Nicholas Russo is an undergraduate student at the University of Connecticut pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. His main research area involves bird migration in order to establish a broader view of the influence of invasive species on habitats and on plant dispersal.

Nicholas worked with mentors Dr. Bernard Goffinet and Dr. Jaime Jiménez in the U.S. and with Dr. Jiménez and Dr. Roy McKenzie at the Omora Ethnobotanical Park on Navarino Island near Puerto Williams, Chile.

Nicholas says about his experience, "My IRES experience afforded an opportunity to learn about the natural and social history of the Cape Horn region while pursuing a new research project. It broadened my perspective not only on the ecology of the world's biota, but on being a global citizen. My cohort and I had the support of several professional scientists whose emphasis on independence furthered our growth as researchers."

Nicholas plans to present his research at a conference this summer.

The International Ornithological Congress will be held in Vancouver, BC, Canada. At this congress, Nicholas will present a paper titled, "Bryophyte Diaspores Recovered from the Feces of Montane Sub-Antarctic Birds," co-authored by Michael Robertson, Roy MacKenzie, Patricio Arce, Bernard Goffinet, and Jaime Jiménez.