Sharon M. Swartz
Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Chicago

My primary research interest is the function and evolution of the vertebrate skeletal system. I seek to better understand and interpret the tremendous diversity and range of adaptation in design of vertebrate, particularly the mammalian, skeletons. My approach uses principles and techniques of the physical sciences in combination with biology: I draw from engineering approaches to provide direct, empirical measurements of loads exerted on key regions of the skeleton of living animals, to distinguish those aspects of skeletal form that may have the greatest significance for mechanical performance, and to analyze the material properties of the tissues comprising the locomotor apparatus. However, my work differs from conventional biomedical engineering analyses in its fundamentally comparative perspective and in my focus on the natural biological significance of organisms' behaviors and morphology.

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