People

To date my research has focused on integrating morphological, physiological, behavioural and ecological aspects of the biology of aquatic animals in the context of biomechanics. Most of my work has been on fish locomotion particularly on the functional design, mechanics and energetics of rigid-bodied forms propelled by median and/or paired fins. My principle interest is in understanding the adaptations of these fish to low speed swimming in complex environments (e.g. coral reefs, kelp beds, etc.). My work to date has added substantially to our understanding of the diversity of fish form and movement in an ecological context. The use of fish locomotory designs as biomimetic models for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV’s) has added a novel and practical relevance to this work.

My current primary interests involve:

1. Median and/or paired fin propulsion which is common in fish that inhabit complex environments (e.g. coral reefs, kelp beds) where many body and caudal fin swimmers also employ fin-based propulsion for low speed swimming and hovering.

2. The combined use of computer science and biomechanics for their direct application to AUV.

3. Economics modelling for the fisheries industry by allowing technological advances to evolve through time (in collaboration with Dr. James Brander in Commerce).

4. The aspect ratio of fast swimmers and its effect on the kinematics and hydrodynamics in fish (in collaboration with Dr. Boye Ahlborn in Physics).