Emily Naylor

Dr. Emily Naylor is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at James Madison University since 2022. Her research focuses on animal locomotion through biomechanical, evolutionary, and ecological perspectives, emphasizing interactions between small-bodied vertebrates (lizards, frogs, fishes) and their environments. Techniques include high-speed videography, scanning electron microscopy, and respirometry. She teaches BIO 270L (Human Physiology Lab) and BIO 290L (Human Anatomy Lab).

Education:
- PhD in Evolution, Ecology, & Organismal Biology, University of California, Riverside (2020)
- BS in Biological Sciences, Ohio University (2013)

Research Interests:
Her work investigates how environmental variation impacts locomotion, performance, and behavior. Key themes include substrate interactions, adhesive systems in geckos, and evolutionary adaptations in amphibians and reptiles. The Naylor Lab uses interdisciplinary methods to study fine-scale organism-environment dynamics.

Labs/Teams:
The Naylor Lab explores locomotor diversity and ecological pressures, spanning morphology, biomechanics, and behavior. Techniques include GPS data modeling, high-resolution imaging, and field observations. They prioritize understanding how phenotypic and environmental variation shape movement strategies.