Cats!

No one prepares us for the impact pets have on our life. When I said goodbye to my dog, Kira, in Colombia I never thought I would have another pet as a graduate student. Then Milo entered my life (2022) and changed my world, giving me a new perspective to approach life and work.

Kira circa 2008

Milo 2023

I was never interested in cats, but the more I read about them the more I find them fascinating. Human relationship with cats has been a complicated one: borned from a mutual benefit, to being seen as gods to then be feared and killed, and finally finding a place in our homes as family members.

Science has not been kind to cats. They have been studied as model organisms in biomedical research in area of neurology, immunology, genetic diseases, and spinal cord injury. Biomechanics and physiology don't stay behind, where they have been summited to invasive studies in neurological responses and musculoskeletal form and function. However, scientist looking at cat behavior have been kinder to the species, showing us that cats create strong bonds with their guardians, and can understand and communicate with us.

I use Milo (and cats) as a teaching tool, having my students think about learned concepts in terms of feline biology and how it differs from human biology. Students seem to enjoy this, noticing the absence of cat facts in class.

You can follow our adventures and learn a bit of biology along the way!