UNH Ocean Seminar

Insight from Evolution: Remora Adhesion & the Water to Land Transition

Kaelyn Gamel
Research Scientist

Naval Undersea Warfare Center
Division Newport 

Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, 3:10pm
Chase 105
Abstract

Animal Biomechanics is key to understanding how animals move efficiently and effectively in their natural environment. Delving into the history of underwater walking and remora adhesion, shed light upon how evolution has been beta testing certain biomechanical advantages to provide animals with real world solutions. This talk will illuminate how animal locomotion has evolved from underwater walking to terrestrial walking. Additionally, how fish evolved a mechanical suction disk to increase stealth, protection, and transportation to increase chance of survival. These biological systems inspire and advise engineering systems how to design UUVs and whale tags for efficient transportation in challenging underwater environments. 

Bio

Dr. Kaelyn Gamel received her undergraduate and master's degree in Biology at New Jersey Institute of Technology, where she played Division 1 soccer and fencing. After a few years of semi-professional soccer, she went to the University of Akron for her Ph.D. in Integrated Bioscience. Currently, she is a research scientist at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport within the U.S. Navy continuing her Ph.D. work in underwater walking and using the force plate as a hydrodynamic sensor.