ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Brendan Gibbs is an author on ‘ Kinematics and muscle activity of pectoral fins in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) station holding in turbulent flow’, published in JEB. Brendan is a PhD candidate in the lab of James C. Liao at the University of Florida, USA, investigating sensory processing and adaptive motor control.
Brendan Gibbs
How did you become interested in biology?
Since childhood, my fascination with comprehending the behavior of animals has been a constant in my life. Whether it was observing bird migrations in the Ohio skies during my youth or studying wild trout feeding behavior as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, my interest in deciphering natural animal behavior has evolved over the years. This passion reached its pinnacle when I recognized that I could channel my inherent curiosity about these natural systems into unraveling the physiological mechanisms that enable animals to flourish in a myriad of distinct ecosystems.
Describe your scientific journey and your current research focus
My scientific journey began with a keen interest in observing natural animal behavior. As I progressed through school, my curiosity deepened, and I yearned for a more profound understanding of the underlying mechanisms that facilitate these behaviors. This desire led me to pursue a master's degree under the guidance of Dr Craig Radford and Dr John Montgomery at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Here, my exposure to electrophysiological techniques in unraveling the auditory systems of elasmobranchs ignited my passion for understanding the physiological intricacies behind complex behaviors. This experience served as a catalyst, prompting me to embark on a PhD journey dedicated to using these techniques to unravel the mysteries of natural animal behavior, with fish as my model system. Throughout my doctoral research, I delved into investigating the interplay between sensory and neuromuscular systems within the environment, aiming to comprehend how naturalistic settings influence sensory processing and adaptive motor output.
How would you explain the main findings of your paper to a member of the public?
In the wild, rainbow trout live in rivers and streams where flowing water can create extremely turbulent conditions when induced over submerged rocks and trees. Despite the complexity of these environments, trout are not only able to maintain control at all times but are also able to execute complex maneuvers such as rising through turbulent flows to eat floating bugs at the water's surface. In this paper, we set out to investigate how the pectoral fins of these fish, and their underlying muscles, are used to navigate these complex fluid environments. We found that local turbulence in the environment was a critical factor in shaping fin movements but also underlying muscle activity. Interestingly, we also observed that at times, fin movements could occur without any pectoral fin muscle activity suggesting that these fish are remarkably able to utilize aspects of these turbulent flows to passively move these appendages to help execute maneuvers, ultimately helping these animals save energy in these exceedingly complex physical environments.
A rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) swims in a von Kármán vortex street as pectoral fin muscle activity is recorded with implanted electrodes in the abductor and adductor musculature.
A rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) swims in a von Kármán vortex street as pectoral fin muscle activity is recorded with implanted electrodes in the abductor and adductor musculature.
What do you enjoy most about research, and why?
The aspect of research that I enjoy the most is the ability to not only observe the beauty of the natural world but also translate these unique observations to the laboratory to gain a more nuanced understanding of animals. Research has allowed me to gain a much deeper appreciation for the complexity of natural systems as something that may appear routine to the observer, such as a fish swimming, can actually be remarkably complex and nuanced.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I find solace in nature, and most of my free time is spent outdoors, where I feel most content. My hobbies naturally align with my love for being active and surrounded by the beauty of the environment. In my past I've spent time as a fly-fishing and wilderness guide which is something I really enjoy as it allows me to observe one of my favorite animals, fish, as they naturally behave in beautiful environments. I'm currently based in Florida for my PhD, and living by the ocean has sparked a love for surfing and scuba diving as these hobbies serve as a compelling reason to spend my days immersed in the ocean, surrounded by fascinating marine life.
What's next for you?
I am finishing up my PhD this spring (2024) and am planning on joining Dr Tsuneya Ikezu's lab at the Mayo Clinic, USA, to gain a molecular perspective on neural processes by investigating the role of glial cell and inhibitory interneurons on memory circuits in mammals using electrophysiological techniques such as whole-cell patch clamp.
Brendan Gibbs’s contact details: Department of Biology, The Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, University of Florida, St Augustine, FL 32080, USA.
E-mail: [email protected]
