Academic Education:

A.B, Biology, Hiram College, Hiram, OH
Ph.D., Zoology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI


Appointments:

Teaching Associate, Hiram College, Hiram, OH (1968-1970)

Biology Teacher, The Hawken School, Gates Mills, OH (1970-1972)

Teaching Assistant, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1973-1975)

Research Assistant, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1976-1979)

Lecturer, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor1978 ()

Postdoctoral Scholar, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (1979-1980)

Postdoctoral Scholar, University of California, Irvine (1980-1982)

Lecturer, University of California, Irvine (1980-1982)

Assistant Professor, Northeastern University, Boston, MA (1982-1988)

Associate Professor, Northeastern University, Boston, MA (1988-1995)

Member of the Editorial Board, Physiological Zoology (1996-2005 )

Professor, Northeastern University, Boston, MA (1995-Present)


Research Interests:

My major research interest is the in vivo function of skeletal muscle during movement. More specifically my current research investigates the mechanical function of skeletal muscle in vivo and the links between mechanical function and energy use. I use an integrative approach that combines organismal measures of energetics, kinematics, and kinetics with more invasive procedures that monitor in vivo the length, activity, and energy use of individual muscles in freely moving animals. His current research focuses primarily on walking and running, but past work has included studies of swimming, flying, and jumping. Major equipment items in my laboratory include a digital high-speed video system, a small-animal force plate, respirometry equipment, a 14 channel electromyography system, and a multichannel sonomicrometer system. Experiments have been conducted with numerous species of animals, and work has begun on human subjects.

Teaching Activities:

My current teaching focuses on a general course in Animal Physiology and an advanced course on the Biology of Muscle and Movement. In the Animal physiology course I cover many of the major systems of the body thoroughly, including organismal metabolism and temperature regulation, skeletal muscle, respiration, circulation, and salt and water balance. Essential information on transport and neural communication is covered but in less detail. A major focus in developing this class has been making the laboratory experience reflect modern techniques in animals and human physiology. Students perform measurements, synthesize group data, and gain experience in writing in the format of a scientific report. The Biology of Muscle Class covers current literature on the function of muscle from the level of the cross-bridge to the integrated function of muscle during movement. This class covers topics in enough detail that the students gain an understanding of recent progress in the field. The emphasis is on integrating function across levels of organization.

Selected Publications:

Carr, J.E., D.J. Ellerby, J. Rubenson, and R.L. Marsh 2011. Mechanisms producing coordinated function across the breadth of a large biarticular thigh muscle J. Exp. Biol. 214 (20), 3396-3404

Carr, J.E., D.J. Ellerby, and R.L. Marsh. 2011. Function of a large biarticular hip and knee extensor during walking and running in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) J. Exp. Biol. 214 (20), 3405-3413.

Carr, J.E., D.J. Ellerby, and R.L. Marsh 2011. Differential segmental strain during active lengthening in a large biarticular thigh muscle during running. J. Exp. Biol. 214 (20), 3386-3395.

Watson, R.R., J. Rubenson, L. Coder, D.F. Hoyt, M.W.G. Propert, and R.L. Marsh. 2011. Gait-specific energetics contributes to economical walking and running in emus and ostriches. Proc. R. Soc. B 278: 2040-2046.

Ellerby, D. J. and Marsh, R. L. 2010. The mechanical function of linked muscles in the guinea fowl hind limb. J Exp Biol 213, 2201-2208.

Rubenson, J. and Marsh, R. L. 2009. Mechanical efficiency of limb swing during walking and running in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). J. Appl. Physiol. 106, 1618-1630.

Marsh, R. L., Ellerby, D. J., Henry, H. T. and Rubenson, J. 2006. The energetic costs of trunk and distal limb loading during walking and running in guinea fowl Numida meleagris. I. Organismal metabolism and biomechanics. J. Exp. Biol. 209, 2050-2063.

Ellerby, D. J. and Marsh, R. L. 2006. The energetic costs of trunk and distal limb loading during walking and running in guinea fowl Numida meleagris. II. Muscle energy use as indicated by blood flow. J. Exp. Biol. 209: 2064-2075.

Rubenson, J., H. T. Henry, P. M. Dimoulas and R. L. Marsh. 2006. The cost of running uphill: linking organismal and muscle energy use in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). J. Exp. Biol. 209: 2395-2408.

Marsh, R.L. and D.J. Ellerby. 2006. Partitioning locomotor energy use among and within muscles. Muscle blood flow as a measure of muscle oxygen consumption. J. Exp. Biol. 209: 2385-2394.


Complete List of Publications

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