{"id":43,"date":"2018-09-13T16:57:15","date_gmt":"2018-09-13T16:57:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/astleylab\/?page_id=43"},"modified":"2025-10-05T13:35:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-05T13:35:08","slug":"lab-members","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/astleylab\/lab-members\/","title":{"rendered":"Lab Members"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PI

<\/span>
<\/div>
Henry<\/span> Astley<\/span><\/div>
Associate Professor<\/div>

Biomimicry Research & Innovation Center
Depts. of Biology & Polymer Science
CV<\/a>
Lab C301
Office C308
Office Phone: 330-972-8192
Aubrun Science Center
235 Carroll st.
Akron OH 44325-3908
Email:\u00a0hastley@uakron<\/a>.edu<\/a><\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Postdoctoral Researchers
<\/span>
<\/div>
Christine<\/span> Vega<\/span><\/div>
Postdoctoral Researcher<\/div>
Musculoskeletal Biomechanics of Snake LocomotionPh.D. in Biology from Wake Forest UniversityB.A. in Biology from Bucknell University<\/div>
\"Email\"<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Graduate Students
<\/span>
<\/div>
Kelsey <\/span> Garner<\/span><\/div>

Biomechanics of Snake Locomotion\u00a0<\/p>

IB Ph.D student\u00a0<\/p>

B.S. in Wildlife & Fisheries Science from Texas A&M University\u00a0<\/p>

M.S. in Biology from John Carroll University\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

\"Email\"<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
Jacob<\/span> Sherman<\/span><\/div>

Biomechanics & Biomimicry<\/p>

IB Ph.D. Student<\/p>

BS in Biology from Cleveland State University<\/p><\/div>

\"Email\"<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Zoha<\/span> Naqawe<\/span><\/div>

Biomechanics & Biomimicry<\/p>

IB Ph.D. Student<\/p>

BS in Biology & Physics from Georgia Institute of Technology<\/p><\/div>

\"Email\"<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Visiting Scholars
<\/span>
<\/div>
Benjamin<\/span> van Blerk<\/span><\/div>
Visiting Scholar from University of Southampton<\/div>
\"Email\"<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Undergraduate Students
<\/span>
Spencer<\/span> Bradford<\/span><\/div>

Turning in Snake Locomotion<\/p>

Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Outreach Animals
<\/span>
<\/div>
Penumbra<\/span> ("Penny")<\/span><\/div>

Taiwanese Beauty Snake (Orthriophis taeniura friesi<\/em>)<\/p>

Lab Mascot<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
Gumbo<\/span> <\/div>

Speckled Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula holbrooki<\/em>)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Eclipse<\/span> <\/div>

Jungle carpet python (Morelia spilota cheynei<\/em>)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Lab Aiumni (Postdoc)
<\/span>
<\/div>
Jessica<\/span> Tingle<\/span><\/div>
Asst. Prof at Brown University <\/div>
\"Webpage\"<\/a>\"Email\"<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Lab Alumni (Grad)
<\/span>
<\/div>
Stephen P.<\/span> Howe <\/span><\/div>
Ph.D.<\/div>

2016-2020 \u2013 Thesis: Biomechanics of Turning in Fish
PhD in Integrated Bioscience from University of Akron
BRIC Biomimicry Fellow
BS in Biology from Westmont College<\/p><\/div>

\"Email\"<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
Derek J.<\/span> Jurestovsky<\/span><\/div>
Ph.D.<\/div>

2017-2022 - Thesis: Snake Biomechanics and Locomotion
MS in Geosciences from East Tennessee State University
BS in Geology: Paleontology from Northern Arizona University<\/p><\/div>

\"Email\"<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Colleen<\/span> Unsworth<\/span><\/div>
Ph.D.<\/div>

2017-2022 - Thesis: Innovating All-Terrain Mobility Solutions for Access Equity Through Bio-Inspired Inclusive Design and Entrepreneurship<\/p>

BS in Biology from Grand Valley State University<\/p><\/div>

\"Email\"<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Kaelyn<\/span> Gamel<\/span><\/div>
Ph.D.<\/div>

2018-2023 Thesis - Biomechanics of Underwater Walking
MS & BA in Biology from New Jersey Institute of Technology<\/p><\/div>

\"Email\"<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
<\/div>
Charles "Sam"<\/span> Edwards<\/span><\/div>
Ph.D.<\/div>

Biomechanics of Burrowing<\/p>

M.A. in Applied Archaeology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (in progress)<\/p>

B.S. in Environmental Science\/Biology from Ashland University<\/p>

A.A.Science in Building\u00a0 Preservation and Restoration from Belmont College<\/p><\/div>

\"Email\"<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Lab Alumni (Technicians)
<\/span>
<\/div>
Sophia <\/span> Pinti<\/span><\/div>

Biomechanics of Underwater Walking
BS in Biology
from University of Akron 2017
Email: sgi2@uakron.edu<\/a><\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div> Lab Alumni (Undergrad)
<\/span>
Amith <\/span> Rao<\/span><\/div>

2016-2018 \u2013 Biomechanics of Tree Frog Jumping
Undergraduate
Major: Natural Science
Current Position: Medical School at NEOMED<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Hamna <\/span> Siddiqui<\/span><\/div>

Summer 2017 \u2013 Biomechanics of Tendons
REU student from Dennison University
Major: Chemistry<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Stephen<\/span> Adasonla<\/span><\/div>

Summer 2018 \u2013 Biomechanics of Tendons
REU student from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania
Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Emily <\/span> Trenka<\/span><\/div>

2016-2017 \u2013 Force Sensing Gels
Undergraduate
Major: Computer ScienceCurrent Position: Foundation Software<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Jennifer <\/span> McCoy<\/span><\/div>

Summer 2018 \u2013 Hydrodynamics of Crocodile Tail Serrations
RET Biology teacher for GlenOak High School in Canton
B.S. in Biology \u2013 U. of Akron (2008)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Dalia <\/span> Laredo<\/span><\/div>

Summer 2018 \u2013 Tendon Hysteresis in mice
REU Student from Carnegie Mellon
Major: Chemical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/span>
Christina <\/span> Lee<\/span><\/div>

Summer 2018 \u2013 Biomimetic Robotic Fish Turning
Summer student from Boston College
Major: Biology & Psychology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Sophie <\/span> Cressman<\/span><\/div>

2016-2018 \u2013 Biomechanics of Underwater Walking in Salamanders
Major: Biochemistry & Applied Math
Current Position:Vet School at OSU<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Dana <\/span> Cressman<\/span><\/div>

2016-2018 \u2013 Biomechanics of Underwater Walking in Salamander Robots
Major: Chemical Engineering
Current Position: Procter and Gamble<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
David <\/span> Leffler<\/span><\/div>

2017-2019 \u2013 Electromyography of Fish Turning
Major: Chemical Engineering
Current Position: Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Megan <\/span> Lee<\/span><\/div>

2017-2019 \u2013 Biomechanics of Underwater Walking in Salamanders
Major: Biology (Pre-Physical Therapy), Minor: Psychology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Walid <\/span> Abuhashim<\/span><\/div>

2017-2019 \u2013 Biomechanics of Preying Mantis Strikes
Major: Biomedical Engineering<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/span>
Nour<\/span> Shakaki<\/span><\/div>

2018-2019 - Hydrodynamics of Crocodile Tail Serrations<\/p>

Major: Psychology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Nicholas<\/span> Stricklen<\/span><\/div>

2018-2019 - Biomechanics of Fish Turning<\/p>

Major: Exercise Science<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Logan<\/span> Usher<\/span><\/div>

2018 - 2020 Vertical undulation in snakes
Major: Biology (pre-med)<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Andrew<\/span> Duff<\/span><\/div>

2018-2020 Bio-inspired Fish Robots
Major: Mechanical Engineering<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Tabitha<\/span> Cooper<\/span><\/div>

2019-2023 Underwater Walking in Salamanders
Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Nathaly<\/span> Cisneros<\/span><\/div>

2019-2020 - Tree Frog Adhesion<\/p>

Major: Biomedical Science<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/span>
Colton<\/span> Kemp<\/span><\/div>

2019-2020 Millipede-inspired Wheelchair
Major: Biomedical Engineering<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Wenli<\/span> Wu<\/span><\/div>

2020-2021 - Bioinspired Mobility Aids<\/p>

Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Kelly<\/span> Bryant<\/span><\/div>

2020-2021 Maneuverability in Fish
Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Ava<\/span> Umlauf<\/span><\/div>

2022-2023 Biomechanics of Underwater Walking<\/p>

Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Emily<\/span> Newenhisen<\/span><\/div>

2020-2023 - Biomechanics of Biting<\/p>

Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Dev<\/span> Patel<\/span><\/div>

2021-2022 - Biomechanics of Underwater Walking<\/p>

Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/span>
Sid<\/span> Joy<\/span><\/div>

2021-2022 - Snake Striking Biomechanics<\/p>

High School Student<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Jared<\/span> Pettay<\/span><\/div>

2022-2023 Biomechanics of Underwater Walking<\/p>

Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Kat<\/span> Lichti<\/span><\/div>

2022-2023 - Biomechanics of Biting<\/p>

Major: Engineering Technology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Andrew Preston<\/span> Kovac<\/span><\/div>

2020-2024 Hydrodynamic effects of crocodile tail serrations<\/p>

Major: Mechanical Engineering<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Daniel<\/span> Bartlett<\/span><\/div>

2023-2024 Biomechanics of Rockskipper Fish Jumping, Design of Force-sensing Pegs for Snake Biomechanics<\/p>

Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Ryan<\/span> Hogan<\/span><\/div>

2023-2024 - Biomechanics of Burrowing<\/p>

Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span><\/div><\/span>
Jacob<\/span> Newell<\/span><\/div>

2021-2023 Biomechanics of Burrowing<\/p>

Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
Ashley<\/span> Broadwater<\/span><\/div>

2024 - Density effects in Underwater Walking<\/p>

Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Sarvesh<\/span> Sudhaharan<\/span><\/div>

2023-2024 - Biomechanics of Burrowing<\/p>

Major: Biology<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Sophie<\/span> Kheder<\/span><\/div>

2023-2024 - Biomechanics of Burrowing<\/p>

Major: Biomedical Sciences<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/span>
Zachary<\/span> Nopper<\/span><\/div>

2020-2024 Biomechanics of Underwater Walking<\/p>

Major: Mechanical Engineering<\/p><\/div>

<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

PI Postdoctoral Researchers Graduate Students Visiting Scholars Undergraduate Students Outreach Animals Lab Aiumni (Postdoc) Lab Alumni (Grad) Lab Alumni (Technicians) Lab Alumni (Undergrad)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3763,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"showcase.php","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-43","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/astleylab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/astleylab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/astleylab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/astleylab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3763"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/astleylab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=43"}],"version-history":[{"count":72,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/astleylab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1460,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/astleylab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/43\/revisions\/1460"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.uakron.edu\/astleylab\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=43"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}