Ornithopterus

Open Ph.D. position in Animal Dynamics

Are you fascinated by how animals fly, swim, or interact with capillary and electrostatic forces —and inspired by the idea of using these principles to create bio-inspired designs? We are seeking highly creative and motivated Ph.D. students to join our lab starting in Fall 2026. Information here.

Victor M. Ortega

The Ornithopterus Lab focuses on organismal dynamics, from flamingos and hummingbirds to insects and nematodes. Through observation-based research and creative thinking, we explore how organisms move through challenging environments —like rain, turbulence, or dust devils—and the trade-offs driven by capillary and electrostatic forces.

Nectar from the sky

Precipitation has the capacity to disrupt animal behavior, and during extreme events even jeopardize survival. We are particularly interested in how these complex flows affect animals' locomotion.

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Sparks & wetting

At small scales, electrostatic and capillary forces reign over other forces, such as gravity. We investigate the effects produced by these forces on tiny organisms, as well as on ecological interactions.

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Storm winds

In nature fluids run wild. Vortex shedding, ripples, and turbulence are fundamental features of natural flows. We study the locomotor control, manuevering, and energetics of animals as they navigate these challenging conditions.

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Open Ph.D. position in Animal Dynamics

Nectar from the sky

Sparks & wetting

Storm winds

Lab news

Fatal Electrical Attraction

Featured Video in Science

Ripple bugs in Science

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