Dr. Patty Brennan's fascinating journey began in her native Colombia, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Marine Biology. Her Honors Thesis focused on the heart function of dolphins, a topic that would later take a backseat to her passion for birds. After graduating, Dr. Brennan joined the R/V Odyssey, a 98-foot ketch, for an over-year-long research expedition on marine mammal populations around the Galapagos Islands and Coco's Island.
However, her academic pursuits soon took her to the United States, where she was accepted into the Neurobiology and Behavior program at Cornell University. Despite her initial focus on marine mammals, Dr. Brennan shifted her attention to birds, particularly the elusive Great Tinamous (Tinamus major). Her PhD research revealed numerous unique aspects of their reproductive biology, sparking a profound interest in sexual selection and mating system evolution.
This curiosity led Dr. Brennan to witness tinamou mating in the field, a memorable experience that left her eager to learn more. Her subsequent post-doctoral project delved into the fascinating world of bird genitalia, an area she was previously unaware of. This research expanded to include the study of snakes, bats, dolphins, sharks, and skates, as she collaborated with experts like Dr. Rachel Keeffe, Dr. Teri Orr, and Dr. Dara Orbach.
