Our fourth fabulous woman in STEM is Professor Gail Patricelli, who studies bird courtship.
Gail studies “animal communication and sexual selection, with a focus on understanding the amazing diversity and complexity in animals signals.” One of her current projects examines the “causes and functional implications of directional sound radiation in songbirds”. Gail has used video cameras and robots to study Australian bowerbirds and the North American greater sage-grouse, both of which have complex mating rituals. Her use of robotic female birds has helped her to more clearly understand courtship and the evolution of exaggerated male traits.
Twitter: @GailPatricelli