KUNAL JAGETIYA
Project student
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RESEARCH INTERESTS:
I began my academic journey in Molecular and Cell Biology, where I was trained to explore life at its most fundamental levels—genes, proteins, and cellular processes. My early work focused on understanding how biological systems function at the molecular scale, and this foundation shaped how I think about science: asking precise questions and looking for patterns amid complexity. Over time, my curiosity moved beyond the lab and into the field. I started watching and listening to birds out of personal interest, but it gradually became something much deeper. The diversity of bird calls, behaviours, and habitats drew me in, and I became increasingly interested in understanding them scientifically. Currently, I am studying birds, combining careful field observation with ecological and bioacoustic approaches. My work reflects an ongoing journey from molecules to ecosystems (changing the scale), driven by a desire to understand biodiversity in an integrative and meaningful way. My work is mostly focused on employing Automated Recording Units (ARUs) to study activity and vocal patterns in birds. By deploying ARUs in the field, I am able to continuously monitor bird communities across different habitats and time periods, capturing patterns that are often missed during short-term surveys. I use these recordings to examine temporal activity patterns, vocal behaviour, and species presence, combining ecological field methods with bioacoustic analysis. This approach allows me to study birds at scale while minimising disturbance, and to better understand how they respond to environmental and landscape-level changes. PERSONAL AND OTHER INTERESTS:
I love cycling, running, and exploring new places. Being outdoors gives me energy and perspective, whether it’s a long ride through unfamiliar roads or a quiet trail run at sunrise. I am always open to trying new things and taking on challenges that push me beyond my comfort zone. I often binge-watch series, and am a big science-fiction nerd. I really enjoy talking with people and knowing about their work, and getting inspired. In addition, I am also an amateur photographer. I’ve recently started a new Instagram account “stories_through_kjlens” where I share glimpses of my journey—birds, fieldwork, and everyday explorations. It’s a space to document what I observe, learn, and share my experience along the way. 
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