Marianne Porter, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, received the Faculty Advocate Award from the 6th Annual Women/Womxn’s Leadership Institute on March 27, 2021. The award is to recognize Porter for her continued efforts in embodying the spirit of “Voices of the Unheard: Refusing to Be Silenced” and empowering women in her lab, within the Department of Biological Sciences and the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, and in the FAU community. Porter’s work has greatly contributed to improving gender equality, and gender-inclusive and gender-neutral infrastructure at Florida Atlantic University.
Porter’s research is in comparative biomechanics and functional morphology. Her research focuses on understanding the mechanics of stiff biological materials; in particular, she is interested in cartilaginous vertebral column materials, mechanics, and how mechanics impact swimming speed and style. She also explores questions about skeletal system impacts on physiology, behavior, ecology, and evolution. Learn more about the Florida Atlantic Biomechanics Laboratory.