Rachel L. Crane, Ph.D.

Rachel integrates biology and engineering to study predators and prey. Her research identifies the mechanical, behavioral, and physiological components of success and failure in these high-stakes interactions.

Looking across systems allows Rachel to take a broad perspective on the mechanical and behavioral patterns underlying predator-prey dynamics. At one extreme, she studies heavily armored prey and the predators that rely on powerful weapons to destroy that armor. At the other extreme, she studies evasive prey and their fast-moving, maneuverable predators. Her research spans marine, intertidal, and terrestrial systems, using tractable invertebrate models including bivalves, snails, mantis shrimp, and dragonflies.