Doctoral Candidate Department of Psychology University of Pennsylvania Contact: Institute for Research in Cognitive Science University of Pennsylvania 3401 Walnut, Suite 400A Philadelphia, PA 19104-6228 email:   snydern (at) sas.upenn.edu Education 2008   M.A.   Psychology, Animal Behavior, University of Pennsylvania 2007   B.A.   Psychology, University of Pennsylvania C.V.                 RESEARCH INTERESTS GELADAS (Theropithecus gelada) In collaboration with the University of Michigan Gelada Research Project (UMGRP), I study the socio-genetic structure of geladas. My research incorporates both laboratory and field techniques. In collaboration with Dr. Susan Alberts at Duke University I use non-invasive genetic sampling techniques to determine relatedness between individuals and groups. Using this two-pronged approach I can examine the interactions between genetics, relatedness, and social behaviors in a complex society.   PAST RESEARCH BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS (Molothrus ater) For my MA thesis I studied the interaction between sociality and song development in the brown-headed cowbird. Male cowbirds produce many different song types. I researched how song functions in different social contexts (i.e. male-female, male-male). I also studied how the social environment affects the development of all aspects of song (song potency, repertoire size), and the hormonal correlates, in juvenile cowbirds.        PUBLICATIONS GELADAS Snyder-Mackler, N, Alberts, SC & Bergman TJ – The effect of relatedness on the evolution of the multi-level society of geladas (Theropithecus gelada). in prep Le Roux, A, Snyder-Mackler, N, Roberts, EK, Beehner, JC & Bergman TJ – Sneaky Simian Sex: Evidence for tactical concealment in a wild primate. in prep Snyder-Mackler, N, Alberts, SC & Bergman TJ – Limited kin preference for cooperation in a species with high within-group relatedness. in prep Snyder-Mackler N, Alberts SC & Bergman TJ. Concessions of an alpha male: Cooperative reproductive transactions in a polygynous primate. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences under revision Pappano DJ*, Snyder-Mackler N*, Bergman TJ & Beehner JC (2011). Social predators in a multi-level primate society. Animal Behaviour under review Snyder-Mackler N, Beehner JC & Bergman TJ (2011). Defining Higher Levels in the Multilevel Societies of Geladas (Theropithecus gelada) International J. Primatology in press. doi: 10.1007/s10764-012-9584-5 BROWN-HEADED COWBIRDS White DJ, Gersick AS & Snyder-Mackler N “Social networks and the development of social skills in cowbirds.” – Phil. Transactions B- accepted Gersick AS, Snyder-Mackler N, White DJ (2011). Ontogeny of social skills: social complexity improves mating and competitive strategies in male brown-headed cowbirds. Animal Behaviour in press. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2012.02.005 Snyder-Mackler N & White DJ (2011). The developmental ecology of acoustic sensitivities: reactions to song playbacks by male cowbirds change across their first year of life. Behaviour, 148:7, 747-764. doi: 10.1163/000579511X575951 White DJ, Gersick AS, Freed-Brown SG & Snyder-Mackler N (2010). The ontogeny of social skills: experimental increases in social complexity enhance reproductive success in adult cowbirds. Animal Behaviour , 79:2, 385-390. doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.11.014 * co-first authors   PRESS New York Times Scientist at Work blog APA gradPSYCH: Research Roundup   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