Megan Matthews

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About

Megan Matthews is a leading researcher in comparative biomechanics and animal flight, with a focus on how insects navigate complex, unsteady aerodynamic environments. Her work bridges the gap between isolated flight mechanics and real-world ecological conditions, particularly for hawkmoths. In her highly cited 2018 study, "Hawkmoth flight in the unsteady wakes of flowers," Matthews investigated how these moths maneuver and hover when faced with wind gusts and the turbulent wakes produced by flowers. This research revealed critical interactions between flight maneuvers and environmental flow that were previously unexplored, demonstrating that moths employ distinct aerodynamic strategies to maintain stability and control in natural, unsteady settings. With over 30 citations across her publications, Matthews’ contributions have significantly advanced our understanding of animal flight in ecologically relevant contexts. Her work is essential for students and researchers in biomechanics, evolutionary biology, and bio-inspired engineering, offering insights that inform the design of agile drones and robots capable of operating in unpredictable airflows. Matthews continues to push the boundaries of how we perceive the interplay between animal locomotion and environmental complexity.