Mariamar Gutierrez Ramirez
PhD Candidate
B.S., Biology, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua, 2007
M.S., Natural Resources, Delaware State University, 2015
Research Interests
My current research focuses on the physiology of migration in Nearctic-Neotropical birds. By using a combination of methods, including metabolite profiling, quantative magnetic resonance, and automated radio telemetry, I aim to better understand the influence of body condition on stopover duration and total migration timing. This is important to understand, as there may be critical carry-over effects impacting fitness and survival of these species. Ultimately, I hope my research helps to inform conservation decisions.
Publications
DeSimone, J., Gutierrez Ramirez, M., Elowe, C., Griego, M., Breuner, C., Gerson, A. (2020) Developing a Stopover-CORT hypothesis: corticosterone predicts body composition and refueling rate in Gray Catbirds during migratory stopover. Hormones and Behavior 124:104776
Cohen, E., Rushing, C., Moore, F. Hallworth, M., Hostetler, J., Gutierrez Ramirez, M., and P. Marra. (2019) The strength of migratory connectivity for birds en route to breeding through the Gulf of Mexico. Ecography 42:658-669
Heckscher, CM, Gutierrez Ramirez, M, and AH Kneidel (2017) Reproductive outcomes determine the timing of arrival and settlement of a single-brooded Nearctic–Neotropical migrant songbird (Catharus fuscescens) in South America. The Auk 134(4):842-856
Lester LA, Gutierrez Ramirez M, Kneidel AH, Heckscher CM (2016) Use of a Florida Gulf Coast Barrier Island by Spring Trans-Gulf Migrants and the Projected Effects of Sea Level Rise on Habitat Availability. PLoS ONE 11(3): e0148975. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0148975
Morales, S., Zolotoff, J.M., Gutiérrez, M. & Torrez, M. (2009) Nicaragua. Pp 281–288 in C. Devenish, D. F. Díaz Fernández, R. P. Clay, I. Davidson & I. Yépez Zabala Eds. Important Bird Areas Americas - Priority sites for biodiversity conservation. Quito, Ecuador: BirdLife International (BirdLife Conservation Series No. 16). http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/userfiles/file/IBAs/AmCntryPDFs/Nicarag...
AWARDS
Spaulding-Smith Dissertation Fellowship (UMass) (2020-2021)
Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship (2019-2020)
Research Grant - UMass Graduate School Dissertation Fieldwork Grant (2017-18)
2017-18 Joseph L. Boscov Fellowship
Research Grant - American Ornithologists' Union (2016)
Research Grant - Wilson Ornithological Society (2016)