Alexander R. Gerson
Assistant Professor
Biology
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
United States of America
Biography
My interests lie in the field of integrative eco-physiology and my research has focused primarily on the environmental physiology of birds. I seek to understand how birds are able to overcome extreme environmental challenges, such as those encountered during long distance migration or while living in the hottest deserts on Earth. Through investigation at multiple levels of organization, from the cellular level to the community level, my research program aims to better understand the mechanic basis, flexibility and limitations of the physiological response of animals to extreme environmental conditions.
Research Interest
My interests lie in the field of integrative eco-physiology and my research has focused primarily on the environmental physiology of birds. I seek to understand how birds are able to overcome extreme environmental challenges, such as those encountered during long distance migration or while living in the hottest deserts on Earth. Through investigation at multiple levels of organization, from the cellular level to the community level, my research program aims to better understand the mechanic basis, flexibility and limitations of the physiological response of animals to extreme environmental conditions.
Publications
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Gerson, A.R., Guglielmo, C.G. 2011. House sparrows (Passer domesticus) increase protein catabolism in response to water restriction. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 300: pp. R925-R930.
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Gerson, A.R., Guglielmo, C.G. 2011. Flight at low ambient humidity increases protein catabolism in migratory birds. Science, 333: pp. 1434-1436.
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Gerson, A.R. and Guglielmo, C.G. 2013. Measurement of glomerular filtration rate during flight in a migratory bird using a single bolus injection of FITC-inulin. American Journal of Physiology – Renal Physiology, 305: pp F823-F829.
