Team Leader
EV Voltura
Texas A&M University
Veterinary Pathobiology
evvoltura@tamu.edu
Project Type
Research
Who Can Join
Graduate Students, Masters Students, Undergraduate Students
Project Description
The Parrots' Project is a collaborative effort to bring together scientific and avicultural knowledge about parrots to better understand their health, behavior, and environments through a One Health lens. We’re building a physical and digital library that connects research, citizen science, veterinary medicine, wildlife photography, and avicultural records into one accessible resource. By sharing what we know and documenting what we see, we can help protect parrots and improve their care—both in the wild and in human homes. Our primary starting points are dietary habits and reproduction. Students actively engaged in The Parrots’ Project activities will have the potential to gain comprehensive, hands-on experience across multiple stages of the research process (e.g., conducting thorough literature reviews, synthesizing existing knowledge, identifying relevant research gaps, experimental design, data collection and analysis, field/lab work, scientific writing and communication by assisting with the preparation of research reports, publications, etc.). Through these activities students will cultivate critical thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration skills vital to addressing complex issues at the nexus of parrot, human, and environmental health. Members will be given the opportunity for co-authorship of publications or presentations if normal requirements are met.
Team Needs
We seek undergraduates with a variety of backgrounds to move this project forward. Majors of interest include, but are not limited to: biology, chemistry, neuroscience, animal science, nutrition science, environmental science, pre-med and pre-vet, library science, public communications, philosophy, statistics, public health, sociology, natural resources/conservation, English language and literature, engineering, management information systems, foreign languages, and visual arts. There is a large amount of literature only available in languages other than English and thus those who speak multiple languages are encouraged to apply.
The time commitment is expected to be 10-15 hours per week and may include weekend and holiday work. Applicants should be comfortable either working with animals or learning about how to work with animals in research in an ethical manner.
To apply, please submit an application via email that includes the following:
Cover Letter – Please include your major, GPA, current course load, an explanation of why you are interested in the project, what you hope to gain from participating the project, and a real world example of how you improved a team project in the past.
Special Opportunities
Students involved in The Parrots’ Project will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience across multiple stages of the research process within a collaborative, interdisciplinary setting. Activities may include conducting literature reviews and synthesizing information from scientific, veterinary, and avicultural sources; assisting with experimental design, data collection, and data analysis; participating in field or laboratory work; and contributing to scientific writing and communication through research reports, presentations, or manuscript preparation. Through sustained participation, students will develop critical thinking skills, learn how research questions evolve over time, and gain experience working across disciplines that intersect animal health, human health, and environmental systems. Students will also become familiar with ethical considerations involved in animal-based research and collaborative scientific work. Those who make substantive contributions to the project may have the opportunity to earn co-authorship on publications or presentations in accordance with standard authorship guidelines.