Andrew A. Biewener

Andrew A. Biewener is the Charles P. Lyman Research Professor of Biology (Emeritus) at Harvard University's Concord Field Station. His research focuses on the biomechanics of mammalian and avian locomotion, emphasizing neuromuscular control during movement, evolutionary adaptations, and applications to biorobotics. He leads the Biewener Lab, supported by Andra Hollis and Lisa Litchfield. His work explores stability in animal movement, musculoskeletal system design, and adaptive remodeling. Recent studies include muscle function in cycling, obstacle avoidance in birds, and the biomechanics of water-running in grebes.

Research interests span comparative biomechanics, neuromuscular physiology, and ecological perspectives. His lab integrates experimental and computational approaches to understand structure-function relationships shaped by natural selection. Notable projects examine how animals maintain stability during perturbations and optimize energy use in movement. While no scientific awards are explicitly listed, his contributions to biomechanics are widely recognized.

He advises students like Phil Fahn-Lai (PhD candidate in the Biewener/S.Pierce Lab) and teaches courses including OEB 173 (Comparative Biomechanics) and OEB 307 (Biomechanics, Physiology, and Musculoskeletal Biology). The Biewener Lab collaborates on interdisciplinary projects linking lab experiments to real-world locomotion challenges.