Anna N. Ahn

Anna Ahn

Professor of Biology

F.W. Olin Science Center, Room 2375
1250 N. Dartmouth Ave.
Claremont, CA 91711
909.607.9122
aahn@hmc.edu

Education and Professional Experience

  • B.A., Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley
  • PhD, Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Harvard University
  • Visiting Scientist, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Visiting Assistant Professor, Harvey Mudd College
  • Assistant Professor of Biology, Harvey Mudd College
  • Associate Professor of Biology, Harvey Mudd College

Teaching

  • Bio 54: Biology Laboratory
  • Bio 81/82: Human Physiology & Disease
  • Bio 101: Comparative Physiology
  • Bio 103: Physiology Laboratory
  • Bio 183: Topics in Physiology (seminar)
  • Bio/Eng 190B: Biomechanics
  • Writ1:  Introduction to Academic Writing
  • Bio 81A:  Science vs Pseudoscience

Research Interests

Professor Ahn’s research focuses on the neural control and mechanics of animal locomotion. We take an integrative and multi-disciplinary approach to examine the different levels of organization that influence the behavioral output of the neuro-musculo-skeletal system in animals such as frogs, lizards, tarantulas, and even humans! Our work includes examining the neural signals sent to muscles and how the different levels of musculo-skeletal organization respond to these neural signals. By spanning the fields of muscle physiology, biomechanics, and motor control, we hope to discover general principles underlying the neuro-mechanical basis of legged locomotion.

Selected Publications

*Wessbecher LS & Ahn AN. 2019. Lower leg morphology in runners: Forefoot strikers have longer heels but not bigger muscles than rearfoot strikers. J. Exp. Biol. 222: jeb187815. doi:10.1242/jeb.187815

Ahn AN, Konow N, Tijs C & Biewener AA. 2018. Different fascicle segments within vertebrate muscles can operate on different regions of their force-length relationships. Integ Comp Biol. 58:219-231. doi:10.1093/icb/icy040

*Rubin YS, *Young MHY, Wright JC, Whitaker DL & Ahn AN.  2016.  Exceptional locomotor performance in mites.   J. Exp. Biol.  219:676-685.

*Booster NA, *Su FY, Adolph SC & Ahn AN. 2015. Effect of temperature on limb kinematics in a sprinting tarantula , Aphonopelma hentzi: Potential limitations of hydraulic joint actuation. J. Exp. Biol.

Ahn AN, *Brayton C, *Bhatia T & *Martin P. 2014. The neural control and kinematics of forefoot and rearfoot strike runners. J. Sport Health Sci. 3:102-112. DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2014.03.007 (theme journal)

Ahn AN. 2012. How muscle function – the work loop technique. J. Exp. Biol. 215:1051-1052.

Ahn AN, Kang JK*, Quitt MA*, Davidson BD*, Nguyen CT*.  2011.  Variability of neural activation during walking in humans:  Short heels and big calves. Biol. Lett.  doi:10.1098/rsbl.2010.1169

Wu GC*, Wright JC, Whitaker DL & Ahn AN. 2010. Kinematic evidence for superfast locomotory muscle in two species of teneriffiid mites. J. Exp. Biol.213: 2551-2556.

Nishikawa K, Biewener A, Aerts P, Ahn A et al. 2007. Neuromechanics: An integrative approach for understand motor control. Integr. Comp. Biol. 47: 16-54.

Ahn AN, Meijer K & Full RJ. 2006. In situ muscle power differs without varying in vitro mechanical properties in two insect leg muscles innervated by the same motor neuron. J. Exp. Biol. 209: 3370-3382.

Biewener AA & Ahn AN. 2006. Tired of fatigue? Factors affecting the force-length relationship of muscle. J. Appl. Physiol. 101: 5-6.

Ahn AN, Furrow E* & Biewener AA. 2004. Walking and running in the red-legged running frog, Kassina maculata. J. Exp. Biol. 207: 399-410.

Ahn AN, Monti RJ & Biewener AA. 2003. In vivo and in vitro heterogeneity of segment length changes in the semimembranosus muscle of the toad. J. Physiol. 549: 877-888.

Ahn AN & Full RJ. 2002. A motor and a brake: two leg extensor muscles acting at the same joint manage energy differently in a running insect. J. Exp. Biol. 205: 379-389.

Full RJ, Stokes DR, Ahn AN & Josephson RK. 1998. Energy absorption during running by leg muscles in a cockroach. J. Exp. Biol. 201: 997-1012. PDF of article.

Full RJ & Ahn AN. 1995. Static forces and moments generated in the insect leg — comparison of a 3-dimensional musculoskeletal computer-model with experimental measurements. J. Exp. Biol. 198: 1285-1298. PDF of article.

Weinstein RB, Full RJ & Ahn AN. 1994. Moderate dehydration decreases locomotor performance of the ghost crab, Ocypode quadrata. Physiol. Zool.67: 873-891.

* undergraduate author