Andrea Contina, Ph.D. | Principal Investigator. I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. I study avian communities and their movements across North and Central America through molecular methods, such as stable isotopes and DNA markers, along with technological advances involving miniaturized tracking devices and biologging. My work has direct applications in ecology, evolution, and conservation biology. My research projects acquire novel ecological knowledge to inform conservation plans and to create a narrative that increases wildlife protection, sustainable resource management, and creates opportunities for interdisciplinary education in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

Nick Ivers. I am a postdoctoral fellow at UT-RGV, and received my PhD from UT-Austin in 2023 where I combined landscape and disease ecology to study bee decline. My research tries to understand pollinator movement across human-modified landscapes and how that influences their ability to pollinate and their risk of parasitism. In the Contina lab I will be building an energy budget model for migratory birds by estimating insect abundance using on-the-ground surveys and weather radar data. I’m excited to investigate the spatial ecology of insects and birds in the Rio Grande Valley and hopefully uncover key habitats to maximize conservation efforts.  

Dileka Kariyawasam. I am an MSc student at UTRGV and a birder. I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. For my undergraduate research, I worked on the evolutionary and ecological characterization of the Ashy-headed Laughingthrush, an endemic babbler species in Sri Lanka. I also contributed to a project examining the influence of urbanization on the dawn chorus of garden birds. I’m interested in avian evolution, ecology, and bioacoustics. I am passionate about uncovering the intricate relationships between habitat changes, migratory patterns, and population dynamics, aiming to contribute to conservation efforts and biodiversity preservation. 

Ian Becker. I am a grad student pursuing a MS at UTRGV. I graduated from Occidental College in 2024 with a B.A. in Biology with a concentration in environmental science. My undergraduate work largely revolved around using computational techniques to analyze trends in urban ground birds. I am interested in using these methods to analyze how both large- and small-scale movement as well as habitat selection are affected by global change. In addition, as an avid birder I am interested by these applications in conservation biology. 

Lexi McGrew. I am an incoming graduate student pursuing a MS degree at UTRGV. I graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Management, with minors in Spanish and Geographic Information Science (GIS). At Auburn, I worked as an Undergraduate Research Fellow studying the effects of UV light exposure on plumage pigments of yellow songbirds. I am passionate about spatial ecology, conservation biology, and evolutionary ecology. I am also interested in understanding the physiological adaptations that make migration possible and examining the large-scale patterns and behaviors involving migration. 

Evan Farese. I am a former MS student in Dr. Karl Berg’s lab at UTRGV and I am broadly interested in avian ecology and conservation. I am a regional reviewer for eBird and a birding guide in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in Texas. For my MS thesis, I conducted a comparison of nest success and prey between natural and urban territories of Gray Hawk in southern Texas. This summer, I will conduct research on Painted Bunting migration in Texas and Oklahoma. 

Valeria Sini. I am an Environmental Scientist, with a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy, specializing in biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability. My expertise includes both biotic and abiotic aspects of ecology, with a solid foundation in environmental protection, throughout wildlife monitoring and the development of sustainable solutions. I am passionate about applying innovative, multidisciplinary research to advance conservation strategies and enhance wildlife protection efforts.

Karinne Tennenbaum. I am a senior undergraduate at Yale University pursuing a B.S. in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology on track to an academic career in ornithology. I have diverse research experience in ichthyology, herpetology, and tropical forestry. I have examined the structural coloration in the plumage of a Venezuelan hummingbird and investigated threats to shorebirds in Chile's Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve. I am greatly interested in avian migration and physiology. My work at UTRGV centers on applying machine learning to bioacoustics to better identify the nocturnal flight calls of migrants traveling along the North American Flyway. 

William Buswell. I am a sophomore undergraduate at Cornell University pursuing a B.S. in Environment & Sustainability and an academic career in ornithology. So far, I have worked on DNA extraction for population analysis of Song Sparrows as well as point count surveys for Massachusetts grassland birds. I am particularly passionate about uncovering the ways evolutionary ecology and bioacoustics can aid in crafting conservation efforts. Here at UTRGV, my work centers on using machine learning systems that can identify avian nocturnal flight calls to analyze migratory populations traveling through the Rio Grande.  

Karl S. Berg. Associate Professor, School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Karl founded The Lab of Avian Ecology at UTRGV in 2014. He uses empirical, experimental and phylogenetic comparative approaches to understanding behavior in free-ranging birds. Karl’s field work has advanced our understanding of how birds communicate. Shortly after concluding his Ph.D., Berg took over the long-term green-rumped parrotlet study, initiated by Steven Beissinger in the Llanos of Venezuela. Parrots, with their colorful tropical plumages and charismatic "talking", represent the pinnacle of behavioral and vocal complexity among birds. https://www.utrgv.edu/avianecology/index.htm 

Stephanie Bilodeau. Refuge Manager U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. Stephanie is a conservation biologist specializing in avian ecology and wildlife management, with a particular focus on habitat protection in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (South Texas). She is interested in monitoring the impacts of environmental changes on bird populations, the conservation of critical habitats, and strategies for managing wildlife in this ecologically significant region. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/santa-ana 

Mark Conway. I am a bird bander, avid birder, and retired teacher with a lifelong dedication to ornithology and education. I grew up in Lufkin in East Texas and graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. I provide bird banding training to students, sharing my knowledge and helping to cultivate their skills in both fieldwork and ecological research. In addition, I actively contribute to research projects by assisting with data collection and monitoring efforts, ensuring the next generation of ornithologists is well-equipped for future challenges in avian research and conservation. 

Timothy H. Keitt. Professor, Department of Integrative Biology, The University of Texas at Austin. Timothy Keitt founded the Digital Ecology Laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin in 2002. The lab focuses on advancing ecological research through the integration of artificial intelligence, environmental sensing technologies, and spatial analysis. By combining cutting-edge computational tools with field-based studies, we aim to understand complex ecological systems, monitor biodiversity, and address pressing environmental challenges. https://keittlab.org/ 

Clark S. Rushing. Associate Professor, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia. My research focuses primarily on the ecology and conservation of migratory birds, with projects falling within three major themes: 1) Development of full-annual-cycle models to quantify seasonal vital rates and their influence on population dynamics; 2) Demographic consequences of climate change and incorporating climate change into on conservation planning for migratory birds; and 3) Quantifying the influence of long-distance dispersal on individuals and populations. https://www.rushinglab.com/author/clark-s.-rushing/ 

Nicole Wonderlin. Postdoctoral Fellow. I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Texas at Austin. My work is in collaboration with the Resilience In Species and Ecosystems flagship of the Planet Texas 2050 Bridging Barriers Initiative. Our goal is to examine how ecological communities are responding to anthropogenically-induced changes in the environment, and how these changes affect ecosystem function. We approach these questions by combining data collected from biodiversity, micro-climate, and ecosystem process sensing technology with large biodiversity and environmental datasets. https://nicolewonderlin.weebly.com 

TJ Zenzal. Research Ecologist at the USGS Wetland and Aquatic Research Center. My research interests include the movement and behavioral ecology of wildlife, particularly birds, with an emphasis on conservation. My research integrates traditional field methods (e.g., bird banding, surveys) with technological advancements (e.g., radio telemetry, weather surveillance radar, isotopes, RFID) to better understand the ecology of avian species as they face severe weather events, habitat/land use change, climate change, and the migratory journey. My dissertation work focused on the stopover ecology of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird in coastal Alabama. https://www.usgs.gov/staff-profiles/tj-zenzal 

Natalie Bautista. I am a Marine Biology undergraduate interested in movement ecology across many different species of animals. I am currently leading a project on the migration of marine birds in the Lower Rio Grande Valley.

Layla Arambul. I am a Biology undergrad with a minor in American Sign Language. I am interested in bird migration and general ornithology. I am currently involved in a project studying the migration patterns of birds in the lower Rio Grande Valley.

Linzey Arambul. I am a Biology undergraduate interested in animal conservation. I am collaborating in a project studying the migration patterns of birds in the lower Rio Grande Valley.