Ameya Kulkarni, a PhD student in the ecology, evolution, environment, and society program (EEES) used the award to record and analyze frog calls across natural and urban habitats on either side of the Goa Gap in the Western Ghats to determine how environmental and human-driven differences shape acoustic adaptations in the Malabar gliding frog.
What program are you in, and what drew you to this field of study?
I am in the ecology, evolution, environment, and society program (EEES). As a kid, I always loved visiting forests and observing animals in their natural habitats.
Ultimately, this is the field where I can work dedicatedly without getting bored for the rest of my life.
Where do you consider your hometown, and how has your background or early experiences influenced your path into your field of study?
My hometown is Mumbai, India. India has incredible animal diversity and various forest types, which I experienced in my childhood. I started visiting forests when I was 9 years old with an NGO called Nyass Trust, where they introduced me to the world of forests and wildlife. Their jungle reading camps gave me the larger picture of reading the forests, which led me to pursue animal behaviour as a field of study.
Where did you earn your undergraduate degree, and how did your academic journey lead you to Dartmouth?
I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Mumbai, India. I directly went to Savitribai Phule University, Pune, to pursue my Master’s in biodiversity monitoring and utilisation, where one of the professors told me about the EEES program. Then, I started talking to one of the professors, which led me to Dartmouth.
Which faculty members are you collaborating with on your research, and how have their mentorship or research perspectives shaped your approach?
I am working with Prof. Ryan Calsbeek from the department of biological sciences. Ryan’s previous work on reptiles and amphibians helped me design my research, and his approach on conducting research prepared me for the worst. For example, he always suggests, “go to the field and observe animals first, keep some room to improvise your data collection plan because it’s a natural environment, and anything can happen.”
He always tells me the famous quote of Mike Tyson, that “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth,” and it has become beneficial for me, particularly in the tropics, where the environment changes rapidly, and your plan can fail anytime.
The second thing that helped me is his philosophy about research: he believes you should enjoy your work, so he always asks me, “are you enjoying it?” and it boosts my confidence.
How will the Alumni Research Award help advance your current project, and what new possibilities will it create for your upcoming field and lab work?
The Alumni Research Award helped me conduct my fieldwork. It helped me collect preliminary data, which was very important for preparing my proposal and applying for other larger grants. It also helped me establish my project, so now I have a more concrete research plan to investigate my objectives.
Why did you choose Dartmouth to pursue your degree?
I liked the interdisciplinary nature of my program (EEES), which allows me to learn more about related topics. Many other institutes or departments focus on very niche subject areas, but unlike those, Dartmouth has a wide variety of people doing different work. I like such systems in which two people from other disciplines can work together and discuss their respective subjects. Such systems give you a broad perspective, which might be helpful for further career paths.
Which resources, career support programs, or professional development opportunities at Dartmouth have been most valuable to you, and how have they impacted your experience?
There are many, actually. To start with, I really got some serious help from Grant GPS, which helped me write, structure, and modify my grant proposals, and they were so helpful.
Second, I received a research and professional development fund, which allows me to purchase research equipment and my travel to the field site, which takes a lot of my burden off.
I also like the library structure. My librarian, Lilly, always helps me find the necessary resources for my research, such as papers, books, and courses like R and Python, which really helps me a lot.
Outside of your studies, what are some of your hobbies or creative interests?
I like to do wildlife photography. I have been doing it for 8 years now. Apart from that, I want to travel, just taking my car and driving through the countryside. It helps me to relax.
What is your favourite place or activity at Dartmouth or in the Upper Valley, and why?
My favorite place is the golf course; there are short two-mile trails that take you through the woods, and then you walk by the river. I really like that place.
