A new complex has expanded Texas A&M’s capacity for avian research.

Megan Palsa, executive director of communication, media and public relations at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, said the updated complex now houses more birds.

“Before, there were little areas for research,” Palsa said. “The new avian complex is nice and has a modern lab. We now have the ability for more research and more discovery.”

Ian Tizard, distinguished professor of exotic bird health and lead tenant of the new complex, said the conditions in the previous complex caused the birds stress but that the new complex is state of the art. Tizard said the complex has a lot of new features, including isolation facilities, offices, labs and a sick ward.

Paulina Escandon, biomedical sciences graduate student, said the new sick ward makes research much more effective.

“It is huge, and there is a medical area where researchers can work with birds, whereas before birds had to be taken to a separate ward if they were sick,” Escandon said. “The old complex had two rooms to house birds, one for the infected and one for the non-infectious. We didn’t even have bathrooms — it was kind of a hassle.”

Tizard said much of the research conducted at the complex focuses on birds infected with disease.

“There are many sick birds — big ones especially,” Tizard said. “Lots of the birds we’re doing research on are infected.”

Escandon said she is excited to utilize the new complex.
“It’s amazing — it’s a great workplace that I’m excited to work in and make a difference with the birds,” Escandoin said. “Our goal is saving lives of birds all over the world.”