Adams Expands Research Flock with Latvian Fulbright Experience
Colton Adams, a 2023 graduate in honors ecology and evolutionary biology and psychology, continued his academic journey as one of UT’s 13 Fulbright Scholars for 2023–2024, contributing to the Big Orange reputation as a top producer of these accomplished students.
Adams traveled to the University of Latvia, in the city of Riga, to collaborate with the zoology and animal ecology group there, investigating questions about behavioral ecology and acoustic communication in mixed-species flocks of birds. He found himself immediately taken with the Eastern European landscape.
“Latvia was nothing short of amazing,” said Adams. “The city of Riga is definitely an underrated gem. It is so clean, calm, architecturally stunning, and green. Outside of Riga, Latvia is mostly forest, beach, and lakes, so it’s great for nature lovers like me.”
He was welcomed by his new colleagues and supported with opportunities to work on new research questions applied to new study systems.
“My work at UT focused on the behavioral ecology of mixed-species bird flocks and how social and physical environments influenced their foraging behaviors,” said Adams. “In Latvia, I got to work with fruit flies, bumblebees, meal worms, and a variety of other bird species investigating questions pertaining to microbiome, sexual selection, effects of stress, memory, vision, and much more.”
Adams has co-published on his UT research with Professor Todd Freeberg, associate head of the Department of Psychology and a joint faculty member in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology:
- “Influence of social and physical environmental variation on antipredator behavior in mixed-species parid flocks.”
- “Mixed-species flock sizes and compositions influence flock members’ success in three field experiments with novel feeders.”
His Fulbright research experience has also expanded his connections, putting him in touch with new colleagues across the globe.
“The research network that I’ve been exposed to since being over here is something I’ll carry into my career,” he said. “One of our submitted manuscripts has authors from Mexico, US, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Science is international, and I intend to keep branching out.”
Adams encourages future Vols interested in a Fulbright adventure to cultivate their best Rocky Top connections when deciding on where to travel for the experience.
“I never thought I’d be in Latvia, but my connection to here was a perfect set up,” he said. “UT is a massive R1 university, so odds are that in your four-plus years here you’ve built a connection with at least one professor who knows at least one other connection abroad.”
He recommends meeting with potential colleagues for their input. Building strong connections can, in turn, strengthen a Fulbright application.
“For example, my UT advisor and colleague in Latvia have published 20-plus papers together since 2010 and are also both Fulbrighters,” said Adams.
While his Fulbright term has ended, Adams is continuing his research at the University of Latvia through academic year 2024-2025 as he makes plans for a future PhD program focused on animal behavior and behavioral ecology—building, as always, on his growing professional network and his Volunteer Spirit.
By Randall Brown