Alejandro Rico Guevara

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Still frame from a "high-speed camera trap" video Watch here

Ph.D. Candidate
University of Connecticut
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
75 N. Eagleville Road, U-3043
BioPharm 404 Rubega Lab
Storrs, CT 06269
(860) 486-0309
a.rico @ uconn.edu


Profile

My research field is Functional Morphology.

Currently, the focus of my research is the evolutionary ecology of tropical birds.

My investigation is aimed at solving questions pertaining to the link between feeding mechanisms and social systems of tropical nectarivores.

I am working on three research lines: sexually-dimorphic weapons, biophysical modeling of nectar intake, and evolutionary convergences on nectarivorous birds' feeding mechanisms including related morphological traits.

Webpage (in Spanish) Some pictures (Colecciones Científicas en línea ICN)


Publications

Rico-Guevara A. and M. A. Rubega. 2012. Hummingbird feeding mechanics: Comments on the capillarity model. PNAS 109: E867.

Rico-Guevara A. and M. Rubega. 2011. The hummingbird tongue is a fluid trap, not a capillary tube. PNAS 108: 9356–9360.

Rico-G. A. 2008. Morphology and arthropod foraging by high Andean Hummingbirds. Ornitología Colombiana 7: 43-58.

Rico-G. A. 2006. Influye más la cercanía de los cuerpos que dónde se esté parado: frutos, endocarpos y semillas de D. panamensis, p. 159-161. In: Ecología Tropical & Conservación. O.T.S., San José.

Rico-G. A. 2006. Transferencia diferencial de información en Ectatomma ruidum (Formicidae), p. 294-298. In: Ecología Tropical & Conservación. O.T.S., San José, Costa Rica.

Del Rosario, K., Rosas, K. y A. Rico-G. 2006. Respuesta de la araña Gasteracantha cancriformis (Araneidae) frente a distintos niveles de daño en su tela, p. 49-52. In: Ecología Tropical & Conservación. O.T.S., San José, Costa Rica.

Rico-G., A., Beltrán, J.P. A., Álvarez, A. D. & E. Florez D. 2005. Diversidad de arañas (Arachnida: Araneae) en el Parque Nacional Natural Isla Gorgona, Pacífico Colombiano. Biota Neotrop. 5 (1a)

Rico-G., A. & L. Benavides. 2005. Patrones en la Repartición de Recursos entre Comunidades de Colibríes y Plantas Ornitófilas para la Reserva Río Ñambí. Acta Biológica Colombiana, Vol. 10 Nº 2, p.153

Rico-G., A. 2005. Relaciones entre morfología y forrajeo de artrópodos en colibríes de Bosque Altoandino. Tesis de Grado. Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Bogotá.

Rico-G., A. 2004. Fichas de Colibríes. En: Gutiérrez-Z, A., Carrillo, E. & S. Rojas. Guía Ilustrada de los Colibríes de la Reserva Natural Río Ñambí. Bogotá; FPAA, FELCA, ECOTONO. Bogotá, Colombia.


Press

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Reuters

ABC TV

New York Times - Science

Uconn Today

Wired Science

NPR

Nature

Discover Magazine

Hummingbirds don't suck!

And more.. Google: hummingbird tongue


Education

Ph.D. 2008–Near future
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
Primary Advisor: Margaret Rubega
Research Project: Proximate and Ultimate Mechanisms of Nectarivory in Birds

B.S. 2000–2005
Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Primary Advisor: Gary Stiles
Research Project: Morphology and arthropod foraging by high Andean Hummingbirds


Scholarships and Awards

2012 Graduate Student Vertebrate Research Award, Connecticut Museum of Natural History and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of Connecticut.

2012 Sigma Xi, Grants-in-Aid of Research.

2011 Graduate Student Vertebrate Research Award, Connecticut Museum of Natural History and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of Connecticut.

2011 Travel Award, IX Neotropical Ornithology Congress, Cusco, Perú. Sponsored by the Neotropical Ornithological Society.

2010 Colciencias Graduate Program Grant.

2010 Graduate Student Vertebrate Research Award, Connecticut Museum of Natural History and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of Connecticut.

2010 AOU Research Award, The American Ornithologists’ Union.

2010 Colfuturo Graduate Program Grant.

2010 Graduate Student Multidisciplinary Environmental Research Award, Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of Connecticut.

2010 Travel Award, XXV International Ornithological Congress, Campos do Jordão, Brasil. Sponsored by National Science Foundation, AOU, and Cooper Ornithological Society.

2009 Best Grad Student Presentation Award, Wilson Ornithological Society and Association of Field Ornithologists Joint Scientific Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA.

2009 Student Travel Award, WOS/AFO 2009 Annual Meeting. Sponsored by The Wilson Ornithological Society and Association of Field Ornithologists.

2009 Graduate Research Assistantship to support faculty members in pursuit of Multidisciplinary Environmental Activities, Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering.

2009 Scholarship to attend the Graduated course: Complex Physical, Biological, and Social Systems, Sponsored by the New England Complex Systems Institute.

2008 Graduate Assistantship, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, UConn.

2007 Fulbright Graduate Program Grant.

2007 Best Oral Presentation Award, 2nd Ornithological Colombian Congress. Bogotá, Colombia.

2006 Scholarship International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and United Nations University – Biotechnology for Latin America and the Caribbean.

2006 Travelship Award, 4th North American Ornithological Conference, Veracruz, México. Sponsored by American Ornithologists’ Union, Cooper Ornithological Society and Wilson Ornithological Society.

2006 Post-course research grant at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica.

2006 Partial Scholarship to attend the Graduated course: Tropical Ecology and Conservation, OTS 2006-2. Sponsored by Organization for Tropical Studies, Duke University. Costa Rica University.

2005 Scholarship to attend the 1ª Reunión Ecuatoriana de Ornitología, Quito, Ecuador. Sponsored by Universidad de Nacional de Colombia, Sede Bogotá.

2004 Scholarship to attend the Curso Teórico-Práctico de Ecología Tropical. Field work: Río Ñambí Natural Reserve (Nariño). Sponsored by Fundación Ecológica los Colibríes de Altaquer (FELCA) y Fondo para la Acción Ambiental Colombia (FPAA).

2003 Scholarship to attend the IV Encontro De Aracnólogos Do Cone Sul, São Pedro, Brasil. Sponsored by Universidade de São Paulo (USP).

2003 Best poster presentation award, XVI Ornithological Colombian Meeting. Jardín, Antioquia.

2003 Scholarship to attend the XVI Encuentro Nacional de Ornitología, Jardín, Antioquia. Sponsored by ProAves Colombia, International Conservation and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

2002 Scholarship to attend the 10ª RT y 4° Congreso Solamac, Valdivia, Chile. Sponsored by Instituto de Ecologia y Evolución, Universidad Austral de Chile.

2002 Scholarship to attend the II Congreso Internacional V Colombiano de Genética, Bogotá. Sponsored by Comité Organizador.

2002 Scholarship, Curso de Genética de Mamíferos Acuáticos. Sponsored by Fundación Omacha.

2001 Scholarship, Curso de Biología y Evolución de Mamíferos Acuáticos. Sponsored by Omacha.

1999 Best ICFES score (government standardized test) award. Instituto Pedagógico Nacional.


Teaching Experience

2010-2013 Field Ornithology: Instructor: EEB 3898: Field Methods in Ornithology (Intensive Summer Session, 3 Credits).

2009 Biological Collections Facility, University of Connecticut: Instructor: Scientific Taxidermy Course (Spring Semester, 2 Credits).

2008 Asociación Bogotana de Ornitología, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia: Instructor: Bird identification and monitoring techniques.

2005 - 2008 Colegio San Carlos, Bogotá: Biology and Chemistry Teacher.

2004 Universidad Nacional de Colombia: Substitute Teacher, Animal Systematic Course. Field work: Ciénaga Gamboa, San Marcos, Sucre.

2004 Universidad Nacional de Colombia: Student Monitor, Ornithology Major Course. Field work: Cachalú Natural Reserve, Encino (Santander).

2004 Universidad Nacional de Colombia: Student Monitor, Regional Ecology Course. Field work: Puerto López (Meta).

2004 Universidad Nacional de Colombia: Student Monitor, Animal Systematic Course. Field work: Acacías (Meta).

2003 Universidad Nacional de Colombia: Student Monitor, Arachnology Major Course. Field work: Vereda de Apiay (Meta).

2003 Universidad Nacional de Colombia: Student Monitor, Animal Systematic Course. Field work: Isla Ronda (Amazonas).

2003 Universidad Nacional de Colombia: Student Monitor, Animal Systematic Course. Field work: Leticia (Amazonas).


Work Experience

2008 - 2010 UConn Bird Research Collection: Preparator

2008 Asociación Colombiana de Ornitología: Member of the directors’ board (treasurer).

2005 - 2007 ECOTONO: Associate Researcher.

2004 Instituto de Ciencias Naturales: Researcher, Project: “Taxonomic characterization of animal and plants key groups in the oriental mountains of Colombia” Tona, Santander.

2004 - 2005 ECOTONO Corporation for study and conservation of wildlife: Education Director.

2003 SUNAHISCA Foundation: Associate Researcher. Project: “Caracterización preliminar de la avifauna del Parque Entrenubes y pautas para su conservación”.

2002-2004 ECOTONO Corporation for study and conservation of wildlife: Associate Researcher.


Presentations

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2013 Speaker Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, USA.

2011 Invited Speaker IX Neotropical Ornithology Congress, Cusco, Perú.

2010 Speaker XXV International Ornithological Congress, Campos do Jordão, Brasil.

2009 Speaker Division of Vertebrate Morphology Northeast Regional Meeting, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.

2009 Speaker WOS/AFO 2009 Joint Scientific Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.

2009 Speaker Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology Annual Meeting, Boston, MA, USA.

2008 Speaker Division of Vertebrate Morphology Northeast Regional Meeting, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, UConn, Storrs, CT, USA.

2007 Speaker I Congreso Nacional y V Encuentro de Estudiantes de Biología, Bogotá, Colombia.

2007 Speaker II Congreso de Ornitología Colombiana, Bogotá, Colombia.

2007 Speaker VIII Neotropical Ornithological Congress, Maturín, Venezuela.

2007 Speaker 3rd Biennal Conference of International Biogeography Society, Tenerife, España.

2006 Speaker XIX Encuentro Nacional de Ornitología, Villavicencio, Colombia.

2006 Speaker 4th North American Ornithological Conference, Veracruz, México.

2005 Poster XVIII Encuentro Nacional de Ornitología, La Cocha, Nariño.

2005 Speaker 1ª Reunión Ecuatoriana de Ornitología, Quito, Ecuador.

2004 Poster I Congreso y XVII Encuentro Nacional de Ornitología, Santa Marta.

2003 Speaker IV Encontro De Aracnólogos Do Cone Sul, São Pedro, Brasil.

2003 Poster XVI Encuentro Nacional de Ornitología, Jardín, Antioquia.

2003 Speaker III Encuentro Científico de Estudiantes de Biología, Bogotá.

2003 Speaker II Jornadas Universitarias de Genética, Bogotá

2002 Poster 10ª RT y 4° Congreso Solamac, Valdivia, Chile.

2002 Organization Committee II Congreso Internacional V Colombiano de Genética, Bogotá.



Profesional Services and Affiliations

2011-2013 Reviewer of grant proposals: Fulbright Colombia

2007-2013 Reviewer of manuscripts for: Evolution, Journal of Experimental Zoology (JEZ), Acta Zoologica, Ardeola, Ornitología Colombiana, and International Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation

2009-2011 Director (Undergraduate thesis) Universidad de los Andes: “Intraspecific variation and the Origin and Maintenance of the Disjunct Distribution in the Blossomcrown Anthocephala floriceps (Aves: Trochilidae)” María Lozano Jaramillo.

2007 - 2009 Co-Director (Undergraduate thesis) Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia: “Ecology of the Bearded Helmetcrest (Oxpogon guerinii, Trochilidae) in the Páramo de Siscunsí, Boyacá, Colombia” Ricardo Salamanca Reyes.

2007 - 2008 Asociación Colombiana de Ornitología: Member of the directors’ board (treasurer).


2012 -2013 Sigma Xi (Yale Chapter)

2010-2012 Cooper Ornithological Society (COS)

2009-2010 American Ornithologists' Union (AOU)

2008-2010 Wilson Ornithological Society (WOS)

2008-2013 Society of Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB)

2007-2010 Grupo de Investigación en Ornitología (GrupLAC)

2006-2010 Association of Field Ornithologists (AFO)

2006-2007 International Biogeography Society (IBS)

2005-2013 Red Colombiana de Biología Evolutiva (COLEVOL)

2002-2013 Asociación Colombiana de Ornitología (ACO). Founding member


Rubega Lab Review Article Portal

Courses

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2011 Graduate Course: Basics of CT data acquisition, visualization, and analysis. The University of Texas High-Resolution X-ray CT Facility (UTCT; Austin, TX)

2009 Graduated Course: Ecology and Conservation of Neotropical Birds (2 credits) (Organization for Tropical Studies, Costa Rica)

2009 Graduated Course: Complex Physical, Biological, and Social Systems (1 credit) (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, NECSI)

2008 Summer English Course (Syracuse University, English Language Institute)

2007 Workshop: Molecular Techniques Applied in Ornithology (Grupo de Investigación en Biología Molecular Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas)

2006 Evolutionary Genomics in Modern Integrative Biology, Theoretical Course. (International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), United Nations University – Biotechnology for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNU-BIOLAC))

2006 Graduated course: Tropical Ecology and Conservation (7 credits) (Organization for Tropical Studies, Duke University, Universidad de Costa Rica)

2005 Graduated course: Data Processing, Theory and Practice (3 credits) (Maestría en Estudios Amazónicos, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Sede Amazonia)

2005 Professional Redaction Course (RyM Capacitación)

2005 Graduated Course: The Theory of Evolution (Universidad Nacional de Colombia)

2005 Divemaster Course (AquaSub Dive Travel)

2004 Scientific Writing Course (Asociación Colombiana de Ornitología)

2004 Tropical Ecology Theoretical-Practical Course. Field work: Natural Reserve Río Ñambí (Nariño) (Corporación Ecotono para el Estudio y Conservación de la Vida Silvestre)

2003 Rescue Diver Course (AquaSub Dive Travel)

2002 Aquatic Mammals’s Genetics Course (Omacha)

2002 Workshop: Mist nets, collecting and conserving birds. Field work: Guaduas, Cundinamarca (Corporación Ecotono)

2001-2002 First Aid and Life saving Course # 135 (Cruz Roja Colombiana)

2001 Aquatic Mammals’s Biology and Evolution Course (Omacha)

2000 Aquatic Mammals’s Research Techniques (Fundación Omacha)


Citizen Science

We are using iNaturalist to seek photographs of wild hummingbirds feeding on flowers. The flowers can be native or cultivated - this information will be valuable either way. If possible, include an identification of the flower in the comments section.

Studies suggest that the local abundance and diversity of hummingbirds are dependent on seasonal food plant abundance. We would like to test this hypothesis by collecting data on which flowers hummingbirds are feeding on in the wild. By gathering data on the preferred plants of various hummingbird species, in addition to the timing of flower production in different areas, we can assess how plant abundance is affecting hummingbird populations.


Project on iNaturalist Help us here!



Still from the film "Hummingbirds: Jewelled Messengers" © Terra Mater Factual Studios

Scientific advisor on the documentary HUMMINGBIRDS: JEWELLED MESSENGERS Trailer here Narrated by David Attenborough Specific scenes I helped to film here