Welcome to the Comparative Biomaterials Lab at Chapman University led by Dr. Douglas Fudge. We study a wide range of materials made by animals, including nano-scale filaments within cells, slimes secreted to ward off predators, and large structures like the keratinous plates of baleen whales. Recent research on the biology of hagfishes took us to the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador.
We are committed to applying what we learn from the study of biomaterials to real-life challenges, such as how we can make high performance materials for industry that are more eco-friendly in their manufacture and disposal. Animals make outstanding materials for a wide variety of functions without the benefit of petroleum and without fouling their environment, and we believe that humans could do the same if we listen to the lessons biology has to teach.
To explore current research in the Comparative Biomaterials Lab, click on the links below and check out our Publications.
Fudge Lab News
McCord lab starting up at CSU Dominguez Hills
Postdoc Charlie McCord landed a job as an assistant professor at CSU Dominguez Hills, where she will be starting in Fall 2019. Congrats Charlie!
Galapagos Island Expedition
The Fudge Lab recently got back from a research expedition to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador as part of an NSF-funded project on the biogenesis and evolution of hagfish slime and slime glands. Other members of the team include Charlie McCord and Tim Winegard from...
Searching for the elusive black hagfish
Members of the Fudge Lab had an awe-inspiring day on the water aboard the R/V Yellowfin with Dr. Chris Lowe and the CSU Shark Lab. It was the Fudge Lab's first contact with black hagfish, which are common off the California coast, but are found only in deep water. We...
Fudge Lab Class of 2019 graduation plans
Chris Hoang has been accepted into Chapman's MS program in Computational and Data Sciences. Emma Whitely is headed to Medical School at the University of Toledo. Lauren Friend will be attending Columbia University to get a Masters in Biomedical Engineering focusing on...
Sara Siwiecki headed to Yale!
Sara Siwiecki (’18) once worked in the lab studying the biophysics of mucous expansion in hagfish slime. Now, she has been awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship - a highly competitive and distinguished award. She will use this to support...
Research Projects in the Fudge Lab
