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.kawano@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
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:
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
Undergraduate students
Kevin Martinez
B.S. in Biology, Cal State Long Beach (Anticipated graduation date: December 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.
B.S. in Biology, Cal State Long Beach (Anticipated graduation date: December 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.
Lab alumni
Undergraduate students
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)
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.
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)
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.
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, Long Beach State University, All Rights Reserved.
