Maria Stager

Maria Stager is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research focuses on understanding how animals adapt physiologically to environmental challenges, particularly in avian species. She investigates themes like metabolic flexibility, thermoregulation, and migration strategies in response to climate change and ecological pressures.

Her work combines field studies and laboratory experiments to explore topics such as avian responses to thermal limits, the role of gut microbiomes in host adaptation, and the molecular mechanisms underlying physiological plasticity. Recent studies highlight her interest in how birds modify their metabolic and thermogenic capacities during cold acclimation and migration.

Key research areas include the impact of parasitic infections on avian performance, the evolutionary implications of phenotypic flexibility, and the interplay between developmental plasticity and environmental variability. Her findings contribute to broader understanding of species' adaptability in changing climates.

Maria’s articles often address interdisciplinary themes, linking physiological mechanisms to ecological and evolutionary outcomes. She collaborates widely to explore topics like migratory behavior, metabolic trade-offs, and the physiological costs of maintaining flexible traits. While no specific awards are listed, her contributions reflect impactful work in organismal and evolutionary biology.