isabelle Geisler, Class of 2024
2023 - Present
Isabelle is working on respiration and lungs in birds. She is comparing the lungs and air sacs in a variety of birds.
Visiting Lab Members
Past Lab Members
Samantha Seador, Class of 2023
2022 - 2023
Samantha is interested in muscle physiology and is specifically interested in muscles of the wing. Currently Samantha is sculpting muscles and learning how to animate the flying motion of the wings in Blender. She is working with Kathryn to build anatomically correct and well-informed models.
Drew MacDonald, Class of 2023
2023 - 2023
Drew is currently re-writing case study assessments in human anatomy and physiology courses. He is using game design principles and processes in conjunction with medically relevant information from multiple case studies to build an immersive experience for students investigating and solving medical case studies as a part of their course experience.
Kamaryn Koch, Class of 2023
2022 - 2023
Kamaryn is interested in the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of vertebrates. Kamaryn dissected specimens while working under an ACRE grant to conduct her research on the hearts of birds with different flying styles. She presented her findings as a poster at Albright and during the virtual session of the meeting of the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology in 2022. Kamaryn has graduated and is applying to physician's assistant programs
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 while working on a master's degree in medical sciences at Boston University.
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.