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Ornithopterus
  • Home
  • Creative Team
  • Publications
  • Outreach
  • Research
  • On-air
  • Contact

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Victor M. Ortega

The Ornithopterus Lab focuses on organismal dynamics, from flamingos and insects to helicopter seeds and nematodes. We investigate how they move through challenging environments such as rain, turbulence, or dust devils, as well as the trade-offs produced by capillary and electrostatic forces on animal interactions.


Ripple bugs

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

January 9, 2024December 10, 2025

Springtails on PBS

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

June 20, 2023June 20, 2023

PNAS Podcast

PNAS Science Sessions highlighted our research on springtails’ aerial control and maneuvering …read more

April 22, 2023April 22, 2023

Fatal Attractions

New Scientist and Science News covered my talk at the APS Meeting 2023. I found that jumping nematodes are pulled towards their charged prey. …read more

March 16, 2023April 25, 2023

Flamingos’ feeding

Science news published a note about my talk at SICB2023 on flamingo’s feeding hydrodynamics …read more

January 10, 2023January 10, 2023

Springtail Acrobatics

We discover that springtails have an outstanding jumping control over the water. They can skim, skydive and land on its feet. The New York times covered this research .…read more

November 8, 2022November 8, 2022

Moving to UMaine!

I will be joining as an Assistant Professor at SBE-UMaine, starting in September. Go black bears! …read more

July 4, 2022July 5, 2022

PBS interview

I will participate in a live event of PBS Deep Look, about hummingbirds and axolotls …read more

April 28, 2022April 28, 2022

Springtails’ Perfect Landing

Science news covered my participation at SICB 2022 on springtails’ aerial righting and stability during landing on the water…read more

January 14, 2022January 14, 2022

Fish Research at KSU

KSU News published a note highlighting my research on knifefish biomechanics …read more

October 26, 2020October 27, 2020

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