Mathumy Sivatheesan, BSc ’25 (Biology)
By Elizabeth Kleisath
Communications Officer, Advancement
It is easy to miss an Eastern Whip-poor-will, even if you are standing right next to it, as these birds camouflage themselves among dead leaves on the forest floor. Eastern Whip-poor-wills are listed as a species of special concern in Ontario, due to concerns about population decline and a lack of knowledge about the population.
Mathumy Sivatheesan, BSc ’25 (Biology), has been studying these elusive birds with Dr. Liam McGuire, a professor in Waterloo’s Department of Biology. This summer, following her graduation, she was hired by Birds Canada, the only national organization dedicated to bird conservation, to live and research Whip-poor-wills in Norfolk County.
“Being so close to the birds, it feels like I’m making a difference in their conservation and contributing to science,” says Mathumy. “There’s an equilibrium on Earth, and a decrease in the Whip-poor-wills means decreasing the biodiversity of the region. It’s a domino effect, and we don’t know what could happen to the ecosystem if they’re completely gone.”
Two Whip-poor-wills on the forest floor. Photo: Victoria Pepe.
Mathumy is helping research several aspects of Whip-poor-will biology by searching for nests and setting up nets to catch and tag the birds. Mathumy and her coworkers track their movements within their local home ranges, as well as document their long-distance migration patterns. They are also analyzing the bird’s diets through their excrement and assessing the food sources available near their nests. This information will fill important knowledge gaps and helps guide long-term conservation efforts for Whip-poor-wills and similar species.
“Working with both Dr. McGuire and Birds Canada allows me to see two different perspectives of the same goal, helping Canada better bird science and conservation,” says Mathumy. “Partnering with an NGO, compared to just researching at a university, helps me understand what my future job could look like, and helps me build connections with people outside of academia.”
Mathumy has made similar connections and sought out unique experiences throughout her undergraduate degree, led by the confidence that McGuire inspired in her. “Mathumy is someone who took full advantage of all the opportunities and experiences at Waterloo,” says McGuire. “It’s been wonderful to see her enthusiasm and excitement come together with on the ground research and conservation as she continues to develop and explore her ideas.”
Graduating with the Cobalt level IDEAL Scholar designation, many of her experiences were a direct result of her work in McGuire’s lab, including her 4th year research project (Discovery), to her work as a field technician on the Eastern Whip-poor-will project (Application), and volunteering alongside other members of the lab at the Ontario Ecology, Ethology and Evolution Colloquium (Engagement).
“The IDEAL program encouraged me to take leaps that I wouldn’t have before, and try new things. After learning about the program, I had already done three of the categories, so it was really easy for me to enter different communities that I hadn’t interacted with previously, like Velocity and leading a Science Meets ART workshop, to finish the other categories.”
Between her research to make a difference on our planet and conservation of Whip-poor-wills, and her involvement with every aspect of student life, it’s clear that Waterloo Science helped Mathumy find her passion for sustainability and conservation research.
For those inspired to contribute to the crucial work of sustainability and conservation research, or provide opportunities for Science’s exemplary students, we invite you to connect with Meaghan Middleton, Director of Science Advancement to learn how your generosity can make a meaningful impact. Philanthropic support is transformative in advancing scientific research and supporting students as they make the most of their university experience.
Photo credits for images of Mathumy: Victoria Pepe and Lauren Weeks