معرفی
Nandadevi Cortes is an Associate Professor of Biology at Ithaca College specializing in evolutionary biology and phylogeography of neotropical birds. Her research examines how geographic barriers shape avian evolution and conservation, with active projects on hummingbirds, orioles, and island-endemic species. She teaches core courses including Evolutionary Biology and Field Ornithology while advising the Tri-Beta National Honor Society.
Dr. Cortes earned her undergraduate and master's degrees from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico under Dr. Blanca Hernandez-Baños and Dr. Adolfo Navarro-Sigüenza. She completed her PhD at University of Maryland, Baltimore County with Dr. Kevin Omland, followed by postdoctoral training at UMBC with Dr. Renetta Tull, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute with Dr. Robert Fleischer, and Ithaca College with Dr. Susan Witherup.
Her research integrates molecular ecology, field studies, and genomics to investigate population structure in birds affected by habitat fragmentation. Current lab work includes Ravens and Orioles population genetics using mitochondrial DNA, neotropical bird song variation analysis, Ithaca College Nature Lands bird population monitoring, and Channel Islands genomic studies. She emphasizes conservation applications for threatened island species.
Dr. Cortes' publications reveal consistent focus on avian phylogeography and speciation mechanisms, with recent expansion into diversity initiatives in ornithology. Her work spans from detailed genetic analyses of hummingbird complexes to broader discussions on inclusive practices in science, including eponymous bird name reform and international engagement for underrepresented students.
Scientific recognition includes:
- Edwards Prize 2017 for best paper in Wilson Journal of Ornithology
She actively mentors undergraduates through research projects presented at H&S Summer Scholars Showcase and National Conference on Undergraduate Research. Her leadership extends to diversity initiatives including co-organizing the American Ornithological Society symposium "Birds of a Different Feather" and moderating PROMISE Summer Success Institute sessions on graduate student retention. She serves on the AOS Diversity Committee to promote inclusive practices in ornithology.
Her lab maintains active collaborations with Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Colorado State University, and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. Current fieldwork combines trail camera monitoring in Nature Lands with genomic analyses of Channel Islands populations, while future directions include expanding diversity-focused research in ornithology and developing community-based conservation partnerships in neotropical regions.
