My research fellowship focused on understanding how five species of obligate army-ant-following birds make foraging decisions in the Peruvian Amazon. These highly specialized birds feed solely on insects and other prey that are flushed from the forest floor by swarms of army ants, creating a unique system in which multiple bird species compete for the same food resource. Using a long-term dataset collected by Dr. Susan Willson in the Peruvian Amazon, I applied statistical modeling and model selection techniques to investigate the environmental and social factors that influence where individual birds choose to forage each day.
Through this project, I strengthened my skills in data analysis, statistical modeling in R, model selection, and scientific writing while gaining experience at the intersection of data science and ornithological ecology. The biweekly presentations I gave to the Math Department significantly strengthened my presentation and communication skills. Presenting biological research to an audience without a background in biology challenged me to develop a deeper understanding of the ecological concepts behind my analysis and to find ways to explain them clearly and meaningfully to non-biologists. These presentations also taught me how to work effectively under the pressure of regular deadlines and communicate complex ideas with confidence.
Working under the mentorship of Dr. Leiyue Li and Dr. Susan Willson was one of the most meaningful parts of this experience. Their dedication to their fields gave me a firsthand perspective on what it means to be passionate enough about an area of study to devote your career to it. Just as importantly, having mentors who were deeply invested in my learning and growth and genuinely had my best interests at heart showed me the value of mentorship in academic and professional development.
This fellowship reinforced my passion for using data to answer meaningful scientific questions and demonstrated the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. The project will continue through the preparation and submission of a manuscript for publication, giving me valuable exposure to the academic publication process while also giving me the privilege to contribute to a better understanding of animal behavior. The experience has provided a strong foundation for my future work applying data-driven methods to real-world challenges.