Christopher Olson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Physiology
RESEARCH INTERESTS
1. Micronutrient roles in brain and vocal development
2. Vocal communication in hummingbirds
My lab is also exploring vocal learning in hummingbirds, a fascinating lineage of birds that are unrelated to the finch. This work includes vocal learning hummingbirds in North America, including Anna’s and Costa’s hummingbirds, as well as Black Jacobin, a Brazilian species with ultrasonic song. The Atlantic forest of Brazil is one of the World's biodiversity hotspots, especially rich in orchids, bromeliads, monkeys, frogs, and of course birds like the green-headed tanager or the white-bearded manakin. The animal species in this forest are constantly vocalizing, making for a very noisy environment.
2. Vocal communication in hummingbirds
My lab is also exploring vocal learning in hummingbirds, a fascinating lineage of birds that are unrelated to the finch. This work includes vocal learning hummingbirds in North America, including Anna’s and Costa’s hummingbirds, as well as Black Jacobin, a Brazilian species with ultrasonic song. The Atlantic forest of Brazil is one of the World's biodiversity hotspots, especially rich in orchids, bromeliads, monkeys, frogs, and of course birds like the green-headed tanager or the white-bearded manakin. The animal species in this forest are constantly vocalizing, making for a very noisy environment.
GRANTS
- EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH GRANT2025 Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Scholars ProgramBoehringer Ingelheim1 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2025People funded by this grant:
- Struthers J,
- Olson C
- MWU INTRAMURAL GRANTBehavioral, Diel and Age-related Patterns of Vitamin A Signaling with Vocal ProductionPeople funded by this grant:
- Olson C