Jay Storz, a professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, is diving into groundbreaking research thanks to a Fulbright Scholar Award. This January, he will head to the high Andes in Argentina to explore how animals survive in extreme conditions.
Storz will be working with the Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de Zonas Áridas, an institute that focuses on desert ecology. His main focus will be the Andean leaf-eared mouse, known as the highest-dwelling mammal in the world. He has found populations living over 6,000 meters, where oxygen levels are less than half of what’s found at sea level.
During his stay, Storz plans to combine fieldwork with lab experiments. Researchers will collect mice at different elevations and measure how their bodies adapt to the lower oxygen levels, simulating the conditions from sea level to 7,000 meters. “We’re trying to understand how animals cope with oxygen deprivation at these extreme heights,” he explained.
This research builds on previous studies funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Storz aims to understand the balance of genetic adaptation and physiological changes that help animals thrive in harsh environments.
Beyond research, Storz is also set to teach a seminar in evolutionary physiology at the university in Argentina. This experience will strengthen his international network of collaborators. Storz has partnered with scientists in South America for years, and he sees this opportunity as a way to establish more long-term exchanges between institutions.
Interestingly, his previous Fulbright in Argentina in 2019 laid the groundwork for these current collaborations, highlighting how international partnerships can enhance scientific progress. As Storz puts it, “We’re able to bring together different areas of expertise to uncover the mechanisms behind adaptation.”
This Fulbright project is timely, especially as research into how species adapt to environmental stress is expanding. As noted in a recent study by the World Wildlife Fund, climate change is pushing many species to their limits, making this research even more critical. Understanding how animals like the Andean mouse adapt could offer insights into broader ecological patterns.
Storz’s work not only aims to answer scientific questions but also reflects the Fulbright program’s broader mission. It’s about fostering long-lasting international relationships and cultural exchanges, creating a platform for continued collaboration beyond the grant.
“I’m thrilled about this chance to collaborate and share knowledge,” he said. “It’s a step toward building something lasting that can benefit future research.”
