Associate Professor California State University Fullerton (2020-present)

Assistant Professor California State University Fullerton (2014-2020)

Post Doc Arizona State University West (2013-2014)

Ph.D University of Washington (2012)

B.S. Marine Biology, California State University Long Beach (2006)

 

I'm a southern California native who loves all things marine biology. My primary interests skew toward animal performance and ecological morphology. My research focuses on functional morphology and comparative biomechanics of marine systems. I started with studying sharks and have branched out to whales, oarfish, and even armadillos. 

 

As a marine biologist and comparative biomechanist, my research uses a blend of anatomy and engineering techniques to answer biological questions about performance in marine animals. Much of this research stems from observing animals in their natural habitat and then testing the performance in the laboratory. 

 

I often include modeling techniques into my work. Sometimes these findings lead to new, bio-inspired applications. I have worked in many systems, but usually I focus on critters living in and around the ocean. 

 

When I am not in the lab I enjoy sipping coffee or wine, eating chocolate, and gardening. I am also a mother to two small humans. 

 

Helpful hint: My last name rhymes with "Craig" and not a "page" from a book. 

 

Follow me for Fish Facts #Fishfacts on Twitter @FABBLab

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Contact Misty at:

empaig-tran@fullerton.edu