People | Agile Systems Lab

Dr. Brett Aiello

Ph.D. from University of Chicago

Integrative Biology

Brett Aiello is a postdoctoral researcher in the Sponberg Lab. Brett received his Ph.D. in Integrative Biology from the University of Chicago where he studied the correlated evolution of limb mechanics and mechanosensation in the pectoral fins of fishes. In the Sponberg Lab, Brett will continue studying the evolution of neuromechanical systems using a diverse superfamily of moths, Bombycoidea.

You can find him at: https://brettaiello.weebly.com/

Dr. Stephanie Gage

PhD from University of Arizona

Neuroscience

Stephanie Gage is fascinated by the neuroethology of pollinators. As a PhD student, she studied how neuromodulators affect olfactory-guided behaviors in the hawkmoth, Manduca sexta. This work led to a post-doctoral position with the U.S. Department of Agriculture where she created a program to determine whether sensory processing in honey bees is affected by the stressors they face. From these experiences, it became necessary to dive into how neuromodulatory processes affect sensory processing and the motor system. She is currently working to understand how nervous systems have the flexibility to adapt while maintaining the control to execute. Her projects include: (1) learning about how behavioral context influences systemic modulation, (2) how this may influence sensory integration, (3) and what this may tell us about learning and memory.

Joy Putney

Ph.D. Candidate

Quantitative Biosciences

Joy obtained her B.S. in Biology and Physics-Engineering from Washington and Lee University in Lexington, VA. While there, she researched how electrical signals for gastrointestinal motility are altered by disease states. She has an interest in the interface between biomechanics and neural control that started with her undergrad research, and is excited to work in the Sponberg lab, because--let's face it--moths are a lot cuter than guts. When not in lab, she enjoys reading books, going to the movies, hiking, and playing video games.

Usama Bin Sikandar

Electrical engineering

Usama is an electrical engineer with a focus on dynamics and control systems. Using different models of flapping flight, he is trying to understand how hawkmoths display remarkable agility in their flight. He is also working on two collaborations: 1) With Brett in a quest to answer why silkmoths and hawkmoths fly differently; 2) With Dr. Ferrari's lab (Cornell) in remodeling their RoboBee to make it a better flier by taking inspirations from insect flight.

Leo Wood

Leo obtained his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M, and his M.Sc. in zoology from the University of British Columbia. His prior research always focused on how matter capable of changing shape can be arranged and controlled to produce motion. Now at Georgia Tech, he’s studying how nervous systems can interact with and control muscle mechanics to produce locomotion. In his spare time he likes to play with his dog, make music, watch bad movies, read, and get demolished by friends at chess.

Ethan Wold

Quantitative Biosciences

Ethan is a rotation student in the Quantitative Biosciences (QBioS) PhD program interested in the mechanisms of superfast and powerful organismal movement. He received his ScB in Biology and Geophysics at Brown University in 2020. His work in the lab involves resonant mechanics and strain-dependent muscle activation in insect flight. Outside of research, he enjoys playing the guitar, cooking, and hanging out with his dog Remy.