Bird Brains!
NOVEMBER 14, 2025
Carlos Botero
University of Texas at Austin
What is the talk about?
What can birds teach us about intelligence? They may have “bird brains,” but they can solve problems, use tools, and even share culture. In the next Hot Science – Cool Talks, Dr. Carlos Botero explores how intelligence evolves and how bird brain scans are helping scientists understand it better. With surprising examples of clever bird behavior, this talk will change how you see our feathered friends forever.
About our presenter
Carlos Botero
Carlos is an Associate Professor at The University of Texas at Austin, where he studies how life, from microbes to humans, adapts to unpredictable environments. He holds a PhD from Cornell University and previously taught at Washington University in St. Louis. His research explores topics such as the evolution of intelligence in animals such as birds, human cultural change, and how organisms respond to climate shifts. Through fieldwork, lab experiments, and theoretical modeling, Carlos seeks to uncover the general rules that shape life’s ability to adapt and evolve.
Schedule & Location
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 5:30-6:40 PM | Cool Activities | 2nd Floor Grand Hallway, Welch Hall (WEL), UT Campus |
| 7:00-8:15 PM | Talk | 2.224, Welch Hall (WEL), UT Campus |
Parking & Directions
Welch Hall (WEL), UT Campus
Welch Hall (WEL) is located at 105 E. 24th St, on the corner of Speedway and 24th Streets. Enter the Welch Hall building from the Speedway side.
Discount event parking will be available soon at https://utparking.clickandpark.com/ until midnight Thursday before the talk! From the "Venue Selection" page, select Welch Hall. You will see the Hot Science - Cool Talks, select the date of this event. Select Find Parking. Select the parking passes you need and click Add to Cart. (The cost of parking is determined by UT Parking and Transportation) Select Continue Checkout. Add your Billing Info and Complete Purchase. You will be sent a pdf attachment with a QR code. Please check the PDF has your code. Otherwise, contact ClickandPark at 866-330-7275 for billing issues.