Alma's Spiderman
Dr. David Clark's research subjects watch TV. The unusual aspect is his subjects are usually spiders.
Clark, professor of biology, has dedicated his research to animal communication and the evolution of visual displays. His studies have focused mainly on the dimorphic jumping spider.
In some of his most recognized research, his computer creation called Hypothetical Ancestral Morph (H.A.M.) presents a realistic, animated image on a hand-held television screen to live female jumping spiders. He has become one of the first researchers to use video animation technologies in successful experiments.
Clark's work has been published in various scientific journals, including Animal Behaviour and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and was cited in Natural History. His work has been featured in National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, The Chicago Tribune, The New York Times and The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Clark has taught classes in animal behavior, biology of spiders, ecology, evolution, general zoology, invertebrate biology, introductory biology, human genetics and scientific methods. His research projects with Alma College undergraduates have examined female spider mate choice, reproductive success and predation risks of the two male morphs.
Clark was awarded the Barlow Award for Faculty Excellence in 2000. He obtained his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Central Michigan University and his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati.
