Dr. Martin How

Biography

Martin How is an Associate Professor at the University of Bristol, within the School of Biological Sciences. His research focuses on visual ecology, particularly the vision systems of animals. He has dedicated his career to understanding how different species perceive their environments, with a particular emphasis on invertebrate vision. Martin completed his PhD at the Australian National University, where he studied the visually guided behavior of fiddler crabs. His work involved filming and analyzing the communication signals of these creatures, which utilize chromatophore organs to produce dynamic body patterns for signaling. Subsequently, he joined the University of Queensland to explore the advanced visual systems of mantis shrimps, known for their complex eyes capable of processing a wide spectrum of light. His research has led to groundbreaking discoveries, including the revelation that some crustaceans use a serial color vision system. More recently, he has become interested in how animals employ polarization light for navigation and environmental perception, opening up new research avenues in visual ecology. His findings have potential applications in various fields including neuroscience, medicine, and sensor design.

Research Interests

Experience