Dr. Thomas Roberts

Biography

Thomas Roberts is a Professor and the Senior Associate Dean of the Biology Program at Brown University, specializing in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. He obtained his Ph.D. in Organismic Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University and a B.A. in Biology from the University of Chicago. Roberts' research focuses on understanding the physiological and mechanical behaviors of muscles and skeletal systems among vertebrates, with a specific interest in how musculoskeletal morphology influences metabolic energy costs during movement. His varied research program employs a comparative approach to elucidate the evolution and functional morphology of locomotor systems. His laboratory investigates the mechanics of jumping in frogs and locomotion in wild turkeys, aiming to reveal the underlying physiological principles that dictate locomotor performance. Roberts has received funding for his research from prestigious organizations, including the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, reflecting his significant contributions to the field of biomechanics and comparative physiology. Besides research, Roberts teaches courses in human anatomy, human physiology, and environmental physiology at Brown University, engaging first-year medical students with hands-on anatomy education.

Research Interests

Experience