ABLE lab @ William Paterson University

Lab PI Dr. Joseph Spagna Phone: 973-720-2793 E-mail: SpagnaJ@wpunj.edu Office: Science Hall, Room 511A Lab: Science Hall 504

ABLE lab studies Arthropod Biomechanics, Locomotion, and Evolution

This lab is dedicated to exploring and solving the mysteries of animal movement, in the context of evolutionary biology. Our study organisms are arthropods, including- but not limited to- ants and spiders. The spider above is running on a challenging surface- a mesh where 90% of the ground surface has been removed.

Concept, Methods and Student Participation

Arthropods are by far the most diverse animal group on Earth, and have evolved a variety of methods for moving through their environments.  Improvements in scientific methodology and instrumentation allow us to study both the pattern of evolution (through phylogenetic “tree-building” and tree-based comparative methods) and processes and resulting phenomena (such as running and jumping performance, via high-speed videography).

Students:  The lab welcomes WPU students who would like to work on established projects, or explore their own ideas.  Results from high-quality student projects may be presented at local and national scientific meetings, and be included in peer-reviewed journal articles with contributing students as co-authors.

Current Research Students:

Kameron Fazelpoor

Tara Graham

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