Mark E Deutschlander

Mark E. Deutschlander is a Professor of Biology at Hobart and William Smith Colleges (HWS), where he has been a faculty member since 2002. He earned his Ph.D. from Indiana University in 1998 and a B.S. summa cum laude from SUNY Geneseo in 1992. He is affiliated with the Department of Biology within the School of Arts and Sciences and conducts significant research at the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory (BBBO), where he also serves in leadership and advisory roles.

• Ph.D., Indiana University, 1998
• B.S., SUNY Geneseo, 1992 (summa cum laude)

His research focuses on animal orientation and navigation, particularly in migratory birds, with expertise in magnetic and celestial cues, ecophysiology of migration, and ultraviolet/polarized light photoreception. His work bridges sensory biology and migratory ecology, emphasizing how energetic condition influences orientation decisions. His publications span ornithology, sensory ecology, and insect agroecology, with recent papers exploring magnetic navigation, fuel reserves, and tracking methodologies. A recurring theme in his research is the integration of sensory cues for spatial orientation in birds.

Scientific Awards and Professional Roles:

• Certified Bird Banding Trainer, North American Bird Banding Council
• President, Wilson Ornithological Society
• Associate Editor, The Auk: Ornithological Advances
• Board Member and Scientific Advisor, Braddock Bay Bird Observatory (and former President and Vice President)

He has mentored students and collaborated on research involving bat vision and agricultural entomology. He has also contributed to methodological advancements, such as the development of BirdOriTrack for video tracking in orientation studies. His work is supported by extensive field data from BBBO and public databases like the USGS Bird Banding Laboratory.

He teaches courses including Neurobiology, General Physiology, and seminars on animal minds and migration. His lab at BBBO supports experimental work on bird orientation, and he continues to expand research into the physiological challenges of migration in songbirds.