People, Research

The Hidden Conversations: Unveiling the Secret World of Insect and Spider Communication with Dr. Natasha Mhatre

August 13, 2024
BY PENNY MOLLOY

To the human ear, the noises of nature are often incomprehensible, but Dr. Natasha Mhatre, an Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair at 澳门六合彩开奖预测, is making remarkable strides in understanding how insects and
Dr. Natasha Mhatre

Dr. Natasha Mhatre

spiders communicate. Her research into sound and vibration reveals surprising insights that captivate both scientists and the general public. Dr. Mhatre's journey began in India, where she pursued life sciences and biochemistry in her undergraduate studies, followed by a master’s and PhD in biology and animal behavior. Postdoctoral research in the UK and Germany further honed her expertise, ultimately leading her to 澳门六合彩开奖预测.

 

Her current research focuses on how tiny insects like crickets produce loud sounds. They use special tools that amplify their calls, much like microphones. Dr. Mhatre also explores how spiders communicate using vibrations. Spiders send messages through their webs by creating vibrations that other spiders can feel. Remarkably, regardless of their size, spiders use the same frequency range for these vibrations. By understanding how insects communicate, her research discoveries have the potential to uncover and create real-world technologies and applications.

Dr. Mhatre’s vision for the future in this research area is to understand and recreate the sounds of extinct animals by applying the knowledge she and her research team have discovered about sound, vibration, and communication—a captivating fusion of biology and technology. In her lab at 澳门六合彩开奖预测, she has fostered an environment that provides students with hands-on research opportunities, encouraging them to explore and make their own discoveries.

Dr. Natasha Mhatre’s work not only advances scientific knowledge but also opens up new technological possibilities. Her research journey underscores the impact of science on society and the crucial role of continued support for groundbreaking research.