Research Interests

Research in the Combes Lab focuses on the physical interaction between flying insects and their environment, and on how physiology, morphology and behavior contribute to the performance of ecologically relevant flight behaviors. Our work combines lab-based flight biomechanics with field-based insect ecology to understand the physical foundations of diverse, natural flight behaviors. Projects in the lab explore topics such as flexible wing morphology, the mechanics of aerial predator-prey interactions, flight through cluttered environments, causes and consequences of wing damage, and the effects of turbulent airflow on flight stability.

Graduate Program Affiliations

• Animal Behavior Graduate Group
• Entomology Graduate Program
• Neuroscience Graduate Group