UC expert explains butterfly migration in new Apple TV show
Biologist appears in 'Jane,' a children's nature series inspired by Jane Goodall
A University of Cincinnati biologist makes a cameo in Apple TV’s new series “Jane,” a children’s show with a wildlife conservation message.
Co-created by primatologist Jane Goodall, “Jane” tells the story of Jane Garcia and her friends who go on animal-themed adventures using their imaginations. Each episode ends with the child characters talking to real-life experts about the animals featured in the episode.
The series debuted on April 14.
UC College of Arts and Sciences Assistant Professor Patrick Guerra is featured in Episode 7 discussing his work with monarch butterflies.
“The premise of the show is how Jane Garcia’s idol is Jane Goodall. In every episode, the little girl and her friends, including her plush stuffed-animal chimpanzee, go on make-believe adventures,” Guerra said.
The production crew shot his scenes remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic by letting him borrow lights and cameras used by YouTube streamers that he set up in his lab. His interaction with the child actors was scripted, so Guerra got a chance to do some acting as well.
“It was fun. We got a dose of Hollywood in Southwest Ohio,” he said.
Guerra and his students study monarch butterflies in his lab and at UC’s Center for Field Studies near Miami Whitewater Forest. He recently discovered that light pollution can interfere with a monarch butterfly’s internal navigation system.
In the show, Guerra confides to the children that he didn’t always want to study animals.
“When I was growing up I wanted to be a detective. But as you can see, I kind of do the same thing now. I solve problems by doing detective work, trying to understand how to help monarchs,” Guerra tells the children in the show.
He also relates the monarch’s amazing multi-generation migration with his own family’s journey from the Philippines to Canada and the United States. And he introduces other children in North America who are planting milkweed to feed monarchs during their migration.
Guerra watched his episode with his family over the weekend.
“My daughter said, ‘Hey, that’s you, dad!’” he said.
Featured image at top: The cast and producer of "Jane" pose with Jane Goodall at the premiere. Photo/Apple TV
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
UC expert explains butterfly migration in new Apple TV show
April 20, 2023
UC College of Arts and Sciences biologist Patrick Guerra has a cameo in the new Apple TV series "Jane," a children's show co-created and inspired by Jane Goodall.
NBC News: Silk masks are good for skin, staying safe
April 12, 2021
UC biologist Patrick Guerra talks to NBC News about why silk is a good material for face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
CityBeat: UC research finds spiders might recognize faces
May 25, 2021
CityBeat profiles the work of students in biologist Nathan Morehouse's lab.
WVXU: Researchers honored in Greece for Bronze Age discoveries
June 7, 2021
UC Classics Department Head Jack Davis and senior research associate Sharon Stocker talk to WVXU about their work in Pylos, Greece, and being honored with the Commander of the Order of the Phoenix medals by the Greek president.
WLWT: Why Bradford pear is now banned in Ohio
February 14, 2023
WLWT-Channel 5 talks to a University of Cincinnati biology professor about Ohio's ban on the sale of Callery pear trees. Ohio hopes to protect native forests from the invasive trees.
How to make the faculty job search less discouraging
May 5, 2023
Postdoctoral researchers often get little useful feedback about ways to improve their job applications for faculty positions. So a University of Cincinnati anthropologist set up a pilot program that invited postdoctoral researchers to review each others’ application documents.
UC professors named scientific society fellows
June 7, 2024
Three University of Cincinnati professors were named to the 2023 class of American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows, a distinguished lifetime honor within the scientific community. From UC's College of Arts and Sciences, Carlton Brett, a professor in the department of geosciences, and George Uetz, a biological sciences professor, were honored. Dionysios Dionysiou, a professor of environmental engineering in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, was honored posthumously.
Invasive species are taking over Ohio forests
June 15, 2022
A new botanical survey of southwest Ohio found that invasive species introduced to the United States over the past century are crowding out many native plants. They found that many species purposely introduced as landscaping plants are flourishing in the wild.
Wired: Is psychedelic therapy bubble about to burst?
September 9, 2022
UC postdoctoral researcher Nese Devenot talks to Wired magazine about challenges facing psychedelic therapies.
Psychedelic research renaissance
August 16, 2022
Psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin and MDMA are gaining increasing attention in scientific and medical circles because of the potential they hold for treating anxiety disorders and emotional trauma. UC's Nese Devenot explains why psychedelics are seeing a research renaissance.