Benjamin Wasiljew, Ph.D.

Mentor: Prof. Dr. Austin Garner

Affiliation: Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Ben is a functional morphologist who is interested in the evolution and function of adaptive traits that allow vertebrates to exploit their habitat; especially in adaptive radiations. He investigates those traits using diverse imaging methods such as SEM, X-ray imaging, µ-CT scanning and high-speed videography. Currently, he focuses on the functional morphology of attachment in geckos and anole lizards. His goal is to explain how claws and adhesive toepads work synergistically to enable clinging on different substrates.