Fieldwork

Fieldwork is essential for understanding metabolic resilience, as it reveals how organisms experience diet and environmental variation in the contexts that shape physiology, health, and adaptation.

Natural variation in diet, activity, and environment creates metabolic challenges that cannot be fully reproduced in laboratory settings. By integrating field-based observations with experimental approaches, we place cellular and tissue-level mechanisms within the biological contexts in which they evolved. Our lab approaches fieldwork with an awareness of the historical and social dimensions of biological research in biodiverse regions. We prioritize collaborative research practices that involve local scientists and institutions from the outset, including shared development of research questions, training, and open exchange of expertise. These collaborations ensure that research outcomes align with local scientific interests and contribute to sustained research capacity. Through this partnership-based approach, fieldwork becomes a foundation for rigorous and responsible science. It strengthens experimental interpretation, fosters long-term collaborations, and supports a more inclusive and globally connected scientific community.