Noah Cowan PhD
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
ncowan@jhu.edu
Telephone Number: 410-516-5301
Johns Hopkins University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
3400 N. Charles Street
Room: Hackerman Hall 121
Lab Page
Telephone Number: 410-516-5301
Johns Hopkins University
Department of Mechanical Engineering
3400 N. Charles Street
Room: Hackerman Hall 121
Lab Page
Areas of Research
Systems, Cognitive + Computational NeuroscienceNeural Circuits, Ensembles + Connectomes
Graduate Program Affiliations
Navigation and control in animals and machines
The Locomotion in Mechanical and Biological Systems (LIMBS) laboratory at Johns Hopkins University focuses on understanding how animals and robots move. By studying the principles of animal movement, the lab aims to reverse engineer the biomechanical and neural control mechanisms that enable agile and efficient locomotion. This knowledge is then applied to robotics, where the team designs innovative control systems inspired by biological insights.
The LIMBS lab combines expertise from engineering, neuroscience, and integrative biology. We use sophisticated experimental and modeling techniques to explore how the brain and body work together to achieve movement. Collaborating closely with neuroscientists, we investigate how sensory information is processed and used to guide movement, in both animals and robots. This interdisciplinary approach allows us to uncover new principles of sensory guidance and control.
The work done at the LIMBS lab has practical applications in many areas, such as developing better prosthetics, improving robotic systems for search and rescue missions, and enhancing our understanding of neurological disorders that affect movement. By bridging the gap between biology and engineering, the LIMBS lab is driving innovations that could significantly impact both healthcare and technology.