People
Elizabeth (Betsy) R. Dumont - P.I.
My research program addresses the interactions among anatomy, behavior and ecology in the evolution of mammals. The earliest mammals were tiny, insect-eating creatures. From these unremarkable ancestors, the history of mammals is largely a story of diversifying in ways that allow them to exploit a wide array of food resources. The anatomy, behavior and ecology of feeding are integrally related and have interacted over evolutionary time to give rise to over 4,600 species of mammals we see today. The main goal of my research is to identify and understand patterns and processes surrounding these interactions. I accomplish this through two separate but complementary kinds of studies: those that document associations among anatomy, behavior, and ecology in the field, and those that harness tools from engineering to explore the underlying mechanisms that link them.
bdumont"at"bio.umass.edu CV
topPost-Docs
Julian Davis - Postdoctoral Researcher
I received my Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from Virginia Tech in 2007. For my dissertation, I studied the connection between form and function of the utricle, an otoconia organ in the inner ear that contributes to one's sense of balance. Using a combination of finite element (FE) models constructed from confocal microscope images and typical engineering analysis techniques, I was able to uncover the effect of utricular structure on the mechanical response of this organ. This research sparked an interest and passion to explore the mechanics of biological structures. Using FE modeling in conjunction with modern imaging techniques and engineering analysis, I hope to contribute to the effort to answer questions on form, function and ecology through mechanics. Of particular interest to me are investigations pertaining to skull mechanics and the otoconia organs that make up the vestibular system.
jldavis"at"ecs.umass.edu CV
Jaime Tanner - Postdoctoral Researcher
My main research interests lie in understanding the relationship between form and function in biological organisms in order to gain insight into the selective pressures that mold the ecology and evolution of species. In particular I am interested in the way that form/function relationships change throughout development. My research takes an integrative approach, combining behavioral, morphological and performance data to understand ontogenetic shifts in members of the Order Carnivora. My dissertation research focused on developmental changes in skull morphology and feeding behavior in the spotted hyena and, currently, we are seeking funding to investigate the effect of sociality on the link between fitness and performance in two members of the Family Herpestidae, meerkats and yellow mongoose.
jtanner"at"bio.umass.edu CV Website
topGrad Students
Tom Eiting - PhD Candidate
In general, my main interests lie in understanding the evolution of form and function in mammals. Bats make an excellent group to study the form-function relationship among mammals because they are species-rich and they are morphologically and ecologically diverse. In particular, I am interested in the morphology and functional demands of the nasal passages of bats. Like most other mammals, the bat nose serves important respiratory and olfactory functions. Unlike other mammals, however, several groups of bats also transmit high-frequency echolocation calls through their noses. This novel function likely has morphological and functional demands on the internal passages of the nose. Using anatomical data, computational fluid dynamics, and phylogenetic comparative methods, my research focuses on testing ideas regarding morphological optimization and functional trade-offs in the nasal passages of bats.
tpeiting"at"bio.umass.edu CV Website
Sharlene Santana - PhD Candidate
I am interested in understanding ecomorphological patterns and processes, in particular those surrounding adaptive radiations. For my dissertation research, I use Neotropical leaf-nosed bats (phyllostomids) as a model system to study the interplay among morphology, performance and behavior associated with the outstanding dietary diversification of these bats. My research integrates performance and behavior data gathered in the field with state of the art techniques for analyzing morphology and evolutionary patterns. With this approach, I expect to provide new insights into the evolution of ecological specialization in bats and, by extension, other mammals.
ssantana"at"bio.umass.edu CV Website
topTechs / Undergrads
Dan Pulaski - Modelling Technician
I've come to the Dumont lab from the Information Technology/Services field. Prior to coming here, I have spent a number of years in the industry and spent a year teaching at Franklin County Technical School. My work in the lab involves the actual modeling of specimens from CT Data, all the way to solid meshing for FEA. This allows the researchers in the lab to focus on research, as opposed to spending days/weeks in front of a computer generating the models.
pulski"at"gmail.com
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