Bats have diversified to specialize on a remarkable variety of diets. Among these, sugar-rich fruit and nectar diets come with unique challenges, particularly to the maintenance of blood sugar levels and energy homeostasis, with high-sugar intake leading to disease in most mammals. Importantly, frugivory and nectarivory have independently evolved at least two, and 7 times, respectively, among bats, implying independent suites of adaptations to these dietary-related challenges.

From our oceans to savannas, animals must cope with dynamic environments that are undergoing unprecedented rates of change. How do animals make decisions in the face of such environmental changes, and what are the consequences of those decisions for individuals, populations, ecological communities, and—importantly—interactions with people? Examining these linkages is important for gaining mechanistic insight into how and why animal communities will be affected by global change, and for targeting effective conservation strategies.

Increasing opportunities for undergraduate students to practice research, particularly underrepresented student populations in STEM, improves the recruitment and retention of these students because they are exposed to an authentic research environment in their required courses and learn valuable skills necessary for success in their discipline. Community colleges are an excellent venue for providing more inclusive access to research experiences because underrepresented minorities (URMs) account for almost half of all undergraduates attending community colleges.