I’m Kadambari Devarajan!

I am an engineer-turned-ecologist studying how mammals around the world use space and time, and how factors such as climate influence species distributions. I also work on identifying and developing methods to monitor mammals for conservation at different spatial scales. I am currently a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Rhode Island where I lead the Global Animal Diel Activity Project. I did my PhD in organismic and evolutionary biology at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. 

As an ecologist, I am also hyper-aware of climate impacts on landscapes and wildlife across of the globe, but particularly the polar regions. This provides impetus for my research on monitoring mammals at multiple scales and different regions

While my fieldwork is primarily in India, Zambia, and the US, some of my research involves analyzing data from different parts of the world, including polar regions. For instance, as part of my current research I'm working on a global dataset with camera trap data shared by multiple collaborators from several countries including polar regions like Russia, USA, and Canada. 

The first time I made a personal connection with polar exploration was when traveling through Argentina and stumbling into Ushuaia, one of the gateways to Antarctica. I fell in love with the stark landscapes and especially the wildlife that had made the region home. I was so excited to see birds and marine mammals that called Antarctica home, with my first cold water dive ever (off the coast of Patagonia) cementing this fascination for the biological treasures that might be lurking even further south.

This connection with Antarctica was amplified when exploring the southern parts of New Zealand, with the diversity of penguins and other wonderful bird life of the southern polar region. As an ecologist, I am also hyper-aware of climate impacts on landscapes and wildlife across of the globe, but particularly the polar regions. This provides impetus for my research on monitoring mammals at multiple scales and different regions, and am excited working with camera trap data from polar regions like Russia and Canada to add to the ecological knowledge repositories of these understudied parts of the world.

I am inspired by the sheer diversity of organisms on Earth. I am motivated by the urgency of trying conserve species and landscapes under threats from so many different directions, so that biodiversity is maintained, species aren't wiped out forever.

I also think the human dimensions of conservation need to be considered more proactively, with an emphasis on community-based conservation.

I live to eat, travel, and read, not necessarily in that order. I'm a compulsive reader, unpredictable writer, data geek, insatiable traveler, adventure junkie, highly-excitable photographer, ardent naturalist, borderline twitcher, enthusiastic free and open source software evangelist and user, and food fanatic.

I can usually be found checking out restaurants and hole-in-the-wall food joints in whichever part of the world I am currently at. Or foraging in my little balcony garden and local farmers' markets for fresh produce that inspires me to travel to far away places right from my kitchen. If not doing either of these, I can be found exploring the outdoors by foot or curled up with a book that has me vicariously traveling to distant lands.

I hope to continue working on conserving landscapes and wildlife. That said, I would love to collect my own data from the poles, especially Antarctica, whenever that happens! :-).

Inspiration comes from many quarters. I have been lucky to have mentors (including peer mentors) who have taken me under their wings and guided me through rough seas, pulled me up and offered support when I was floundering, and pushed me to climb higher mountains. Many of these mentors have inspired me in a plethora of ways - with their work ethic, compassion, empathy, kindness, passion, activism, courage, strength. As someone who shifted careers (while dealing with chronic health issues including cancer), my advice to someone who wants to take the same career path as me includes: persistence pays (usually), reach out and find mentors, never hesitate to ask (for help, access to resources, opportunities), and don't fear rejection or failure.

To keep up with Kadambari, follow her on Twitter (@kadambarid) or visit her personal website!