Research in the Schachner Lab utilizes an integrative approach to ask questions about the anatomy, physiology, and evolution of extinct and extant vertebrates

 

Our work is broadly focused on:

 

  * 1 - The origin and evolution of major morphological and physiological innovations in vertebrates
  * 2 - Form and function relationships in vertebrate morphology
  * 3 - Soft tissue biology of extinct vertebrates

  * 4 - Visual communication in Science

 

 

To address these specific questions, our primary areas of research are focused on:

 

  * The evolution of the amniote respiratory system: including structural diversity, ecomorphology, physiology from an evolutionary perspective 

* Development of the bronchial tree and air sacs in birds

  * Modeling the impact of trauma, disease, and obesity on the avian respiratory system using micro-computed tomography (µCT) and 3D segmentation

* Reconstructing the soft tissue biology of extinct archosauromorphs 

* Paleopathology of extinct archosaurs

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We integrate data from the fossil record with anatomical, physiological, and developmental studies of extant animals using dissection, experimental methods, immunohistochemistry, motion analysis, materials testing, digital modeling, and 3D medical-grade and high-resolution computed tomography (CT) imagery