Duncan J. Irschick

Duncan J. Irschick is a Professor of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, leading the Irschick Lab and co-founding initiatives like Digital Life and the Center for Evolutionary Materials. His research integrates evolutionary biology, biomechanics, and technology to study animal movement, adhesion systems, and 3D imaging. He earned a B.S. from UC Davis (1991) and a Ph.D. from Washington University, St. Louis (1996).

Research focuses on gecko adhesion (GeckskinTM), 3D imaging (BeastcamTM), and bioinspired technologies. He explores how animal form and function inform synthetic design, with applications in conservation, robotics, and material science. His work spans diverse taxa, including sharks, salamanders, and reptiles, emphasizing functional morphology and evolutionary adaptation.

Key achievements include over 137 peer-reviewed publications, patents on adhesives, and global media recognition. Awards include UMass Amherst's Outstanding Research Award (2014), Chancellor's Medal (2014), and Distinguished Faculty Lecture (2016). He has delivered 76 invited talks worldwide and collaborates with engineers, computer scientists, and conservationists.

His lab develops open-access 3D models via Digital Life, aiding education and conservation. Current projects include studying elasmobranch energetics, reptile locomotion, and biomimetic materials. Grants from NIH, NSF, and private foundations fund this multidisciplinary work.