At the heart of the Patek Lab’s research program is the pursuit of interdisciplinary principles underlying ultrafast, latch-mediated spring actuated systems. By studying this class of mechanical systems, we achieve interdisciplinary translation and establish general principles about the evolutionary biomechanics of organisms. As scientific explorers, educators, and agents for social change, we reach for new understanding of the mechanics and evolution of life surrounding us, whether on land or in the ocean. We situate this work in interdisciplinary frameworks as well as the broader evolutionary history extending the hundreds of millions of years that our focal organisms have lived on the planet.
Why does this research program matter? Knowledge of our biological world enhances the quality of our lives by offering new ideas, understanding, and inspiration from the organisms around us. The essence of being human is to experience the pleasure of knowledge, new perspectives, surprises, and a deeper view into history and life. Integral to this effort, we build bridges among disciplines to promote new discoveries and to explain our research in a way that informs interdisciplinary basic and applied research, and, of equal importance, knowledge available to the general public. At every juncture in research, teaching, and service, we work toward structural change to achieve equity, access, and transparency in academic research and education.
