2023 - Nader St-Amant
Undergraduate BSc student
Undergraduate BSc student, Nader St-Amant has been awarded the third Laura Thomas Summer Research Internship in Biology for studying hummingbirds behaviour in regards to competition, biomechanics, sociality, and evolution. Nader is supervised by Professor Roslyn Dakin in the Dynamic Behaviour Lab at Carleton.
Nader’s primary task during his internship was to prepare the Dynamic Behaviour Lab for the upcoming academic year. This involved designing and setting up a spacious flight chamber, measuring approximately 4.5 meters by 3 meters, to facilitate research on hummingbirds. The summer was marked by Nader’s relentless efforts to create an optimal research environment. With his background in technology and engineering, he was instrumental in assembling a sophisticated setup that included multiple lights, 3D tracking cameras, and a large aluminum frame. This high-tech infrastructure was essential for the lab’s research objectives.
In addition to the setup, Nader played a crucial role in developing improved traps to capture hummingbirds. Towards the end of the summer, these traps were successfully employed, allowing the team to catch real birds for their experiments. Carefully handling the delicate hummingbirds was no small feat, as their fragility meant the birds required specialized care to minimize stress and ensure their well-being. Professor Roslyn Dakin played a pivotal role in guiding Nader to safely interact with the hummingbirds.
The summer internship concluded with a remarkable moment when a hummingbird was released into the newly constructed flight chamber. This culmination of months of hard work was a rewarding experience for the entire team.