Principal investigator
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Sandy Kawano
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, Clemson University (2014) B.S. in Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity; University of California - Davis, with a minor in Avian Sciences (2008) A.S. in Biological Sciences, De Anza College (2005) Twitter handle: @MorphoFun Email: sandy<dot>kawano<at>csulb.edu Click HERE for a copy of my CV. My research investigates the comparative physiology and biomechanics of animal movement, in ecological and evolutionary contexts, to address the origin and maintenance of morphological and functional diversity. Common research themes include: 1) the locomotor biomechanics across the fin-limb transition in vertebrate evolution, 2) morphological diversity driven by phenotypic selection, and 3) the ecomechanics of locomotion across different environments. My interdisciplinary research integrates empirical and theoretical approaches, including inverse dynamics, high-speed videography, materials science and engineering, statistics, mathematics, and computer modeling. |
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Graduate students
Caitlin Stapp
M.S. in Biology, Cal State Long Beach (2018 - present)
B.S. in Biology; Cal State Fullerton (2017)
Email: Caitlin<dot>Stapp<at>student.csulb.edu
I am really interested in applying biomechanics and physiology as tools to answer questions related to the form and function in different animals. As an undergraduate at CSUF, I led two independent research projects: one examining the material properties of armored fish scales and the other analyzing the sexual dimorphism of denticles on demersal and pelagic elasmobranch species. As a graduate student at CSULB, I aim to broaden my skill set and dive into the field of fish locomotion. Specifically, the main goal of my Master’s project is to explore the relationships between musculoskeletal anatomy and locomotor function of the walking batfish (Ogcocephalus cubifrons), a fish that performs aquatic substrate-based locomotion. I plan to integrate kinematic, kinetic, and mechanical property data to shed light on the functional similarities and differences between “walking” in fishes and tetrapods. My proposed work is interdisciplinary and combines practical techniques from biology, engineering, and materials science to help answer a fundamental question about animal physiology and locomotion: how does form contribute to function?
Professional service:
M.S. in Biology, Cal State Long Beach (2018 - present)
B.S. in Biology; Cal State Fullerton (2017)
Email: Caitlin<dot>Stapp<at>student.csulb.edu
I am really interested in applying biomechanics and physiology as tools to answer questions related to the form and function in different animals. As an undergraduate at CSUF, I led two independent research projects: one examining the material properties of armored fish scales and the other analyzing the sexual dimorphism of denticles on demersal and pelagic elasmobranch species. As a graduate student at CSULB, I aim to broaden my skill set and dive into the field of fish locomotion. Specifically, the main goal of my Master’s project is to explore the relationships between musculoskeletal anatomy and locomotor function of the walking batfish (Ogcocephalus cubifrons), a fish that performs aquatic substrate-based locomotion. I plan to integrate kinematic, kinetic, and mechanical property data to shed light on the functional similarities and differences between “walking” in fishes and tetrapods. My proposed work is interdisciplinary and combines practical techniques from biology, engineering, and materials science to help answer a fundamental question about animal physiology and locomotion: how does form contribute to function?
Professional service:
- 2018: Volunteer, "What can bones teach us about locomotion?" outreach event for AIMS Academy - David Starr Jordan High School; California State University, Long Beach.
Kevin Travis
M.S. in Biology, Cal State Long Beach (2017 - present)
B.S. in Marine Biology, with a minor in Mathematics; University of Tampa (2017)
Twitter handle: @KevinGTravis
Email: Kevin<dot>Travis<at>student.csulb.edu
I am broadly interested in investigating the relationship between form and function in marine vertebrates, with an emphasis on fish feeding and locomotion. Previously, I led a collaborative study on the feeding biomechanics of an enigmatic deep-sea fish by applying comparative morphology and computational techniques (http://bit.ly/TravisSICB2017). For my Master’s thesis, I will be expanding my research to investigate the biomechanics of aquatic and terrestrial locomotion in the amphibious epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum). The aim of this research is to determine how skeletal properties correlate with the locomotor mode in aquatic and amphibious fishes in order to evaluate the minimum requirements for moving on land. To accomplish this, I will be utilizing multi-disciplinary approaches in my research that integrates mathematical, engineering, and biomechanical techniques.
Honors and awards:
Professional service:
M.S. in Biology, Cal State Long Beach (2017 - present)
B.S. in Marine Biology, with a minor in Mathematics; University of Tampa (2017)
Twitter handle: @KevinGTravis
Email: Kevin<dot>Travis<at>student.csulb.edu
I am broadly interested in investigating the relationship between form and function in marine vertebrates, with an emphasis on fish feeding and locomotion. Previously, I led a collaborative study on the feeding biomechanics of an enigmatic deep-sea fish by applying comparative morphology and computational techniques (http://bit.ly/TravisSICB2017). For my Master’s thesis, I will be expanding my research to investigate the biomechanics of aquatic and terrestrial locomotion in the amphibious epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum). The aim of this research is to determine how skeletal properties correlate with the locomotor mode in aquatic and amphibious fishes in order to evaluate the minimum requirements for moving on land. To accomplish this, I will be utilizing multi-disciplinary approaches in my research that integrates mathematical, engineering, and biomechanical techniques.
Honors and awards:
- 2018: Stephen and Ruth Wainwright Endowed Fellowship and Adopt-A-Student Endowed Fund, Friday Harbor Labs ($2,500)
- 2018: CSULB Biotechnology Scholarship ($1,500)
- 2018: Los Angeles Rod and Reel Club Graduate Research Scholarship ($2,500). Featured in the July 2018 Chum Line newsletter: http://bit.ly/ChumLine18.
- 2017 - 2018: Steckling Graduate Student Tuition Award.
- 2017: Best Graduate Student Talk at the Southwestern Organismal Biology meeting at Claremont Colleges. Featured in the Society for Integrative Biology Division of Vertebrate Morphology Fall newsletter! http://sicb.org/newsletters/nl11-2017/DVM.pdf
Professional service:
- 2018: Co-leader, "What can bones teach us about locomotion?" outreach event for AIMS Academy - David Starr Jordan High School; California State University, Long Beach.
- 2018: Volunteer; National Biomechanics Day outreach event for Lakewood High School; California State University, Long Beach.
- 2017: Volunteer, "How do animals move?" outreach event for Cerritos College; California State University, Long Beach.
Undergraduate students
Jackie Macias
B.A. in Anthropology, with a minor in Forensic Studies, Cal State Long Beach (Anticipated graduation date: May 2021)
I am a sophomore anthropology student at CSULB, and I am in interested in studying morphology in both human and non-human animals, especially in relation to evolution. I am also passionate about studying the skeletal system in humans and applying that to the field of forensic science.
Professional service:
B.A. in Anthropology, with a minor in Forensic Studies, Cal State Long Beach (Anticipated graduation date: May 2021)
I am a sophomore anthropology student at CSULB, and I am in interested in studying morphology in both human and non-human animals, especially in relation to evolution. I am also passionate about studying the skeletal system in humans and applying that to the field of forensic science.
Professional service:
- 2018: Volunteer, "What can bones teach us about locomotion?" outreach event for AIMS Academy - David Starr Jordan High School; California State University, Long Beach.
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Dahlia Neri
B.S. in Biology, Cal State Long Beach (Anticipated graduation date: May 2019) I am a senior biology student at CSULB and my passion for animal science drives me to study the structure, function, and growth of living organisms. More specifically, I am interested in studying the skeletal system of animals and understanding how body structure affects their function. Professional service:
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Lab alumni
Undergraduate students
Kevin Martinez
B.S. in Biology, Cal State Long Beach (2018)
I am a senior biology student at CSULB and I am passionate about animals and molecular biology. I am especially interested in conservation biology and how climate change and agricultural practices are affecting biodiversity.
Presentations of lab research:
Professional service:
B.S. in Biology, Cal State Long Beach (2018)
I am a senior biology student at CSULB and I am passionate about animals and molecular biology. I am especially interested in conservation biology and how climate change and agricultural practices are affecting biodiversity.
Presentations of lab research:
- 2018: K. Martinez and S.M. Kawano. Investigating the relationship between locomotion and cross-sectional bone geometry in aquatic and terrestrial salamanders. College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Research Symposium. California State University, Long Beach. September 14, 2018. (Poster)
- 2018: K. Martinez and S.M. Kawano. How does bone shape relate to locomotion? Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation and Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Symposium. California State University, Long Beach. August 3, 2018. (Poster)
Professional service:
- 2018: Volunteer; National Biomechanics Day outreach event for Lakewood High School; California State University, Long Beach.
- 2017: Volunteer, "How do animals move?" outreach event for Cerritos College; California State University, Long Beach.
Miles Valencia
B.S. in Biology Education, Cal State Long Beach (2018)
A.A.’s in Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences, East Los Angeles College (2015)
Twitter handle: @MrMilesValencia
Email: Miles<dot>Valencia<at>student.csulb.edu
I am a post-baccalaureate student who is motivated to become a professor at a 4-year institution. I find ecomechanics intriguing and am interested in studying the relationship between form and function in musculoskeletal systems. I am particularly interested in addressing how locomotor performance is affected by muscle anatomy and physiology, and how these relationships change in different environments. My current research investigates the kinematic differences in salamander forelimbs by comparing how semi-aquatic adult Spanish ribbed newts (Pleurodeles waltl) and predominantly terrestrial adult tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) overcome a similar challenge: terrestrial locomotion. By better understanding how different environments affect the musculoskeletal system, we can build more ecologically relevant models of animal movement.
Presentations of lab research:
Award:
Professional service:
B.S. in Biology Education, Cal State Long Beach (2018)
A.A.’s in Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences, East Los Angeles College (2015)
Twitter handle: @MrMilesValencia
Email: Miles<dot>Valencia<at>student.csulb.edu
I am a post-baccalaureate student who is motivated to become a professor at a 4-year institution. I find ecomechanics intriguing and am interested in studying the relationship between form and function in musculoskeletal systems. I am particularly interested in addressing how locomotor performance is affected by muscle anatomy and physiology, and how these relationships change in different environments. My current research investigates the kinematic differences in salamander forelimbs by comparing how semi-aquatic adult Spanish ribbed newts (Pleurodeles waltl) and predominantly terrestrial adult tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum) overcome a similar challenge: terrestrial locomotion. By better understanding how different environments affect the musculoskeletal system, we can build more ecologically relevant models of animal movement.
Presentations of lab research:
- 2019: M. Valencia and S.M. Kawano. Comparative kinematics of the forelimb during terrestrial locomotion in semi-aquatic versus terrestrial salamanders. Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology national meeting. Tampa, FL. January 6, 2019. (Poster). Link to abstract: http://vps40083.inmotionhosting.com/~sicb/meetings/2019/schedule/abstractdetails.php?id=1377
- 2018: M. Valencia and S.M. Kawano. Biomechanical comparisons of forelimb function in walking semi-aquatic and
terrestrial salamanders. Southwest Organismal Biology meeting. CSU San Marcos. November 10, 2018. (Poster).
Award:
- 2019 Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Broadening Participation Travel Award ($500)
Professional service:
- 2018: Co-leader, "What can bones teach us about locomotion?" outreach event for AIMS Academy - David Starr Jordan High School; California State University, Long Beach.
Join the lab!
Are you also interested in studying the form and function of animals? If so, consider joining the lab! Please click HERE for important information about applying to the lab.
Photo credit for the portraits belong to Sean DuFrene / Photographer Marketing and Communications Long Beach State University. Copyright ©2017-2018, Long Beach State University, All Rights Reserved.
