Peter Niewiarowski

Dr. Peter Niewiarowski serves as a Professor in the Biology Department at the University of Akron, conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of ecology, evolution, and biomimicry. His work spans population biology of spotted salamanders, physiological ecology of fence lizards, and bio-inspired design, with a current emphasis on gecko adhesion mechanics in collaboration with polymer scientists.

His educational foundation includes a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Pennsylvania (1992).

Research interests are deeply rooted in evolutionary theory, driving investigations into salamander population dynamics in fragmented landscapes, thermal niche selection in color-polymorphic salamanders, and the biomechanics of lizard adhesion. Recent efforts focus on gecko adhesion for biomimetic applications, exploring how surface roughness, wetness, and claw morphology affect performance, leading to synthetic adhesive systems developed with Polymer Science colleagues.

Analysis of his recent publications (2018-2023) reveals a dominant theme in gecko adhesion mechanics, including studies on wet and rough substrates, acid-base interactions, and comparative analyses with anole lizards. This work bridges biology and materials science, yielding insights for synthetic adhesives. Additionally, he explores biomimicry applications in sustainability training and historical political ecology of river systems.

Dr. Niewiarowski mentors graduate and undergraduate students through the Integrated Bioscience PhD program and Biomimicry Research and Innovation Center. His collaborations with Polymer Science faculty demonstrate interdisciplinary grant-seeking success, particularly in developing bio-inspired adhesive technologies.

He leads research teams within the Biomimicry Research and Innovation Center, focusing on gecko adhesion mechanics, salamander population ecology, and biomimetic design applications. His laboratory integrates biological observation with polymer science to translate natural adhesion systems into sustainable engineering solutions.