The Department of Neurobiology, Physiology & Behavior supports our underrepresented students and rejects all forms of discrimination. Racial Trauma Resources

Dr. Stacey Combes

Position Title

Professor

Vice Chair of Academic Affairs

155A Hutchison Hall

Profile Introduction

Research in the Combes Lab focuses on the physical interaction between flying insects and their environment, and on how physiology, morphology and behavior contribute to the performance of ecologically relevant flight behaviors. Our work combines lab-based flight biomechanics with field-based insect ecology to understand the physical foundations of diverse, natural flight behaviors. Projects in the lab explore topics such as flexible wing morphology, the mechanics of aerial predator-prey interactions, flight through cluttered environments, causes and consequences of wing damage, and the effects of turbulent airflow on flight stability.

Degrees

2002 PhD Zoology University of Washington
1994 B.A. Integrative Biology University of California, Berkeley

Research Interests

AERIAL INTERACTIONS: Biomechanics and behavior during aerial predator-prey and aggressive interactions

http://npb.ucdavis.edu/labs/combes/Aerial_Interactions.html

FLIGHT IN COMPLEX PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS: Maneuvering flight through clutter; collisions and consequences of insect wing damage

http://npb.ucdavis.edu/labs/combes/Physical_Environment.html

FLIGHT IN TURBULENCE AND UNSTEADY FLOW: Effects of environmental turbulence on insect flight performance and movement patterns

http://npb.ucdavis.edu/labs/combes/Turbulence.html

MORPHOLOGY AND FLIGHT CONTROL: Flexible wing morphology and secondary control structures in insect flight

http://npb.ucdavis.edu/labs/combes/Morphology_and_Control.html

Awards

- U.C. Davis Chancellor's Fellowship, 2019-2024

- Roslyn Abramson Award for excellence and sensitivity in teaching undergraduates, Harvard University, 2014

- Certificate of Teaching Excellence, Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, Harvard University, 2013

- NSF Early Faculty Development (CAREER) Award, 2013

- Miller Institute post-doctoral research fellowship, U.C. Berkeley, 2004-2007\

Graduate Group Affiliations

Animal Behavior Graduate Group

Ecology Graduate Group

Entomology Graduate Program, affiliate member

Department and Center Affiliations

Center for Neuroscience, affiliate member

Professional Societies

Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB)

Society for Experimental Biology (SEB)

Teaching Interests

Animal Behavior, Biomechanics, Physiological Ecology, Scientific Writing

Content by Dr. Stacey Combes

Bumblebees Carry Heavy Loads in Economy Mode

Social Bee-stortion: Exploring Pesticide’s Effects on Pollinators

Flight Turbulence: New Study Explores How Flies Navigate Unstable Convective Air

Stacey Combes and "Why These Bumblebees Are Wearing Itty-Bitty QR Codes" in Wired

Training a Bee to Fly Upwind: Stacey Combes’ Research Reveals the Complex Biomechanics that Help Insects Survive

Department Diversity

NPB Diversity Mission Statement

With the recognition that one of UC Davis’ core missions is to provide educational opportunities for all students, encompassing diversity in gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds, citizenship, pregnancy status, mental or physical disabilities, and many more categories (see our Statement of Nondiscrimination for details), we in the Department of Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior affirm our commitment to increasing participation by underrepresented groups in our undergraduate student body, our undergraduate research assistants, our graduate student body, our postdoctoral associates, our faculty, and our staff. Our goals are to provide a safe and equitable environment and to create and maintain a culture of support and inclusion of underrepresented members in our department.

NPB Equity Advisors

The Equity Advisors act as liaisons between NPB and the campus and interpret and work to implement policies that relate to equity and inclusion. The Equity Advisors serve as departmental consultants in faculty searches, advancement and retention, and creating/maintaining a departmental climate for equity and inclusion.

Reporting Incidents of Intolerance or Harassment

As reflected in our Principles of Community, at UC Davis we are committed to confronting and rejecting “all manifestations of discrimination, including those based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, status within or outside the university, or any of the other differences among people which have been excuses for misunderstanding, dissension or hatred.” Accordingly, UC Davis strives to maintain an inclusive and diverse work and learning environment free of hate and bias.

If you believe you have experienced or witnessed an act of hate, bias, discrimination or harassment, please report it so the university can take appropriate action.

NPB Undergraduate Diversity

NPB Diversity Mission Statement

NPB Equity Advisors

Reporting Incidents of Intolerance or Harassment

If you believe you have experienced or witnessed an act of hate, bias, discrimination or harassment, please report it so the university can take appropriate action.

Dr. Stacey Combes

Position Title Professor Vice Chair of Academic Affairs

Profile Introduction

Degrees

Research Interests

AERIAL INTERACTIONS: Biomechanics and behavior during aerial predator-prey and aggressive interactions

FLIGHT IN COMPLEX PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS: Maneuvering flight through clutter; collisions and consequences of insect wing damage

FLIGHT IN TURBULENCE AND UNSTEADY FLOW: Effects of environmental turbulence on insect flight performance and movement patterns

MORPHOLOGY AND FLIGHT CONTROL: Flexible wing morphology and secondary control structures in insect flight

Awards

Graduate Group Affiliations

Department and Center Affiliations

Professional Societies

Teaching Interests

Tags

NPB Diversity Mission Statement

NPB Equity Advisors

Reporting Incidents of Intolerance or Harassment

NPB Diversity Mission Statement

NPB Equity Advisors

Reporting Incidents of Intolerance or Harassment

Position Title

Professor

Vice Chair of Academic Affairs