u n d e r g r a d u a t e . r e s e a r c h.. o p p o r t u n i t i e s

My general interests are to understand how organism function is influenced from integration of solutions to multiple problems. My approach is both theoretical and experimental. I use mathematical methods to predict consequences for variation from "best" solutions to single problems. I then use the predictions to test organism performances to discover the reasons for not being "best" because of solutions to other problems.

My research now concerns integration of temperature variation with foraging. I use temperature because it is relatively easy to measure. I use heat exchange equations to model the dynamics of time and energy use for cycles of shuttling for basking ectotherms, incubating birds and desert animals, each of which shuttles between heat exchange sites and foraging sites.

This work has led to a very different way to understand how temperatures may be controlled and how foraging is constrained by shuttling for heat. Experimental work involves re-analyzing published data for incubating Yellow-eyed Juncos, White-crowned Sparrows and hummingbirds using the new ideas. Also, laboratory and field experiments are in progress with incubating house wrens.

Both the philosophical and practical approaches I use in my research are extensions of those introduced in BIO 346, and they are more fully developed in Bio 455, Animal Physiological Ecology Lab. Because it is important to know why and how to make predictions before doing experiments, anyone interested in working on these or related problems should plan to take these courses.

Restrictions: See above.

F. Reed Hainsworth
011 Lyman Hall
443-2155
frhainsw@syr.edu