ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Gleb Utvenko is an author on ‘ Magnetic orientation of marsh warblers (Acrocephalus palustris) and spotted flycatchers (Muscicapa striata) is maintained after simulated crossing of the magnetic equator’, published in JEB. Gleb is a PhD student and senior lab assistant in the lab of Nikita Chernetsov at Biological Station Rybachy, Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia, investigating how different animal species utilize diverse cues for orientation (compass systems) and navigation (maps) during migration.

Gleb Utvenko

How did you become interested in biology?

My interest in biology began in the sixth grade. I was fascinated by everything related to the subject: from collecting and growing plants to observing animals and conducting experiments. I also enjoyed reading popular science literature and watching nature documentaries, particularly those about scientific expeditions, which further fueled my curiosity and inspired me to explore the natural world in greater depth.

My passion for learning about science and nature was influenced by one person – my school biology teacher. She had the ability to present science as a living and dynamic phenomenon, always emphasizing that biology evolves and changes everyday thanks to the efforts of scientists. This inspired me and ignited a spark of curiosity. However, I soon realized that the material in the school textbook was only a small part of what happens in nature. Living organisms often surprise us, challenging even the most established laws and finding unconventional solutions to various problems. This thought became the foundation of my desire to become a biologist.

During my undergraduate studies, I attended lectures on zoology and animal biodiversity, and I also participated in an ornithological club, where my interest in birds began. I was especially drawn to their migration process. At that time, I knew little about it, but based on facts about the winter migration of certain species, I realized that birds could travel vast distances, crossing continents and oceans. This thought filled me with both awe and admiration. I understood that there were many unexplored mysteries hidden within migration that I wanted to research.

Describe your scientific journey and your current research focus

My scientific journey began in my second year at Moscow Pedagogical State University (MPSU). One day, Anna Zolotareva, a graduate of the Department of Zoology and Ecology at MPSU, then a PhD student at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ZIN RAS) and now a Doctor of Science, visited our ornithology club. She gave a lecture on bird navigation and orientation. The topic was so fascinating that I stayed afterward to ask questions, a decision that proved to be fateful. Anna mentioned a project she was planning at the Biological Station Rybachy on the Curonian Spit under Dr Nikita Chernetsov's guidance, focusing on the star compass in birds. She was looking for assistants for the project, and I realized this was my chance to visit a real field station and learn how high-level scientific studies are conducted.

This opportunity marked the beginning of two and a half years working on that project. It was a challenging yet incredibly rewarding experience. The results of our research were published in Journal of Experimental Biology in an article titled ‘Ontogeny of the star compass in birds: pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) can establish the star compass in spring’.

That first project ignited a true passion for scientific research in me. Afterward, I joined a Master's program at Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) in the Department of Vertebrate Zoology. There, I continued collaborating with Dr N. Chernetsov and joined the MagBBB (Magnetoreception in Birds, Bats and Butterflies) research group led by Dr Alexander Pakhomov.

Initially, I studied light-dependent magnetic orientation in migratory birds. However, for my Master's thesis, I ventured into a new topic: magnetic orientation in bats. This was a true scientific adventure: exploring a new species, working with a new model organism and employing unfamiliar methods.

I'm currently a PhD student at ZIN RAS, working under Dr N. Chernetsov. My research focuses on the innate components of the magnetic map in passerine birds and how they navigate during their first migration.

How would you explain the main findings of your paper to a member of the public?

During journeys, in finding their way to their goal, humans orient with the help of a magnetic compass, the arrow of which points to the geographical north. Birds also use a compass, but it works a little differently. Instead of pointing directly to the North or South Poles, birds’ compasses use the angle of the Earth's magnetic field to figure out where to go. Simply put, birds can only sense direction ‘towards the magnetic equator’ or ‘towards the magnetic poles’. So, when a bird crosses the equator into the Southern Hemisphere, it must change its direction from ‘towards the equator’ to ‘towards the pole’. However, at the equator, the magnetic field lines are parallel to the Earth's surface (the so-called horizontal magnetic field). This area, about 440–660 km long, becomes a ‘blind spot’, where birds struggle to find their way. The question then arises: how do birds manage to navigate through this difficult region? Over 30 years ago, scientists Wolfgang and Rositta Wiltschko did a study where they tested garden warblers by exposing them to a horizontal magnetic field in a lab during their migration. After being exposed to the horizontal magnetic field, while actually being in the Northern Hemisphere, the birds placed in circular experimental arenas changed direction and started flying ‘towards the magnetic pole’ rather than ‘towards the equator’, as they would normally do in the wild in that region. The results of that work have never been replicated independently by other research groups. Our main goal was to test how a horizontal magnetic field affects other birds that also cross the magnetic equator, like marsh warblers and spotted flycatchers. We used the same methods as the Wiltschkos. Our results showed that not all birds change direction when exposed to a horizontal magnetic field. Marsh warblers and spotted flycatchers did not seem to respond. This suggests that these birds might use other ways to navigate when they cross the equator, instead of relying on the magnetic field. This shows that different species may use different ways to find their way, and current experiments might not work for all birds.

Science is not just data analysis, writing papers and presenting at conferences. It also involves everyday routine work that requires attention to detail. While working on this article, our routine included: conducting nightly orientation tests with birds in Emlen funnels, recording results during the day, and preparing and painting the funnels in the evening for the next series of experiments. Such persistence and patience in routine tasks are common across all fields of science and are what ultimately lead to new discoveries. In the photo – Emlen funnels set up at the experimental site.

Science is not just data analysis, writing papers and presenting at conferences. It also involves everyday routine work that requires attention to detail. While working on this article, our routine included: conducting nightly orientation tests with birds in Emlen funnels, recording results during the day, and preparing and painting the funnels in the evening for the next series of experiments. Such persistence and patience in routine tasks are common across all fields of science and are what ultimately lead to new discoveries. In the photo – Emlen funnels set up at the experimental site.

What do you enjoy most about research, and why?

What inspires me most about research is the sense of discovery and the opportunity to find answers to complex questions that deepen our understanding of nature. As someone who works in experimental biology, I particularly appreciate the process of designing and building experimental setups to test new hypotheses. I enjoy finding creative solutions to create conditions that largely mimic the natural environment of animals, while ensuring high accuracy in measurement and data recording. This process not only enhances my knowledge but also pushes me to continually refine my skills and approach to solving scientific challenges.

What is the hardest challenge you have faced in the course of your research and how did you overcome it?

One of the most difficult challenges I faced during my research was dealing with unexpected experimental results while working on a project to study bat orientation. We had to revise our hypothesis and rethink our approach, but I learned to see setbacks as opportunities to refine and improve the study. Collaboration and feedback from colleagues were crucial in overcoming this problem. It was a reminder that scientific research is not always a straight path and that flexibility, persistence and the willingness to revise our ideas are essential for success.

What is your favourite animal, and why?

My favorite animal is the bird. I find them absolutely amazing due to their remarkable navigational skills and their ability to travel immense distances across the globe. What fascinates me most is how they use a variety of environmental cues to navigate during their long migratory journeys. Birds rely on visual landmarks, the position of the sun, the stars and even the Earth's magnetic field to find their way across continents, often covering thousands of kilometers with astonishing precision and endurance.

Do you have a top tip for others just starting out at your career stage?

My top tip is to embrace collaboration. Don't be afraid to seek advice or feedback from others, whether they are colleagues, mentors, or experts from different fields. Collaboration allows you to see things from a fresh perspective, which can help you tackle challenges in innovative ways. It's important to recognize that no one has all the answers, and by sharing ideas and discussing different viewpoints, you can often come up with solutions you may not have considered on your own. Moreover, working with others can lead to new opportunities, whether it's learning new techniques, gaining insights into other areas of research, or even forming lasting professional relationships. In my experience, collaboration not only enhances the quality of your work but also makes the research process more rewarding and enjoyable.

Gleb Utvenko's contact details: Biological Station Rybachy, Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 238535 Rybachy, Kaliningrad Region, Russia.

E-mail: [email protected]

Utvenko
,
G.
,
Gorvat
,
P.
,
Grebenkova
,
A.
,
Pakhomov
,
A.
and
Chernetsov
,
N.
(
2025
).
Magnetic orientation of marsh warblers (Acrocephalus palustris) and spotted flycatchers (Muscicapa striata) was maintained after simulated crossing of the magnetic equator
.
J. Exp. Biol.
228
,
jeb248169
.