https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9738-882X
Overview
The primary goal of research in the Patek laboratory is to examine the dynamic interplay between evolutionary processes and the mechanics of organisms.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Professor of Biology
·
2019 - Present
Biology,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Recent Scholarly Works
Elastodynamic mechanical analyzer for high strain-rate mechanical characterization.
Journal article Soft matter · August 2026 Latch-mediated spring actuation (LaMSA) mechanisms are common in nature and hold great promise for ultra-fast synthetic systems across a range of behaviors including jumping, striking, and throwing. However, the quantitative study of LaMSA systems demands ... Full text CiteViolet seed propulsion inspires robot design.
Journal article Science (New York, N.Y.) · June 2026 Comparative analysis of seed biomechanics reveals principles that can guide soft robot technology. ... Full text CiteBiphasic tentacle strike kinematics in predatory cuttlefish.
Journal article The Journal of experimental biology · May 2026 Cuttlefish extend soft tentacles to capture evasive prey. High-speed imaging of tentacle prey capture in two cuttlefish species reveals kinematically discrete, biphasic tentacle extension. A prolonged reach phase, often extending distances greater than the ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Collaborative Research: Moving with muscles vs. springs: evolutionary biomechanics of extremely fast, small systems
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2020 - 2026Evolutionary Mechanics of Impulsive Biological Systems: Guiding Scalable Synthetic Design
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Army Research Office · 2015 - 2024Fast Movements, Impacts and Deformations: Nature, Robotics and Materials
ConferencePrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Army Research Office · 2022 - 2023View All Grants
Education
Duke University ·
2001
Ph.D.