GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT: Bill Hsuing

My interests in science stemmed from a little boy’s fascination with dinosaurs. The novels “Jurassic Park” and “The Lost World” by Michael Crichton further drove me to study molecular biology and genetic engineering, and once had me believe that we could solve most human problems (i.e. cure diseases) through the power of biotechnology. However, a personal setback related to a health issue had me second doubt that idea. During that same period of time, I learned about Biomimicry through Janine Benyus’s TEDTalks, and it opened up my eyes. I entered the Integrated Bioscience Ph.D. program at The University of Akron because it is the first and only program around the world that offers a track to advanced biomimicry study and research at the Ph.D. level. Sponsored by the Sherwin-Williams company, and co-advised by Dr. Blackledge (spiders) and Dr. Shawkey (avian colors), the goal of my doctoral research was to solve human problems by advancing fundamental research through biomimicry. Hence, I focused on studying how colors are produced in spiders along with their potential technical applications.