Michelle Martin (Masters Student)

Michelle Martin is a Graduate Student at the University of Lethbridge. She works with avian species and investigates intraspecific variation of sensory brain region size and breeding behaviour activity patterns.

In the image on the right, Michelle is finishing up an extraction of a sharp-tailed grouse brain and is holding the bird's brain.

What is your research about?

My research focuses on understanding the biology of an avian species, the ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) by investigating intraspecific (within one species) variation of sensory brain region size and breeding behaviour activity patterns. Sensory brain regions are highly specialized across species and are used to perceive environmental stimuli. We don't know much about how these brain regions vary in size with total brain size or other factors, which is what I aim to determine. Male ruffed grouse produce a non-vocal display called a drum that serves as a way for males to defend their territory and let females know they are present in thick aspen forest. I study variation in drumming activity throughout the ruffed grouse breeding season.

What made you go into industry or academia? How did you get involved with your current research?

After earning my undergraduate degree which focused on neuroscience coursework and research, I changed course with my research interests, and began working as a seasonal wildlife biologist. After a few years of working in the field, I knew I needed to sharpen my skills by earning a graduate degree. With my combination of neuroscience and wildlife experience, Dr. Iwaniuk's lab which studies the comparative neuroanatomy of birds and mammal species was a good fit for me to combine the seemingly different disciplines I had experience working in.

What excites you about your work?

The differences between my research topics excites me! My work gives me the rare opportunity to address questions that need to be answered within two different fields. It really makes me feel like I'm contributing something to the scientific community.

What are the impacts of your work?

Sensory brain regions are useful to study when trying to link brain and behaviour, since they directly influence how animals perceive the world around them. If brain size does influence sensory brain region size, then extremely small sample sizes, which are common in the field, may be biased and lead to invalid conclusions when comparing sensory brain region size between multiple species. Ruffed grouse drumming has long been used as a method of censusing grouse populations due to the unique easily identifiable nature of the call. My findings about drumming activity patterns will be helpful in tailoring drumming surveys start and end times to reflect when the birds are actually drumming.

What is a fun fact about yourself?

I know how to throw a lasso from horseback!