2023 Field Biology Award: Paulina L. González-Gómez

Paulina L. González-Gómez

Paulina L. González-Gómez’s field biology work focuses on how environmental variability shapes the integration of gene expression patterns, behavior, physiology and life history of birds. She investigates these traits and the conditions that lead to them in both hummingbirds and Rufous-collared Sparrows. As she studies environmental variability and how species cope with changes, she seeks ways to predict the effects of climate change.

Working with the Rufous-collared Sparrow in Chile, González-Gómez has investigated reproductive and molt responses to changes in seasons. Her research with hummingbirds has focused on understanding how these birds manage a small energy budget, and how their learning capacity and memory allow them to successfully adapt their foraging to changing vs. constant environments.

In all her work, Paulina demonstrates original use of the natural experiments offered by geographic range and in-depth analyses of the mechanisms of variable traits.

For more information, visit https://plgonzalezgomez.wixsite.com/plgonzalezgomez.

---

The Maxwell/Hanrahan Awards in Field Biology support individual scientists, elevate their diverse perspectives and enable them to commit time to the observation and experimentation that help us better understand ourselves and the world around us.