Work at STRI

J: So the reason we're back in Panama is - well first, we've always thought it would be nice to spend some more time here if we had the chance. We were in Seattle for 9 years and ready for a little adventure. So I applied for a National Science Foundation postdoc to do research here, and they gave me enough money for at least a year.

My host instution is the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. STRI (rhymes with 'high') scientists have been working in Panama and other tropical countries for over 80 years, with offices in Panama City and labs and field stations up and down the Canal.

Tupper Administration Building, Ancon, Panama (Marcos Guerra)

Just so you know I'm not making this all up - their newsletter of a couple weeks ago noted my arrival :) In a little more detail, I'm going to study how certain species of tropical forest songbirds use the non-forested habitats (for example tree plantations, human settlements, pasture) that are located adjacent to forested areas. I'm trying to select my specific study sites this week and next, and should have some pictures of the birds soon.

We live in a STRI apartment in Gamboa, a town that is just about as far up the canal as you can drive on public roads. My field work will be between Gamboa and Panama City. We can stay in this place only until the end of May, so we're looking for another house or apartment (with an extra bedroom for visitors), in Gamboa or possibly closer to Panama City.

Opening blog

J:Welcome to our Panama blog - a way for us to update family and friends with our goings-on. And yes, of course we will post pictures of Connor. Here's one of our first days in Panama, relaxing poolside at the Gamboa rainforest resort where my dad and brother Cameron were staying.






So far we're all doing ok with the heat. Our apartment is fairly nice and we're getting things moved in. We did take time for a gondola ride through the rainforest canopy, and the guides found Connor more interesting than the native fauna!