Inside GBatNet: Tigga’s PEEC Affiliation Seminar

Tigga recently presented at the weekly PEEC seminar, where she gave a deep dive into the Global Union of Bat Diversity Networks (GBatNet). Her talk, “Working Together for Sustainable Bat Diversity in a Changing World,” explored how the network got started, what it’s working toward, and how it continues to grow.

She walked through the development of GBatNet’s working groups and highlighted its focus on supporting the next generation of interdisciplinary researchers. More broadly, her talk emphasized why strong, collaborative research networks are so important for conserving bat diversity in the face of global change!

Dungeons, dragons… and ecology?

Heather brought science to UI-Con 2026 as part of UIUC’s Cosplay for Science outreach group. Alongside other SIB panelists, she cosplayed as an adventurer to explore the science behind dungeon ecosystems. Within the Delicious in Dungeon universe, Heather connected anime-inspired storytelling to real concepts like One Health and the ecosystem services provided by bats. The panel was a fun and creative way to engage new audiences in STEM, while also talking about how great bats are!