About us
We are a scientific couple who travel with our cat in a motorhome.
Emi
I'm Emi, born and raise in La Pampa, Argentina: I love barbecue, the unique sunsets of my province, and sharing "mate" 🧉 with my friends and family. I studied for a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences at the National University of La Pampa, where, over the years, I discovered that my vocation was birds and everything they teach us about nature. That passion led me to graduate in 2015 and then continue my education with a PhD in Biology at the National University of Comahue. I specialized in the breeding ecology of the Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) and the Fork-Tailed Fly catcher (Tyrannus savana), thanks to a CONICET fellowship.
After that, I did two postdocs that not only broadened my scientific perspective but also led me to work on collaborative projects, travel, live in new places, and keep learning every day. The first one was at the Institute of Earth and Environmental Sciences in La Pampa, focused on the conservation of an endangered bird, the Yellow Cardinal (Gubernatrix cristata). The second one I am doing at Virginia Tech, researching the evolution of migratory behavior in birds.
Beyond generating knowledge, I am motivated by the desire to make science more inclusive, equitable, and accessible to everyone. I deeply enjoy teaching, sharing knowledge, and learning from those around me. At work, I am particularly enthusiastic about bird banding and observation, walking in nature, collecting and systematizing data, analyzing it, comparing it, and delving deeper into the entire process that leads us to build scientific knowledge.
In my free time, I like to crochet, embroider, cook, and play volleyball. I have always been a cat lover: felines have a special place in my heart. But birds have been and continue to be my life. I deeply believe that ornithology is not just a career, but a way of inhabiting the world: paying attention, respecting diversity, and always seeking new ways to connect with nature, of which we are a part.
Fer
I'm Fer, although many people know me as “el Chango.” I come from Patagonia, more precisely from Neuquén, although I also feel partly from La Pampa, since I have spent most of my life between those two places. This is because in 2007 I moved there to study Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering at the National University of La Pampa. Here, between university, social events, "mates" 🧉, and barbecues (and also Emi, obviously), I joined a group that would change my life, a group that showed me the path of science through birds, ornithology.
Ornithology allowed me not only to understand nature, but also to become part of it in a deeper way. Through observation, I learned about ecological relationships, species biology, and even how to contribute to their conservation. This fascination led me to continue exploring, and after graduating, I earned a PhD in Natural Sciences from the National University of La Plata, studying the reproductive ecology of two birds that use tree holes, the American Kestrel (Falco Sparverius) and the Blue-crowned Parakeet (Thectocercus acuticaudatus).
Throughout my career, I have published several scientific articles on various species and topics, participated in conferences, taught, and worked as a private advisor and consultant. But, to be honest, the most exciting thing of all (at least for me) has been the opportunity to travel to unexpected places, meet incredible species and people, and, in one case, even move to another country. The latter led us to live in Washington, D.C., for three years, where I am doing postdoctoral research at the Smithsonian Institution on the translocation of Merlins (Falco columbarius) to protect the endangered Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus) in the Great Lakes region.
I am quiet but extroverted, always curious and enthusiastic about sharing what we do in the world of science and conservation. In addition to ornithology, I am passionate about the visual arts, such as photography, but especially filmmaking. Telling science stories outside the our traditional format: the paper. I also enjoy playing soccer (if you need someone, count me in! Although I'm pretty bad) and paddle tennis (my favorite sport), ping pong, climbing, and, from time to time, swapping birds for planes and going plane spotting. But if that weren't enough, I'm also a big fan of cooking!
Batman
Batman, our four-legged son. He was born in 2015 in La Pampa, and when we moved to the USA in 2022, we obviously brought him with us. He is an essential part of our journey around the world, as we always need him sleeping in the middle of the bed.
He loves to stare out the window for hours, as if he were monitoring the neighborhood, and every time we make video calls with our family, he makes sure to show up to say hello (or demand attention). He has his routines well established: breakfast first thing in the morning, naps almost all day, and crazy antics at night before curling up with us. With his unmistakable meow and intense, piercing gaze, Batman is the true boss of the house!
Like any good Siamese, he is very companionable and follows you everywhere, but at the same time he has a changeable mood, which is typical of this race. He is a true traveling cat who, more than just a cat, is @elmejorgatodelmundomundial (thebestcatintheworld).
