My research explores the role of locomotion in vertebrate evolution. In particular, through biomechanics, I investigate how the laws and principles of physics relate to the anatomy of limbs and whether those laws and principles can potentially influence the evolution of adaptations for locomotion. In other words, how do the forces at play during locomotion (e.g., running, climbing, swimming, etc.) influence the structure of muscles and bones?

Most of my work has focused on mammals, but I have also worked on (non-avian) dinosaurs and birds, and my work has examined the relevance of limb size and shape for locomotion and how differing aspects of muscles and bones together form adaptations for locomotion. A hallmark of my research is the use of research collections in natural history museums, collections which are also a gateway to many of my poems.

My research has been funded by the German Research Foundation and the National Science Foundation, and my work has been published in journals such as Science Advances, Journal of Experimental Biology, and Journal of Morphology. Below are select publications that rank among my favorite past studies, but you can read more about my research here.