Today Dr. David Scholnick is appearing on MSNBC, after his video of a shrimp on a treadmill became an internet sensation, especially amongst the stoner set. Scholnick, a professor at Pacific University, made the treadmill to study crustacean muscular fatigue.

According to Pacific University's website:

"My colleague, Lou Burnett, and I are hoping we can use the appearance on "The Today Show" to highlight the importance of undergraduate research at our institutions," said Dr. Scholnick. "[We hope to] draw some attention to how our work may help us gain a better understanding of the health of marine organisms and their importance to our oceans."

 

 

 

To illustrate the work, Dr. Scholnick will be using a unique invention. He constructed a treadmill for shrimp and other crustaceans. The treadmill encourages the shrimp to exercise and allows researchers to simulate and measure effects of fatigue in control and experimental groups.

 

 

The study began while Dr. Scholnick was working at the College of Charelton's Grice Marine Laboratory and Hollings Marine Laboratory. The central hypothesis driving the research is that infectious disease can compromise the respiratory systems of lower vertebrates and invertebrates and thereby limit the ability of animals to sustain and recover from normal activities.

 

 

At Pacific, many of Dr. Scholnick's students have access to the tools of the study, and it is just one of many creative ways Dr. Scholnick is encouraging and facilitating hands-on scientific research for his students.

 

Check out the Today Show if you are interested in viewing more mesmerizing crustacean exercise techniques.