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General Objectives:
Birds, fish, insects, and humans join groups to avoid predators, gather food, and move long distances. The movement rules of these individuals are remarkably similar between species, as are the emergent group patterns. We use insects as a model system to generate simulation programs that have applications to more complex organisms. Two principle questions about emergent patterns will be addressed during this project: 1) how do individual differences (size, gender, leadership) influence a group’s speed and turning, and 2) how do groups interact with solid structures? Techniques to answer these questions include: controlled behavioral studies of marked whirligig beetles; studies mixing real and robotic insects; and mathematical simulation models. Broad applications of our findings may include insights into the way: 1) panic responses can spread through a crowd of people, and 2) leadership, diversity, and the shape of an exit influences escape rates of panicked groups.
The ideal student Dr. Romey is looking for:
I am looking for three students each summer for the next three summers. Ideally, you would have finished your Junior year by the start of the program but I am willing to look at advanced Sophomores. It would be helpful if you can show evidence of a previous research project you did (for example a multi-week group or individual project in a class). Students should be seriously considering graduate school in the sciences. I am looking for students who: have a strong G.P.A., are hardworking, and have the creativity to solve the inevitable challenges that come with doing research. Although preference will be given to SUNY Potsdam biology majors, others will be considered. The work is interdisciplinary and each student will develop their skills in experimental biology, computer simulation, robotics, image analysis, and statistics.
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