Aren joined PopEcol at the age of 10, making him the youngest member in the group’s history by about fifteen years. His research combines field ornithology with structural engineering: he watches birds through a spotting scope taller than he is, then builds them houses out of LEGO, cardboard and whatever is left in the garage. He is currently testing the hypothesis that every animal is more interesting than homework. Preliminary results are strongly supportive.
Research interests
Animals (all of them), building things, building things for animals, and why the ibex gets to climb walls but he does not.
CV
- Since 2026, MSc student, Population Ecology Research Group, University of Zurich (admission under review by the Faculty)
- 2025, Independent field study, “Ducks of the local pond: a census” (n = 7 ducks, 1 suspected goose)
- 2024, Founder and sole engineer, Backyard Bird Hotel (three storeys, no guests yet)
- 2023, Discovered that binoculars also work backwards
Skills
Spotting scope operation, LEGO architecture, mud identification, asking “why?” until the supervisor gives up.
Supervisor
Prof. Dr. Arpat Ozgul (conflict of interest declared)