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\title{Science AMA Series: I'm Travis Hagey, a Postdoctoral Fellow at Michigan
State University studying the sticky toes of gecko lizards. AMA!}



\author[1]{Travis_Hagey }%
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  \date{April 24, 2026}


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\begin{abstract}
I am a postdoctoral researcher at Michigan State University
investigating the biomechanics, evolution, and ecology of gecko lizards
with special attention to their adhesive toes. I've always been
interested in figuring out how things work and my research blends that
interest with biology. I use an evolutionary approach to understand why
animals are shaped the way they're shaped, This kind of work is
sometimes called functional morphology or comparative biomechanics. I
specifically focus on the toe pads of gecko lizards, an amazing example
of natural nano-technology. Gecko toe pads are a really great system to
work with because they have some really unusual mechanics and
evolutionary patterns. Unlike other adhesives you may be familiar with
(glue, tape, velcro, suction cups), gecko toe pads work completely
differently. They are made up of tiny hair-like structures that are much
smaller then mammalian hair. These structures are small enough to
interact with the surface the gecko is walking on using van der Waals
forces (an induced dipole - induced dipole weak intermolecular bond).
Simply put, the fact that the gecko hairs are very small and have
electrons spinning around them and the surface the gecko is walking on
also has electrons spinning around its molecules, results in the gecko
hairs being weakly attracted towards the surface. The really interesting
part is trying to figure out why there is so much variation across
species. Gecko toe pads come in different shapes and their hairs also
come in different lengths, diameters, and densities. We're just now
beginning to look into how/why this variation evolved and its affect on
performance. With this research, we'll not only gain a better
understanding of how life on our planet has evolved and adapted to
different environments, but some of the things we learn can be applied
to help solve complex human problems (biomimicry), like sticking to
things in space or designing Spiderman gloves. I also have a live
crowdfunding project at
https://experiment.com/projects/are-the-feet-of-gecko-lizards-adapted-to-different-surface-textures
you should check out. I will be back at 1 pm ET to answer your
questions, Ask Me Anything! Sorry everybody! There was a scheduling
snafu! I'll be checking this all day on Sunday (4/16) to answer your
questions! Also check out a video of a lecture I gave in 2014 at the
University of Idaho https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzmXxp\_tjj8%
\end{abstract}%



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