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The iliotibial band (ITB) is a complex structure that is unique to humans among apes and is derived from the fascia lata (FL) of the thigh. Although the ITB evolved in the hominin lineage, it is unclear whether it evolved to improve locomotor economy, increase stability, or serve a different function. This dissertation tests the hypothesis that the ITB stores and recovers elastic energy during walking and running., Human Evolutionary Biology

Low speed avian maneuvering flight is an ecologically crucial behavior that has contributed to the explosive diversification of several avian taxa by allowing access to complex spatial environments. Negotiating a sharp aerial turn requires finely tuned interactions between an animal's sensory-motor system and its environment. My thesis work focuses on how aerodynamic forces, wing and body dynamics, and sensory feedback interact during aerial turning in the pigeon (Columba livea).