Education
2008 M.A. Psychology, Animal Behavior, University of Pennsylvania
2007 B.A. Psychology, University of Pennsylvania
C.V.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research focuses on the evolution of intelligence through the maintenance and manipulation of relationships in two social animals: the gelada monkey (Theropithecus gelada) and the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater).
GELADA MONKEYS (Theropithecus gelada)
In collaboration with the University of Michigan Gelada Research Project (UMGRP), I study how relatedness affects group formation and cohesion. I use non-invasive genetic sampling techniques to determine relatedness between individuals and groups. Using these data I can then develop playback experiments to determine what individuals know about their social structure. With this cross-species approach, I hope to uncover the relationship between sociality and cognition.
BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS (Molothrus ater)
I am interested in the effect of hormones, such as testosterone, corticosterone, and estradiol, on cowbird social behaviors, specifically communication. Male cowbirds produce many different song types. I am interested in the the function of producing certain song types in different social interactions (i.e. male-female, male-male). I am also interested in how the social environment affects the development of all aspects of song (song potency, repertoire size), and the hormonal correlates, in juvenile cowbirds.
Advisors & Collaborators
Drs. Robert Seyfarth & Dorothy Cheney - University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Thore Bergman - University of Michigan
Dr. David White - University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Susan Alberts - Duke University
Dr. Eduardo Fernandez-Duque - University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Jacinta Beehner - University of Michigan
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