About Me

I’m an assistant professor in anatomy and physiology at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. I teach human anatomy and physiology courses, as well as a non-majors human biology course and a first year seminar in the biology of monsters. My research interests include biomechanics, functional morphology, and physiology of reptiles and amphibians, with a special focus on plethodontid salamanders and their climbing performance.

Previously, I worked as a postdoctoral research associate in the lab of Dr. Thomas Roberts at Brown University. I studied the effect of shape change and osmotic pressure on muscle passive tension properties in mice, and how the muscle extracellular matrix impacts power amplification in Cuban treefrogs.

My dissertation work at the University of South Florida with Dr. Stephen Deban was on clinging and climbing in salamanders. I studied the variation in cling performance across family Plethodontidae, the effect of biologically relevant surface variables, such as roughness and wetness, on climbing kinematics and adhesion, and the biological attachment mechanisms used by some salamanders in their spectacular climbing performances.

I am interested in scientific communication, evidence-based science education practices, and community outreach and inclusion using citizen science initiatives. I’m also an amateur nature photographer, avid reader of fiction, and a big fan of snakes.

Specialized Skills

Electromyography (EMG)

High speed videography

Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV)

Sterile surgery

Sonomicrometry

Biplanar fluoroscopy

Computed tomography (CT)