Dr. Martin How

Biography

Martin How is an Associate Professor in Visual Ecology at the University of Bristol. His academic journey began with a BA from Oxford, followed by a Master's and PhD. His research focuses on animal vision and the ways in which different species interpret their visual environment. He has spent his career studying invertebrates, particularly the visually guided behavior of species such as fiddler crabs. His PhD research at the Australian National University involved filming the processing of natural scenes to understand the signaling mechanisms of these crabs from their perspective. Additionally, he has investigated the communication signals of giant cuttlefish and their unique chromatophore organs, which allow them to produce dynamic body patterns. At the University of Queensland, he explored the complex visual systems of mantis shrimps, known for their advanced eyes with multiple color receptors. His contribution to the field includes the groundbreaking discovery that certain animals utilize a serial color vision system. Recently, he has been intrigued by the use of polarization light by crustaceans, leading to exciting developments in visual ecology that are intersecting with various technological applications in neuroscience, medicine, and sensor design.

Research Interests

Experience