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Welcome to the UC Davis Biologically Informed Research and Design (BIRD) Lab led by Dr. Christina Harvey.

We blend disciplines to understand how animals adjust their morphology in flight and to develop bio-informed uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). We merge techniques across:

Biology and biomechanics – to understanding how birds sense and control their bodies in complex environments
Aerospace engineering and control – to quantify stability, maneuverability, and morphing structures
Robotics and design – to translate biological principles into engineered systems

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Highlights

Packard Fellowship in Science and Engineering supporting fundamental work on bird flight and control
Home of the Center for Animal Locomotion and Innovation at the California Raptor Center
AFOSR-supported project on morphing–control co-design and flight stability
Media and outreach in outlets such as Quanta, The Atlantic, Nature highlights, and more
Interdisciplinary training at the interface of biomechanics, control, robotics, and design </aside>

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Lab Guide

Front: Dr. Christina Harvey (right) and Dr. Michelle Hawkins (left) Back: Francisco Jackson, Dr. Alfonso Martinez and Kaleb Bordner. (Gregory Urquiaga/UC Davis)