Sarah J. Longo, Ph.D.

Biography

Sarah Longo’s research program investigates how animals work and how function evolves across broad evolutionary timescales by focusing on ecologically relevant traits in a variety of systems. For example, she has worked on the evolution of novel feeding structures and behaviors in fishes, the origin of lungs in vertebrates, the diversity of the hyoid apparatus, and the biomechanics of aquatic snapping crustaceans. In addition, she has worked with a variety of organisms that achieve ultra-high-speed motions through the use of Latch-Mediated Spring Actuation (LaMSA) mechanisms to store and release elastic energy. Ongoing research in her lab integrates across evolution, biomechanics, and comparative morphology and uses a variety of techniques such as phylogenetic comparative methods, high-speed videography, and micro-CT scanning.

Recent Select Publications

Longo, SJ, R St. Pierre, S Bergbreiter, S Cox, B Schelling, SN Patek. (2023). Geometric latches enable tuning of ultrafast, spring-propelled movements. Journal of Experimental Biology. 26: jeb244363. DOI 10.1242/jeb.244363

Longo, SJ, W Ray, GM Farley, J Harrison, J Jorge, T Kaji, AR Palmer, SN Patek. (2021) Snaps of a tiny amphipod push the boundary of ultrafast, repeatable movement. Current Biology. 31: R116-R117. DOI 10.1016/j.cub.2020.12.025

Longo, SJ, SM Cox, E Azizi, M Ilton, JP Olberding, R St. Pierre, SN Patek. (2019) Beyond power amplification: Latch-mediated spring actuation (LaMSA) is an emerging cross-disciplinary framework for the study of diverse elastic systems. Journal of Experimental Biology. 222: jeb19788. DOI 10.1242/jeb.197889

Longo, SJ, T Goodearly, PC Wainwright. (2018) Extremely fast feeding strikes are powered by elastic recoil in a seahorse relative, the snipefish, Macroramphosus scolopax. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. 285: 20181078. DOI 10.1098/rspb.2018.1078

Longo, S, M Riccio, AR McCune (2013). Homology of lungs and gas bladders: Insights from arterial vasculature. Journal of Morphology. 274: 687-703. DOI 10.1002/jmor.20128

Courses Taught

BIOL 200: Introduction to Cellular Biology and Genetics
BIOL 206/L: Introduction to Ecology and Evolution
BIOL 413/513: Evolution (BIOL 413, Towson University)
BIOL 483/601: Vertebrate Morphology in the Digital Revolution
(Course-based research experience)