My research interests are in the musculoskeletal design of organisms, particularly how it relates to locomotion and posture. When I see an animal perform a particular behavior, I ask "how is it that this movement is possible?" and "how did this type of structural/functional system evolve?" To answer these types of questions, I currently employ a variety of techniques. First, an understanding of the structural basis of the system is essential. Thus I am very interested in dissecting animals to learn how they are put together. There are still tremendous gaps in our knowledge of even the most basic anatomical systems of animals. Second, a way to analyze the functioning of muscles is to examine the muscle by removing a small sample and assaying it for a variety of enzymatic properties related to its function. Thus we use histochemistry to determine if a muscle is aerobic and specialized for a sustained, fatigue-resistant behavior, or anaerobic and better for short-duration but high-power effects.  

Dr. Ron A. Meyers

SL 409

Phone: (801) 626-6170
FAX: (801) 626-7445
e-mail: rmeyers@weber.edu