ECR Spotlight – David Sparks and Edwin Rajeev

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. David Sparks and Edwin Rajeev are authors on ‘ Swimming kinematics of rainbow trout behind a 3×5 cylinder array: a computationally driven experimental approach to understanding fish locomotion’, published in JEB. David conducted the research described in this article while a master's student in James Liao's lab at the University of Florida, USA. Edwin conducted the research described in this article while a PhD student in Alberto Canestrelli's lab at the University of Florida, USA. David is a Lab Tech in the lab of Freddyson Martinez-Rivera at the University of Florida, USA, investigating cognitive and sensory capabilities of motile, aquatic animals, especially from a comparative or ecological perspective. Edwin is a Project Engineer/Coastal Consultant in the lab of James Liao at the University of Florida, USA, leveraging high-fidelity modelling, computational analysis and biomimicry to design resilient coastal infrastructure, enhance environmental sustainability and drive climate adaptability through nature-based engineering solutions.