This National Science Foundation Project Grant award of $276,000 funds a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biology from August 1, 2022 to July 31, 2024 under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074). The fellowship supports research and training to investigate how seasonal monsoon rains in the desert Southwest assist songbird migration and refueling at stopover sites.
The fellow will quantify the contribution of periodic monsoon rains to songbirds' water reserves and determine if metabolic performance is constrained by water balance. An isotopic assay allowing detection of the monsoon pulse in animal tissues will be applied. Additionally, the fellow will measure whole-animal metabolic performance using respirometry and refueling using plasma metabolite analysis on free-living birds. The research aims to further understanding of how changing monsoon patterns may impact wildlife by precisely measuring monsoon rainfall benefits currently utilized. Broader impacts include developing a workshop to promote postdoctoral fellowship diversity.