Victor M. Ortega

My Lab focuses on how animals move through challenging environments such as rain, turbulence, or dust devils. I am also interested in the trade-offs produced by capillary and electrostatic forces on hummingbirds and insects. Join the adventure!

Storm winds

In general, fluids in nature run wild. Vortex shedding, ripples, and turbulence are common architectural components of flows. I study the energetics and control of animals moving in such unsteady conditions.

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Nectar from the sky

Precipitation has the capacity to disrupt animal activities, and during extreme events can even jeopardize survival. I have a special interest in the effects produced by these complex flows in the locomotor performance of small animals.

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Sparks & wetting

At small scales electrostatic or capillary forces reign over other forces, such as gravity. I am interested on the effects produced by these forces in animal-animal and plant-animal interactions.

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Lab news

Quanta Magazine
Sep 30, 2024

We are happy to share that Quanta Magazine highlighted our research on electrostatics effects on animal interactions.…read more

Back Home
Aug 16, 2024

I am excited to announce that I am joining UC Berkeley. Go Golden Bears!…read more

Ripple bugs
Jan 9, 2024

News from Science highlighted my participation at SICB2024 on Rhagovelia’s fast turning, elasto-capillary actuation, endurance, and robotics…read more

Springtails on PBS
Jun 20, 2023

Our research on springtails was highlighted on Deep look from PBS. Take a look!