Swartz Research Lab Web-Page

My specific research objectives are: 1) to document directly the loads of experienced by the mammalian skeleton during natural behaviors; 2) to describe the morphology and mechanical properties of the skeleton in a functionally meaningful manner at a variety of organizational levels, and 3) to relate a detailed picture of mechanical usage to patterns of structural variation. At present, my efforts to achieve these broad goals are concentrated along two primary lines of inquiry. First, my lab is investigating how the wings of bats function in relation to their morphological organization, using a combination of materials testing, in vivo strain analysis, comparative morphometrics, and aerodynamic modeling approaches. These results will soon allow us to begin detailed studies of the historical patterns of diversification of flight modes and morphologies within bats.

Second, we ask what is the role and significance of trabecular bone tissue and how does its architecture reflect its mechanical function? We are applying experimental and finite element modeling approaches to study the behavior of individual trabeculae and of trabecular tissue as an aggregate, and are particularly interested in how the basic biology of this key skeletal tissue may differ in large-and small-bodied mammals.

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