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Heliconius charithonia 3rd-5th instar
About Me
I am a third-year biomedical engineering major with a minor in entomology, and I love all things zoology and biology! I am passionate about insect biomechanics and intend on pursuing a PhD in that subject. My current interests include investigations into sclerotization pathways in insect cuticle and understanding various adhesion techniques employed by insects. My life goal is to run my own insect biomechanics lab, create custom equipment for said lab, and design and conduct experiments that give insight into the mysterious mechanical properties of the structure and locomotion of insects.
Project Overview
I am spending 10 weeks at the University of Cambridge in the department of zoology with the insect biomechanics group, run by prof. Walter Federle. I am undertaking a project, supervised by PhD. student Ritabrata Chowdhury, investigating the evolutionary mechanism responsible for an adaptation found in H. charithonia which allows them to walk on the hooked trichomes of P. adenopoda. All other Heliconius species are unable to walk on and ingest P. adenopoda without dying.
I am spending 10 weeks at the University of Cambridge in the department of zoology with the insect biomechanics group, run by prof. Walter Federle. I am undertaking a project, supervised by PhD. student Ritabrata Chowdhury, investigating the evolutionary mechanism responsible for an adaptation found in H. charithonia which allows them to walk on the hooked trichomes of P. adenopoda. All other Heliconius species are unable to walk on and ingest P. adenopoda without dying.