Elizabeth Tucker

elizabethtucker.mystrikingly.com | etucker1210@gmail.com

RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

TEMPLE UNIVERSITY | PHILADELPHIA, PA
Ph.D. Biology | Jan 2017 - Dec 2022 | GPA: 3.95 • • M.S. Exercise Physiology | May 2017 | GPA: 3.64
• Dissertation: Identify and test dynamic kinematic strategies of lizards running across granular media and other challenging
terrain (e.g. drops and inclines) by analyzing kinematics and kinetics of moving bodies using a combination of high-speed
light and X-ray video, derivation and plotting of movement dynamics, and comparative statistics.
• Accepted to present research annually at premier comparative biomechanics conference (SICB); talks attended by 200+
leading researchers of 2000+ attendees.
– 2022: “Subsurface foot kinematics appear to correlate with running speed on granular media.”
– 2021: “Kinematics of running across hard and granular surfaces in specialist and generalist lizards.”
– 2020: “Leg length, not stiffness, allows bipedal lizards to navigate drops.”
– 2017: “Compensatory strategies of a sprawled bipedal runner over a sudden drop.”
• Implemented machine learning software on Temple’s high performance computing cluster to optimize data processing for
quicker digitization and tagging of spotted lanternfly falling trajectories and lizard running across novel terrain videos.
• Collaborated with graduate level mathematicians in Dr. Daniel Szyld’s modeling class to leverage proprietary data from
Hsieh lab to develop new mathematical models to explain bipedal lizard running.
• Conducting collaborations to adapt lizard dynamics for use in robotics by simulating impacts of feet on granular media with
researchers at Georgia Tech, New York Institute of Technology, University of Chicago, Northeastern.
• Mentored five undergraduate researchers in the basics of animal care, data collection, research project management, data
analysis, and public speaking.
– Wrote 5+ recommendation letters for students applying to dental and medical schools, forensic science internships,
and research-based graduate programs.
• Awarded Mark A. Nathanson Memorial Research Award (1 award for 50+ students), CST teaching award finalist (2020,
2021).

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA

B.A. Biology | 2014 | Stamps Scholar

• Examined the effects of ischemia on hepatocellular carcinoma to improve embolizations as a treatment tool in
interventional radiology; conducted tissue culture experiments to test the use of hydroxychloroquine on hepatocellular
carcinoma as a potential therapeutic resulting in a publication in the journal Radiology (2017).
• Completed 100+ hours volunteering at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Animal Hospital, and Ryan
Animal Hospital. Competed in multiple club sports incl. rugby and judo.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY | TEACHING ASSISTANT
Jan 2015 – Present | Philadelphia, PA

• Taught 30+ weekly three-hour lab sections for groups of 18-25 undergraduate students; prepared weekly lectures,
facilitated hands on learning experiences, adapted to individual student learning preferences, and conducted 2-5 hours of
office sessions weekly (Mammalian Anatomy, General Biology I & II, Human Biology, DNA Friend or Foe, and Anatomy &
Physiology I & II; courses for both pre-meds and non-science majors).
• Guest lectured in Mammalian Anatomy to introduce 150 pre-health students to biomechanical principles and research
topics; co-wrote exams throughout the course.
• Earned teaching in higher education certificate through a 3-credit semester-long certification, with 15+ hour subsequent
applied coaching to practice pedagogical skills and tailor teaching methodology to student needs.

SKILLS
Advanced: MATLAB, R • Experienced: Python, Bash • Familiar: LaTeX, SQL, git