OUTREACH

Inclusivity statement: In our pursuit of knowledge, we encourage an environment of collaboration, open communication, and trust, which welcomes diversity and respects differences of opinion. It is these principles that allow us to discover new ways of thinking and behaving, which lead to innovation and scientific success. Division and exclusion based on race, age, color, disability, faith, religion, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, social class, economic class, ethnicity, gender identity, and gender expression have no place in the pursuit of science. Not only is it imperative to include equity and inclusivity in the lab on a moral level, there is evidence  for synergy in having a diverse research team with different opinions and ideas when doing science. As a lab, our objective is to be inclusive in all our practices, especially in recruiting, training, mentoring, and evaluations. Everyone deserves to be treated equally and fairly.

With their enchanting appeal and unique physical capabilities, hummingbirds captivate people of all ages. As such, they serve as ambassadors to the natural world, which can foster public appreciation for scientific and conservation efforts aimed at preserving these fascinating birds, and the biodiversity upon which they depend.

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The surprising secrets of hummingbird flight

Kristiina J. Hurme and Alejandro Rico-Guevara explore the incredible flying capabilities of hummingbirds. 

Chech out this new educational resource!

Hummingbird and Flowers Project

In collaboration with Dr. Kristiina Hurme, we are using iNaturalist to collect photographs of wild hummingbirds feeding on flowers. Studies suggest that the local abundance and diversity of hummingbirds are dependent on seasonal food plant abundance.

By gathering data on the preferred plants of various hummingbird species, in addition to the timing of flower production in different areas, we can assess how plant abundance is affecting hummingbird populations.

Citizen scientists are contributing to our research by uploading their observations of hummingbirds drinking from flowers!

Scientific advisor

I collaborated on the short film SECRETS OF THE HUMMINGBIRD’S TONGUE, from Image Science Films. This project is included in the documentary “First Flight: A Mother Hummingbird’s Story”.

Dr. Kristiina Hurme and I were invited to be scientific advisors on the documentary HUMMINGBIRDS: JEWELLED MESSENGERS, from
Terra Mater Factual Studios, and narrated by David Attenborough. To
see the scenes we helped to film, click here.

Featured Researcher and Scientific Advisor for the educational resource ‘Structure and Function: Hummingbird Tongue’, WNET education; in the documentary ‘Super Hummingbirds’, PBS Nature; in the documentary series ‘Terra X: Fascinating Earth’, German public television ZDF; for the National Geographic Magazine, and
Interactive Online Resources.

Science communication
with undergrads

Resource