Ian Cost

Ian Cost is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Albright College, specializing in anatomy and physiology. He joined Albright in 2019 after earning a Ph.D. in integrative anatomy from the University of Missouri, following a Master of Science in biology from Fort Hays State University and a Master of Education from Lesley University. His research focuses on the biomechanics of bird and non-avian theropod dinosaur feeding, combining statistical and model-based analysis with avian ecology.

• Education: Ph.D. (University of Missouri), M.S. (Fort Hays State), M.Ed. (Lesley), B.A. (Bridgewater State)

Research interests include ornithology, paleontology, and comparative anatomy. His work explores cranial kinesis and feeding mechanics in archosaurs, integrating 3D modeling and biomechanical studies. Collaborations with students have produced studies on avian tendon locking mechanisms and trigeminal nerve anatomy.

Recent articles highlight innovations in visualizing jaw muscle mechanics and exploring evolutionary biomechanics across archosaurs. His methods, such as diceCT imaging, advance soft-tissue analysis in paleontology.

Labs/Teams: Active in avian anatomy research and collaborations with institutions like the University of Missouri and Fort Hays State University.