I try not to be cliché, but here is the obvious: there is a growing need for scientists to engage with the public. Scientific training tells us to hold our opinions back, and only leave discussions of specific topics to "the experts". But most times, the experts are us and this line of thinking has backfired on us. Beyond the rise of mistrust in scientific research, we have outsourced discussion to educators, filmmakers, bloggers, journalists, and even celebrities, that may or may not have any scientific training. The general public doesn't check people's credentials and with scientists unable or unwilling to engage, the misrepresentation of science and nature is now rampant.
As a wildlife biologist that is witnessing the natural world change around me, I feel compelled to comment and contextualize on news stories, misconceptions, discoveries, and natural or unnatural events that are taking place. Below are examples of engagements ranging from promoting the research from this laboratory to commenting on and clarifying natural phenomena and the discoveries made by others.
As a wildlife biologist that is witnessing the natural world change around me, I feel compelled to comment and contextualize on news stories, misconceptions, discoveries, and natural or unnatural events that are taking place. Below are examples of engagements ranging from promoting the research from this laboratory to commenting on and clarifying natural phenomena and the discoveries made by others.
Muscovy Duck Removal
The 32789: City Commission to vote on Muscovy Duck Removal Plan (9 Dec 2022) WEB
Hurricane Ian
Tampa Bay Times: Much of Florida is a swamp and we should take advantage of that feature as we rebuild
(13 Oct 2022) WEB PDF
Orlando Sentinel: Ian reminded us that Florida is a swamp. Commentary (7 Oct 2022) WEB PDF
Spectrum News 13: Environmental Impacts of Hurricane Ian (6 Oct 2022) VIDEO
Spectrum News 13: Hurricane Ian fish kills in Astor, Florida (6 Oct 2022) VIDEO
The 32789: City Commission to vote on Muscovy Duck Removal Plan (9 Dec 2022) WEB
Hurricane Ian
Tampa Bay Times: Much of Florida is a swamp and we should take advantage of that feature as we rebuild
(13 Oct 2022) WEB PDF
Orlando Sentinel: Ian reminded us that Florida is a swamp. Commentary (7 Oct 2022) WEB PDF
Spectrum News 13: Environmental Impacts of Hurricane Ian (6 Oct 2022) VIDEO
Spectrum News 13: Hurricane Ian fish kills in Astor, Florida (6 Oct 2022) VIDEO
Urban Fruit Bats
EurekAlert, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS): In a cross-adoption experiment researchers at Tel Aviv University found that adopted baby fruit bats behave like their adoptive mothers (16 Nov 2021) WEB
The Jerusalem Post: Nature vs. nurture: Boldness in baby fruit bats an acquired trait, not hereditary (20 Nov 2021) WEB
Haaretz: How Do Fruit Bats Survive in the City? Sheer Chutzpah (15 Nov 2021) WEB
Earth.com: Fruit bat pups take after their adoptive mothers (20 Nov 2021) WEB
Bird Feeders and Disease
The Washington Post: Your dirty bird feeder could be spreading disease (9 Feb 2021) WEB PDF
The Frederick News Post: Feeder-borne illness: Birds are falling ill due to bacteria-laden feeders (10 Feb 2021) WEB
The Spokesman Review: Don't let your bird feeder spread disease - here's how to care for it (13 Feb 2021) WEB
Seattle Times: Don't let your bird feeder spread disease. Here's how to care for it (16 Feb 2021) WEB
Richmond Times - Dispatch: Take care of your feeder to keep birds free of disease (21 Feb 2021) WEB
OLT News, Pehal News, Knowledgia, WhatNew2Day, BirdyInfo: Your dirty bird feeder could spread disease (9 Feb 2021) WEB WEB WEB WEB WEB
Melanism in Coyotes
Fox 35 Orlando: Rare black coyote spotted in Orange County (3 Dec 2020) VIDEO
Fox 35 Orlando, Fox 51 Gainesville, WOFL-ORD, WTVT Tampa: Black coyote spotted roaming in Central Florida (3 Dec 2020) WEB
The 32789: Rollins zoology class discovers rare black coyote (14 Jan 2021) WEB
Bungalower: Rollins College study uncovers rare black coyote living in Winter Park (3 Dec 2020) WEB
WDBO (and affiliates) Orlando News Talk Radio: Interview on Perspectives with Beth Parrell (13 Dec 2020) AUDIO
Bungalower: Rollins College study uncovers rare black coyote living in Winter Park (3 Dec 2020) WEB
WDBO (and affiliates) Orlando News Talk Radio: Interview on Perspectives with Beth Parrell (13 Dec 2020) AUDIO
Jobs in Biology
Zippia. The Career Expert: Experts weigh in on current job market trends (30 Nov 2020) WEB PDF
The Tiger King
Orlando Sentinel: Tiger King: Owning tigers is not conservation. Commentary (8 April 2020) WEB PDF NEWSPRINT
Population Declines in Birds
Spectrum News 13: In-Depth: Decline in North American bird populations (11 Nov 2019) VIDEO
Anole Research Highlights
Anole Annals: Fighting for food: Does food insecurity influence agonistic behavior in the brown anole? (6 Jan 2018) WEB
Anole Annals: What is the relationship between Neuropeptide Y, corticosterone and hunger in the Brown Anole? (7 Jan 2018) WEB
Mead Gardens and Winter Park
Winter Park Magazine: How does our garden grow? (2 Oct 2017) WEB PDF
Oxidative Stress in Snakes
Discovery News: Snakes Show How Eating Harms Health (5 January 2016) WEB
Science Daily: Snakes show that eating can be bad for your health (5 January 2016) WEB
Nature World News: Snake Study Shows How Eating Ultimately Decreases Lifespan (6 January 2016) WEB
Food Security and Aggression
Outside JEB: Angry birds: A hormonal link between hunger and hostility Journal of Experimental Biology 217(2):160 · (January 2014) PDF
Urbanization and Birds
Network News: CAP LTER studies effect of urbanization on native bird populations (16 November 2011) WEB
Bird Behavior
BBC Earth News: Female birds find males with glossy feathers more sexy (23 March 2010) WEB
Anole Annals: Fighting for food: Does food insecurity influence agonistic behavior in the brown anole? (6 Jan 2018) WEB
Anole Annals: What is the relationship between Neuropeptide Y, corticosterone and hunger in the Brown Anole? (7 Jan 2018) WEB
Mead Gardens and Winter Park
Winter Park Magazine: How does our garden grow? (2 Oct 2017) WEB PDF
Oxidative Stress in Snakes
Discovery News: Snakes Show How Eating Harms Health (5 January 2016) WEB
Science Daily: Snakes show that eating can be bad for your health (5 January 2016) WEB
Nature World News: Snake Study Shows How Eating Ultimately Decreases Lifespan (6 January 2016) WEB
Food Security and Aggression
Outside JEB: Angry birds: A hormonal link between hunger and hostility Journal of Experimental Biology 217(2):160 · (January 2014) PDF
Urbanization and Birds
Network News: CAP LTER studies effect of urbanization on native bird populations (16 November 2011) WEB
Bird Behavior
BBC Earth News: Female birds find males with glossy feathers more sexy (23 March 2010) WEB