Jacqueline Webb Lab

Dr. Jacqueline Webb

Dr. Webb is a professor at the University of Rhode Island. Her lab focuses on the development and evolution of sensory biology in different species of freshwater and saltwater fish.

Dr. Webb's lab is focused on the mechanosensory lateral line system, which is a vertebrate sensory system found in all 30,000+ fishes. This detects water flows, which is crucial for finding prey, avoiding predators, navigation, etc. The lateral line system is made up of many small sense organs, which are known as neuromasts, located on the skin and in tubular canals on the head, trunk, and tail. The lateral line system has two major features: it is a major part of the skull of bony fishes and is a crucial system in fish to perform important behaviors. Understanding this system in fish can help better understand how fish may be able to overcome different challenges in their environment.

This lab utilizes different techniques and tools, including

• Histology

• Scanning electron microscopes (SEM)

• CT/μCT

• Vital fluorescent imaging

Students interested in working in Dr. Webb's lab are encouraged to email her at jacqueline_webb@uri.edu and indicate the nature of your interests. Dr. Webb requires one semester of volunteer work before considering a student for research credits or paid research.