Kolmann Lab

About 

Dr. Kolmann, an assistant professor at the University of Louisville, focuses his research on evolutionary ecology, functional morphology and biomechanics, particularly within the context of vertebrate anatomy and fish biology. Dr. Kolmann and his lab, the M.E.E.N. Fishes Lab, studies how animals' feeding behaviors and anatomy co-evolve, using techniques like CT scanning and high-speed video to observe and quantify animal phenotype. A significant portion of his research centers on serrasalmid fishes (such as piranhas and pacus) and cartilaginous fishes like sharks and rays, but he is open to any and all work on fishes and other aquatic animals. Kolmann's work blends experimental and comparative methods to understand how evolutionary pressures shape anatomical features and behaviors across species. His lab's focus on how animals interact with their environment, especially through feeding, contributes to a deeper understanding of both ecological dynamics and evolutionary processes in aquatic systems. Finally, his research also has applications for biomimetics (animal-inspired engineering) and biomedical applications (bio-imaging techniques like ‘CAT’ scans and microscopy).