Brooke Q
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at Brown University
Expertise
Biomechanics, organismal biology, anatomy, evolutionary biology, ecology
Bio
I'm a PhD student at Brown University in the department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, and I have a BS in Biology from Temple University. My current research focuses on the biomechanics of bat flight. I use a combination of methods including electromyography, high-speed videography, anatomical marker-tracking, and machine learning software to investigate how bats fly at the levels of muscle activity, flight kinematics, and sensory biology. Some of my previous research projects include studying the walking patterns and learning abilities of tarantulas, and hindlimb flexibility in vertebrates. I really enjoy being a mentor and watching those I mentor grow as students, researchers, and people. I'm very talkative, friendly, and super interested in talking about science with people. In my free time, I like to explore state parks with my rescue chihuahua mix, try different coffees, and cook new foods.Project ideas
Comparing muscle functions across species
How large is the pectoralis in humans for their body size, and how does that compare to the size of the pectoralis in frogs? Monkeys? Bats? What function does the muscle serve in each species? Why would muscle size vary between species? Do the attachment points vary as well? These are some possible questions that could be explored in a comparative study on any muscle of interest in any species of interest.
Characterizing gait types of household pets
At what point does a dog's movement transition from a walk to a run? What stride length and frequency do they use when walking vs. when running? For what portion of a single gait cycle are just two limbs on the ground? Questions like these could be explored with household pets or insects from your backyard using your phone's camera, some motion tracking software, and some practice coding.
Modeling trends in bat populations
Which states have the highest bat biodiversity? Are bat fatalities due to white nose syndrome more prevalent in New York or Pennsylvania? Is there a significant correlation between bat population declines and areas with wind turbines as the primary energy source? Similar questions about any number of species could be explored using open-source data and a coding platform for exploratory data analysis and visualization.