Interests and Research Projects

• 2024 Cohort

  Jordan Bertrand, B.S. Environmental Science and Sustainability, B.S. Psychology, Western
  Michigan University
  Faculty advisors: Dr. Kara Gabriel
  Research interests: Social learning with captive orangutans and tool use.

  Em Bradford-Brann, B.A. Anthropology, B.S. Primate Behavior and Ecology, Central Washington University. A.A.S, Veterinary Technician, Pima Medical Institute
  Faculty advisors: Dr. Jessica Mayhew
  Research interests: Anthropogenic Influences on Non-Human Primates, Arts-Based Conservation Outreach, Primate Conservation Education Programs (PCEPs).
  
  Sarah Bustamante, B.A. Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City
  Faculty advisors: Kara Gabriel and Mary Radeke
  Research interests: Social relationships among chimpanzees.
   
  Cate Connolly, B.A. Liberal Studies, Portland State University
  Faculty advisors: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold 
  Research interests: Mobility and Eldercare in Chimpanzees.
   
  Alexis Erickson, B.S. Psychology, University of Texas at Arlington
  Faculty advisors: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold 
  Research interests: Sign modulation, communicative function, chimpanzee hierarchy.
   
  Candice Mendez, BS Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and BFA in Dance, University of Nevada Las Vegas
  Faculty advisors: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold
  Research interests: Turn initiations of ASL conversations in chimpanzees.
   
  Robyn Scott, B.S. Anthropology, B.S. Primate Behavior and Ecology, Central Washington University
  Faculty advisors: Dr. Kara Gabriel
  Research interests: Post-conflict behavior, reconciliation, and social network analysis in western lowland gorillas.
   
  Kyler Skinner, B.S. Wildlife Resources, University of Idaho
  Faculty advisors: Dr. Lori Sheeran
  Research interests: Sleep Sites and Sleeping Behavior of Brown-Headed Spider Monkeys.
   
  Prospere Teberd, BS Biology and Forestry, Marien N'gouabi University
  Faculty advisors: Dr. Lori Sheeran
  Research interests: Great ape conservation and tourism, emphasizing local community development in northern Congo.
   
  Kay Tellez, BS Anthropology, BS Biology, Texas State University
  Faculty advisors: Dr. April Binder
  Research interests: Dispersal patterns in ursine colobus monkeys, Habitat fragmentation, Conservation biology.
• 2023 Cohort
  
  

  Animesh Adhikary, BA in Biology, Beloit College Faculty advisors: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Abundance and distribution patterns of Malabar slender lorises (Loris lydekkerianus malabaricus) in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, India.

  Audrey Joseph, BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado Boulder Faculty advisors: Dr. Kara Gabriel Research interests: Online webcam use in zoos and aquariums

  Emily LaPlante, B.S. Anthropology, B.S. Primate Behavior and Ecology, Central Washington University Faculty advisors: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Cross-species housing as social enrichment in captive pottos.

  Jianna Terranova,  B.A. Anthropology, B.S. Primate Behavior and Ecology, Central Washington University Faculty advisors: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Effects of Humans Presence versus Absence on Aggression and Grooming Patterns in Silver Spring’s Rhesus Macaques.

• 2022 Cohort
  
  

  Alister Brown, B.A. Psychology, University of Arkansas  Faculty advisors: Dr. Kara Gabriel Research interests: Effects of environmental stressors (mainly human related eg. deforestation, hunting, tourism) on primate social behaviors. Thesis: Height Location and Behavior in Eastern Black-and-White-Colobus (Colobus guereza) Associated with Zoo Visitor Characteristics

  Kalila Garrison, B.A. Anthropology, Colorado State University  Faculty advisor: Dr. Nicole Jastremski Research interests: Primate osteology, evolution, and comparative hominid anatomy. Thesis: The Auricular Surface of Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) as an indicator of Age   Dakota Hogan, B.A. Anthropology, Central Washington University Faculty advisor: Dr. Kara Gabriel Research interests: Vertical space use in captive small bodied arboreal primates.

  Randi Olson, B.A. Anthropology, University of Northern Colorado Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Caregiver and captive primate relationships. Initial caregiver introduction methods and caregiver roles in social enrichment for captive chimpanzees.

  Jessica Oscavich, B.S. Small Animal Science, Delaware Valley University Faculty advisor: Dr. April Binder Research interests: Welfare of nonhuman primates in biomedical research, environmental enrichment, stereotypic behaviors, Macaca fascicularis, the human-animal bond, compassion fatigue. Thesis: Comparing the Prevalence of Sterotypic Behaviors and Enrichment Use in Rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and Japanese Macaques (M. fuscata)

  Katie Seymour, B.A. Psychology, Waynesburg University Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Comparative psychology, primate cognition, animal behavior, learning and intelligence.

• 2021 Cohort

  Kristy Abney, B.S. Biology, Allen University  Faculty advisors: Dr. Kara Gabriel and Dr. Mary Radeke Research interests: Antipredator behavior, parental investment, and conservation. Thesis: Infant-Maternal Behaviors During Non-Maternal Infant Handling Interactions in Captive Long-Tailed Macauqes (Macaca fascicularis)

  Taylor Barber, B.A. Anthropology, University of California - Santa Cruz  Faculty advisor: Dr. Kara Gabriel Research interests: Primate populations in coffee growing regions, conservation. Thesis: Using Primates as a Flagship Species in Marketing Campaigns: Effects on Proenvironmental Attitudes and Behavioral Intentions

  Josie Callahan, B.A. Philosophy and Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh Faculty advisor: Dr. Matthew Altman & Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Philosophy (particularly phenomenology & existentialism), human-primate relations, extinction. Thesis: The Use of Field Philosophy in Conserving the World's Rarest Ape, the Hainan Gibbon (Nomascus hainanus): A Philosophical Engagement With Researchers and Conservationists

  Lilith Frakes, B.A. Anthropology and Comparative Literature, Stanford University Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Primate psychology, social behavior, and conservation. Thesis: Identifying Paternal Behavior in Captive Sumatran (Pongo abelli) and Hybrid Orangutans (Pongo abelii X Pongo pygmaeus)

  Benjamin Lake, B.A. Biology, Illinois State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Kara Gabriel and Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Primate Cognition and Welfare, Chimpanzees, Thermal imaging, and Eye Tracking. Thesis: Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Skin Temperature During Resting Behavior at Different Ambient Temperatures

  Payton Livingston, B.A. Psychology, Sociology, and Social Science, University of Sioux Falls Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Radeke Research interests: Evolutionary Psychology Thesis: Comparability of Personality Assessments in a Captive Population of Japanese Macaques (Macaca fuscata)

  Naylea Lopez, B.A. Anthropology, California State University - Fullerton Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Cognition, communication, anthropogenic effects on primates, and behavioral differences between captive and non-captive primates. Thesis: The Influence of Behaviorally Matched Play Gestures on the Duration of Social Play Bouts in Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)

  Amanda Pauli, B.A. Art, California State University - East Bay Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Primate care and enrichment, particularly chimpanzee introduction techniques.

  Desiree Peck, B.S. Zoology, Weber State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Kara Gabriel Research interests: Cognitive capabilities of small bodied apes. Thesis: Evaluating Mirror-Guided Behaviors in Hylobatids

  Miarisoa Ramilison, M.S. Zoology, University of Mahajanga, Madagascar Faculty advisor: Dr. Lixing Sun Research interests: Primate behavior, conservation, social network analysis, parasitology & disease ecology Thesis: Intestinal Parasite Infection in Tibetan Macaques (Macac Thebetana) in Eastern China

  Virginia Sanchez, B.A. Anthropology, California State University - East Bay Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Human and chimpanzee interactions. Focusing on conservation through understanding the main threats to wild chimpanzees and finding solutions to urgent needs of community members to promote coexistence with wild chimpanzees. Thesis: Forest Patrol Guards and Caregivers' Perceptions of Wild Chimpanzee Populations Near Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Sierra Leone

  Mia Sarkisian, B.A. Biology, B.A. Anthropology, Bridgewater State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Ape mothering and social development, inter-species interactions, behavioral ecology, rehabilitation and reintroduction.

  Ember Toth, B.A. Biology, Franklin and Marshall College Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Animal welfare, animal behavior, enrichment and training, captive primate care, human-primate social interactions, primate cognition. Thesis: STAFF PERCEPTIONS OF RESPONSIBILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COGNITIVE ENRICHMENT FOR NON-HUMAN PRIMATES IN ZOO SETTINGS

• 2020 Cohort
  
  

  Danna Boshak, B.A. Psychology, Colgate University Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Radeke Research interests: Conservation, great ape cognition, enrichment, ecotourism/eco volunteering.

  Elizabeth DeBruyn, B.S. Ecology and Evolution, Beloit College Faculty advisors: Dr. Kara Gabriel & Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: My research interests surround the ways in which aberrant human behaviors have evolved. Neotropical primates are further removed from humans and the great-apes than most primate taxa which makes the co-evolved behavioral traits seen in humans and neotropical primates far more interesting. In short, I am fascinated with why we are so horrible to each other as a species. Thesis: Attachment Style and Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis Activity in Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) Infants

  Ryan Domitz Faculty advisor: Dr. Kara Gabriel Research interests: Disease ecology, particularly the relationship between parasitism and host behavior. Thesis: https://Using Capture-Recapture to Estimate Population Size: A Case Study Assessing Homelessness in Kittitas County, WA, and the Applicability of the Capture-Recapture Method to Primate Species Estimates

  Julia Greeson Faculty advisor: Dr. Kara Gabriel Research interests: Primate cognition and intelligence, animal emotion, environmental enrichment, abnormal behavior, psychological trauma, evolutionary psychology, comparative psychology, animal welfare, and conservation. Thesis: Examining Enrichment Use by Captive Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) Publication:  Greeson JL, Gabriel KI, Mulcahy JB, King Hendrickson B, Lonborg SD, Holloway JC. 2022. An Evaluation of Ethograms Measuring Distinct Features of Enrichment Use by Captive Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Animals, 12(16): https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12162029

  Patricia Mitchell, BA Applied Anthropology, The University of North Texas Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Biological anthropology, evolutionary psychology, and the human experience. How social pressures impact group size, what evolutionary forces are selecting for particular social pressures, and if the ecological constraints model is responsible for group size. Thesis: Examining the function of Stone Wrapping Behavioral Pattern in Balinese Long-Tailed Macaques

  Eliette Noromalala, B.S. Primate Ecology, University of Mahajanga; M.S. in Anthropology, University of Antananarivo Faculty advisor: Dr. April Binder Research interests: Lemur ecology, behavior, social dynamics, conservation. Thesis: Factors Influencing Intestinal Parasite in Black-and-While Ruffed Lemurs (Varecia variegata)

  Caroline Ratliff, B.S. Organismal Biology, Christopher Newport University  Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Verbal/non-verbal communication, social ranking, release potential, cognition, conservation.  Thesis: The Use of Gesture Forms Within Sequence in Free-Living Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in Gombe National Park, Tanzania

  Robin Salak, B.A. Speech Pathology & Audiology, San Jose State University M.A. Special Education, Santa Clara University Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Chimpanzee communication, and cognition, as well as causes of abnormal behavior in captive chimpanzees and methods to reduce or extinguish those behaviors. Thesis: A Comparison of Chimpanzee Wound Rates Before and During COVID-19 Zoo Closures  Salak RE, Cloutier Barbour C. 2022. Is Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Wounding Frequency Affected by the Presence Versus Absence of Visitors? A Multi-Institutional Study. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens. 3(3): https://doi.org/10.3390/jzbg3030025

  Kelsie Strong, B.A. Anthropology, University of Utah Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Primate behavioral ecology, primate conservation, howler monkeys, capped langurs. Thesis: Distribution of Capped Langurs (Trachypithecus pileatus) in Bhutan

  Chelsea Thompson, B.S. Anthropology, Illinois State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Gorilla behavioral ecology and anatomy, primate skeletal analysis, African large-bodied apes, population variation. Thesis: The use of marcomorphoscopic analysis to examine nonmetric skull variation within a gorilla subspecies: Gorilla gorilla gorilla

• 2019 Cohort

  Ashton Asbury, BS Animal Behavior, Indiana University
  Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran
  Research interests: What makes humans engage in learning about primates when they see them in captivity and human impact on great apes in captivity and in the wild.
  Thesis:The Human-Long-Tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) Interface at Don Chao Poo Forest, Phana, Thailand

  Carson Black, BA Anthropology, Colorado State University - Fort Collins
  Faculty advisors: Dr. Jessica Mayhew
  Research interests: Primate conservation biology, human-primate interactions in relation to disease transmission, conservation strategies.
  Thesis: Ecological and Anthropogenic Influences on a Sentinel Species’ Gut Microbiome

  J.P. Calcitrai, BS Evolutionary Anthropology, Rutgers University
  Faculty advisor: Dr. April Binder
  Research interests: Behavioral endocrinology, complex adaptive system evolution, socioecology and social hierarchy dynamics, evolutionary psychology, and sexual selection.
  Thesis: Patterning and Quality of Male-Male Interactions in Hamadryas Baboons (Papio hamadryas) 

  Trevon Covington, BS Biology, Tennessee Technological University
  Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew
  Research interests: Youth-to-youth and youth-to-adult play behavior, and paternal parenting behaviors (Old World and New World species comparison).
  Thesis: The Blackness: Analyzing and Confronting the Underrepresentation of Black Americans in Primatology 

  Riley Derby, BA Anthropology, The University of Texas at Austin
  Faculty advisors: Dr. Jessica Mayhew
  Research interests: Great ape social interaction and behavior, gorilla adolescence and life history, gorilla and chimpanzee growth, gorilla group structure, conservation.
  Thesis: Playing with Relatives: Genetic Kinship and Play Behavior in Juvenile Tibetan Macaques 

  Kuenzang Dorji, BS Sustainable Development, Royal University of Bhutan
  Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran
  Research interests: Conservation, genetics, biodiversity, education, large cats, langurs, and macaques.
  Thesis: Expatriation Risk of the Endangered Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei) Inside and Outside Biological Corridors, Langthel Sub-district, Trongsa, Central District Bhutan

  Courtney Garzone, BS Animal Science, The Pennsylvania State University
  Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold
  Research interests: Captive welfare and enrichment, ethnoprimatology, conservation.

  David Pitchford, BS Psychology, minors in Biology & Neuroscience, Middle Tennessee State University
  Faculty advisor: Dr. Sofia Blue
  Research interests: Bioacoustics and honest-signaling as they pertain to health, disease ecology, neural and immunological correlates of cognition and social behavior.

  Madalyn Rantala, BAS Applied Behavioral Sciences, Seattle Central College
  Faculty advisor: Dr. Kara Gabriel
  Research interests: Ethnoprimatology, captive primate welfare, the global trade in exotic animals, natural resource conservation, bioethics, and social behavior of primates.
  Thesis:Evaluating compassion satisfaction and the risk of compassion fatigue among those working at non-human primates sanctuaries and wildlife centers 

  Jenna Skinner, BS Care, Health, & Society, University of Arizona
  Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold
  Research interests: Habitat conservation, using American Sign Language to improve animal welfare among chimpanzees, captive vs. non captive care, and orangutans.

  Kyle Taylor, BS Exercise and Sport Sciences, Colby-Sawyer College
  Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew
  Research interests: Sexual differentiation and social behavior, ecological and physiological mechanisms of female dominance and cohesive alliances, lemurs, and bonobos.

• 2018 Cohort

  Rose Amrhein, BS Zoology, Juniata College Faculty advisor: Dr. Lixing Sun Research interests: Primate social interactions and structures as well as other behavioral areas such as aggression and mating. Thesis: The ontogenesis of social behavior in the Tibetan macaque (Macaca thibetana)

  Rhiannon Belcher, BS Zoology, University of Wisconsin-Madison Faculty advisors: Dr. Kara Gabriel, Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Factors that affect social behavior of lemurs, lemur conservation, enclosure design for captive lemurs. Thesis: Examining Environmental Use in Captive Lemur catta and Varecia rubra

  Kailyn Campbell, BS Primate Behavior & Ecology, BA Anthropology, Central Washington University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Tourism effects, rehabilitation, great apes, lemurs. Thesis: Effects of Different Housing Configurations on Captive Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Behavior in Holding Area During Construction

  Elizabeth Coggeshall, BA Anthropology Honors, The University of Texas at Austin Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Development of alloprimates, mother-infant relationships, health: parasitology and gut microbiome, human-wildlife interactions, bioethics and rehabilitation. Thesis: Group differences in mother-infant Macaca fascicularis behavior, parasite load, and body condition within an anthropogenically altered forest

  Erin Emerson, BA Psychology emphasis in evolutionary, BA Anthropology emphasis in biological, minor Women's Studies, Fort Lewis College Faculty advisors: Dr. Kara Gabriel, Dr. Mary Radeke Research interests: the development of gendered behavior in gorillas, reproduction and rearing of offspring in callitrichids,  the relationship between neurochemicals and diversity of social structures in callitrichids.

  Rachel Fuller, BS Anthropology, minor in Biology, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Faculty advisor: Dr. Sofia Blue Research interests: Primate rehabilitation, primate behavior. Thesis: Guidelines for the rehabilitation, release, and post-release assessment of chacma baboons (Papio ursinus)

  Robert Shaun Mayo, BA Anthropology, minor in Biology, East Tennessee State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Habitat conservation, rehabilitation, foraging habits and techniques, large-bodied apes, small-bodied apes, prosimians. Thesis: Hand preference for food holding, reaching, food-tapping, and digit-feeding in captive adult aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis)

  Emily Patton, BA Anthropology, secondary major in Natural Resources & Environmental Sciences, minor in Biology, Kansas State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Captive welfare, chimpanzee social behavior, personality, play behavior, human-wildlife conflict, ethnoprimatology, rehabilitation. Thesis: Chimpanzee early life histories and responses to caregiver use of species-specific behavior

  Madeleine Spencer, BA Psychology, concentration in Biology, Rowan University Faculty advisor: Dr. Sofia Blue Research interests: Rehabilitation, conservation, mother/infant bonds in Chacma baboons. Thesis: Mommy Issues: Do Differential Rearing Histories Affect the Social Behavior of Captive Chacma Baboons (Papio ursinus)

• 2017 Cohort
  
  

  Alan Bergman, BS Zoology, Miami University Faculty advisor: Dr. Kara Gabriel Research interests: Visitor effects on the quality of life of great apes. Thesis: Gorilla-Visitor Interface at a Zoo Exhibit: Positioning Effects on Western Lowland Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and Zoo Visitors / 2019

  Sofia Castro-Loza, BS Animal Science, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Ethnoprimatology, the human-primate interface. Thesis: Ethnoprimatology of Urban Cebus yuracus: An evolution of human-nonhuman interactions and local perceptions in Misahualli, Ecuador / 2019

  Grace Coffman, BS Anthropology, minor in Fisheries, Forestry & Wildlife, The Ohio State University  Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Visitor effects and stress levels in captive chimpanzees. Thesis: The Effect of Sound on Captive Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) / 2019

  Chad DeBree, BA Anthropology, BA Political Science with International Studies Certificate, Arizona State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Gestural communication and cooperation. Thesis: Comparison of Gesture Articulation Across Wild Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Communities

  Jake Funkhouser, BS Primate Behavior & Ecology, BA Psychology, Central Washington University Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Social Network Analysis, group composition, captive primate-caregiver relationships, welfare, personality. Thesis: Re-evaluating Captive Chimpanzee “Dominance”: Dominance Hierarchy and Chimpanzee-Caregiver Relationships at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest / 2018

  Mireille Gonzalez, BA Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley Faculty advisor: Dr. Kara Gabriel Research interests: Primate rescue, rehabilitation & release, habitat conservation, unique sexual selection & social hierarchies. Thesis: Effects of a Voluntourism Experience on Perceptions and Attitudes Towards Environmental Sustainability and Science / 2019

  Victoria Green, BS Evolutionary Anthropology & Philosophy, Rutgers University Faculty advisor: Dr. Matthew Altman Research interests: The ethics of studying wild primates and the perception humans have toward non-human primates. Thesis: How Researchers Address Ethical Concerns Regarding Habituating Nonhuman Primates: Results of a Survey and Suggestions for Future Practice / 2019

  Kalli Kohen, BA Anthropology, California State University Fullerton Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Paternal behavior in monogamous primates, the effects of stress on parental investment, social dynamics of Hylobates. Thesis: Activity Budgets of Captive Javan Gibbons (Hylobates moloch) and Their Response to Visitor Presence or Absence / 2019

  Caroline Rowley, BA Cultural Anthropology, Tulane University Faculty advisors: Dr. Sofia Blue & Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Bioacoustics, Hylobatidae, soundscape ecology. Thesis: Acoustic Analysis of Nomascus Songs as a Potential Measure of Current Health Status

  Fred Rubio, BS Biology emphasis in Zoology, California Polytechnic University, Pomona Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Chimpanzee cognition and cooperation. Thesis: A Cognitive Task via Interactive Technology as Enrichment for Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in Sanctuary / 2019

  Alex Sacco, BA Biology, Boston University Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Assessing individual health status in Neotropical primates. Thesis: Evaluations of Health in Free-Ranging Sympatric Saguinus imperator and Leontocebus weddelli Using Neopterin, Urinalysis, and Blood Chemistry Analysis / 2019

  Lisa Tweed, BA Anthropology, minor in Biology, University of North Texas Faculty advisor: Dr. Hope Amason Research interests: Conservation education, human/primate interaction. Thesis: The Challenges for a Closed-to-the-Public Animal Sanctuary: Prioritizing Animal Welfare While Engaging in Educational Community Outreach / 2019

• 2016 Cohort

  Carly Batist, BS Animal Sciences, minor in Anthropology, Cornell University Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Carly interned at a Belizean primate rehabilitation center, Wildtracks, where she cared for white-faced capuchins, black-handed spider monkeys, and Yucatan black howler monkeys. Her thesis investigated social learning in multiple lemur species. Thesis: Use of a Two-Action Paradigm Apparatus with Captive Lemurs: Insights into Social Learning / 2018

  Kailie Dombrausky, BA Anthropology & Linguistics, minors in Biology, Psychology & French, New Mexico State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Kailie's previous research includes a study of the activity budget of a juvenile siamang at the El Paso Zoo, which she presented at the 2014 Southwestern Association of Biological Anthropologists convention and was awarded Best Student Poster.  Thesis: Sign Modulation by Chimpanzees to Produce Interrogatives / 2018

  Josefine Holm Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Thesis: Single and Pair Housed Chacma Baboons’ (Papio ursinus) Response to Caregivers’ Use of Species-Specific Behavior

  Samantha Jones, BA Psychology, The Ohio State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Her interest in primates was sparked with a class titled "The Psychology of Monkeys and Apes''. She has field experience as a volunteer with chimpanzees at Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage in Zambia, Africa and as a research assistant in the Peruvian Amazon studying tamarins. Samantha has spent the last 5 years volunteering with white-handed gibbons and capuchins at The American Primate Education Sanctuary in Ohio. She is interested in research focused on social interactions in gibbons. Thesis: Comparisons of Gibbons’ (Hylobatidae) Intrapair Behaviors Indicative of a Pair Bind / 2018

  Amanda Osborne Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Thesis: Enrichment Assessment for Geriatric African Old World Monkeys Under Human Care / 2018

  Blanca Ponce-Valdez Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Thesis: Preparing the Yucatan Black Howler Monkey for its Return to the Wild: An Assessment of Wildtracks’ Approach to Rehabilitation and Reintroduction / 2018

  Kyle Runzel, BA Anthropology, minor in Environmental Studies & Planning, Sonoma State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: As an undergraduate, Kyle interned as a research assistant with the Sonoma State University Primate Ethology Research Lab where he collected behavioral/spatial data on a group of four mandrills at the San Francisco Zoo. In 2015 he participated in the DANTA Field School, Piro Research Station, Costa Rica where he collected data on the ontogeny of black-handed spider monkey prehensile tail use. Kyle's thesis research was funded through a National Science Foundation East Asia Pacific Summer Institute grant for U.S. graduate students. Thesis: Camera Trap Deployment at Mt. Huangshan, China and Video Data Management: The Potential for Localized Data Sharing / 2018

  KiriLi Stauch, BA Psychology & Anthropology, Illinois Wesleyan University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Kiri's thesis work centered around Tibetan macaques and tourist interactions in Anhui, China. Her research was funded through a National Science Foundation East Asia Pacific Summer Institute grant for U.S. graduate students. Thesis: The Impact of Web-based Visitor Education on Human-Tibetan Macaque (Macaca thibetana) Interactions at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2018

• 2015 Cohort
  
  

  Erin Connelly, Anthropology, University of Washington Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: howler monkeys, seed disperal, and howler monkey seed dispersal. Thesis: Seed Dispersal Quality of Mantled Howler Monkeys (Alouatta palliata) / 2017

  Anthony Denice, BS Biology, minor in History, Northeastern University Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: As an undergraduate, Anthony developed an interest in primatology and volunteered on a reintroduction project of Peruvian spider monkeys (Ateles chamek). In 2014, he collected behavioral data on a community of wild black-handed spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) in southern Mexico. He completed an apprenticeship at Jungle Friends Primate Sanctuary where he cared for New World monkeys that had been retired from laboratory research and the pet trade. Thesis: The Social Behavior of Rehabilitated Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) / 2017

  Emily Dura, BS Biology, minor in Education, Cornell University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Emily volunteered as a research assistant in peninsular Malaysia, where she gained a love of fieldwork and pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina). Thesis: Mother-Infant Interactions in a Free-Ranging Population of Pigtail Macaques (Macaca nemestrina) / 2017

  Brenda S. Gilpin, AA American Sign Language Interpreting, Los Angeles Pierce College; AS Animal Behavior, America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College; BA Psychology, BS Primate Behavior & Ecology, Central Washington University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Brenda was a volunteer at the Los Angeles Zoo and the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute. She is interested in innovative enrichment that will effectively increase the activity budgets of captive primates.

  Hilary Hemmes-Kavanaugh, BS Biology & Physical Anthropology, Central Michigan University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: In 2012 Hilary was a behavioral research intern at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park where she worked with a troop of six western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and six orangutans (Pongo spp.) in a diet study that has been used to reduce regurgitation and re-ingestion in captive apes. Hilary also has experience as a canine care specialist at the Humane Animal Treatment Society, a primate husbandry intern at the Primate Rescue Center and a wildlife biology intern at the Association to Rescue Critters. Thesis: Comparison of Semi-Captive and Wild Gray-Shanked Douc Langurs’ (Pygathrix cinerea) Activity Budgets / 2017

  Kaylen Kilfeather, BA Anthropology, minor in German, James Madison University Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Kaylen has patched together an eclectic background: working at a nature preserve in Texas, as part of a microbiology research team, as a macroinvertebrate stream monitor, and for a company that works with dolphins. She is currently researching the gestural communication and perspective-taking abilities of northern white-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys) at the Gibbon Conservation Center in California. Thesis: Gestural Communication in Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys)

  Courtney Martinez, BS Psychology, minor in Zoology, Washington State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Courtney volunteered at the Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education (C.A.R.E.) in South Africa and was entrusted with the daily supervision of 11 ex-laboratory chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) and overall care of various local wildlife. Her primary interests are communication and cognition. She studied mother-infant interactions in Tibetan macaques in China. Thesis: Mother-Immature Relationships in Tibetan Macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2017

  Kristín Ocasio-Rodriguez, BS General Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Bayamon Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Mayhew Research interests: Kristín previously worked at the Caribbean Primate Research Center, Puerto Rico where she worked with the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). She participated in a field course in Ometepe, Nicaragua, where she studied mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata). Thesis: Adult Male Immature Relationships and Stress in Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta)

  Amanda Rowe, BS Environmental & Organismal Biology, Fort Lewis College Faculty advisor: Dr. Lixing Sun Research interests: Amanda is a former employee of the Colorado Plateau Museum of Arthropod Diversity and intern of Out of Africa Wildlife Park where she worked closely with marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta). Her thesis research focused on collective decision-making behavior in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). Amanda's field research was funded by the National Science Foundation East Asia Pacific Summer Institute for U.S. graduate students. Thesis: Collective Decision-Making in Tibetan Macaques: How Followers Affect the Rules and Efficiency of Group Movement / 2017

  Alexandra Sheldon, BA Anthropology with Honors, University of Central Florida; BA Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Environment, University of Oklahoma Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Allie lived in Nanjing, China working as an English teacher, studied behavior in mantled howler monkeys in Nicaragua and saddle-back tamarins in Peru, and lived in The Gambia at the Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Project where she was in charge of the environmental education programs. Thesis: Family Dynamics in Four Species of Captive Gibbons at the Gibbon Conservation Center / 2017

  Lily Stolar, BA Anthropology, minors in French and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Lily was an intern at the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, AZ where she worked with gibbons (Hylobates lar) and black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata). She also participated in a primate field studies program in Rwanda, where she studied 10 local species of primates in the wild, including mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) and chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Thesis: Response of Three Monkeys to Caregiver Use of Species-Specific Behavior / 2018

• 2014 Cohort
  
  

  Krista (Kris) Banda, BA Anthropology & Psychology, Emory University Faculty advisor: Dr. Gabrielle Stryker Research interests: She arrived at her interest in primate parasite ecology through a circuitous path that started by working in a neuroscience lab to being a primate intern to working in a Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International lab. Her research in Peru focused on the intestinal parasites of saddleback (Saguinus fuscicollis) and emperor tamarins (S. imperator). Thesis: The Seasonality and Parasite and Prevalence of the Weddelli’s Saddleback Tamarin (Leontocebus Weddelli)

  Allison Farley, BA Environmental Science, minor in Biology, Sonoma State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: She previously interned in the Bay Area monitoring populations of endemic endangered species. While at Central she volunteered at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Thesis: Comparison of chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) behavior on tour and non-tour days at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest / 2016

  Ruth Linsky Faculty advisors: Dr. Joseph Lorenz & Dr. Steve Wagner Thesis: A Novel SNP Genotyping Technique to Determine Orangutan Relatedness, Kinship, and Genetic Diversity at Camp Leakey in Tanjunf Puting, Central Kalimantan / 2019

  Brianna Schnepel, BA Anthropology, San Diego State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Brianna has previously worked with white-faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus) and mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) while attending a field school in Costa Rica. As an undergraduate, she also looked at interactions between bonobos (Pan paniscus) and human visitors at the San Diego Zoo while assisting a graduate student from San Diego State University. Her thesis research focused on the effects that human food had on the social interactions and behavior of Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) living at a tourist site at Mt. Huangshan, China. Brianna's fieldwork was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Her faculty advisor was Dr. Lori Sheeran. Thesis: Provisioning and its effects on the social interactions of Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2016

  Holly Soubiea, BA Psychology, minor in Biology, Holy Names University Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Holly has previously been an Animal Care Intern at the Oakland Zoo, where she worked with chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas), and gibbons (Hylobates lar). She was a volunteer at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest while at Central. Her thesis research focused on chimpanzees' use of their enclosures at Fauna Foundation. Thesis: Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Space Use in a Sanctuary Setting / 2017

  Emily Veitia, BA Sociology/Anthropology, minor in Geography, Florida International University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: She previously volunteered at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest and currently volunteers at the Mimulus Guttatus lab with Dr. Alison Scoville. Emily's thesis research focused on cross-species interactions in a mixed-species ape exhibit at the Oregon Zoo. Thesis: The effect of enrichment types in a mixed-species enclosure of Sumatran (Pongo abelii) & Bornean Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and Northern White-Cheeked Gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys) / 2017

  Kaitlin Wright, BA Biological Anthropology, minor in Biology, University of San Diego Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Kaitlin has worked with Orangutan Foundation International in Kalimantan, Indonesia and the Pacific Primate Sanctuary on Maui, Hawaii. Her thesis research was conducted at the Valley of the Wild Monkey in Mt. Huangshan, China and focused on the rate of play signals in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) during juvenile play bouts. Kaitlin's fieldwork was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Thesis: Play in Immature Tibetan Macaques (Macaca thibetana): Location, Use of Play Signals, and Play Bout Termination at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2016

• 2013 Cohort

  Gregory Fratellone, BS Biology, minor in Psychology, Northeastern University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lixing Sun Research interests: Greg previously conducted research on western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) at the Franklin Park Zoo, focusing on infant development and personality, and has volunteered in Belize at the Belize Zoo and Wildtracks rehabilitation center with Geoffroy's spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) and Yucatan black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra). His thesis research was conducted at the Valley of the wild Monkeys in Mt. Huangshan, China, examining the collective movements of Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) and analyzing collective decision-making, leader/follower dynamics and social networks. Thesis: Female Social Connectivity Through the Leadership and Movement Progression of Tibetan Macaques at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2015

  Melanie Bell, BA Anthropology, BS Primate Behavior & Ecology, Central Washington University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Melanie is a former intern at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute (CHCI). Her thesis research was performed at the Gibbon Conservation Center in southern California looking at the non-vocal communication of Javan Gibbons (Hylobates moloch). Thesis: Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch) Non-Vocal Social Communication and Gesture Use with Conspecifics / 2015

  Whitney Emge, BA Psychology, University of Puget Sound Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Whitney was an apprentice at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication institute (CHCI) and intern at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Her thesis research was conducted at Fauna Foundation in Carignan, Quebec, looking at the effects of operant training sessions and unstructured interactions between chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and their caregivers. Thesis: A Comparison of Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Response to Caregiver Use of Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) and Species-Specific Behaviors (SSB) / 2015

  Katherine McDonald, BA Psychology & Biological Sciences, Wellesley College Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Katie previously worked with tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) at Yale University, examining helping behavior between conspecifics. She was an apprentice at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute (CHCI) and intern at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. Katie is interested in primate cognition, primate prosocial behavior, and captive primate welfare. Thesis: Captive Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Nighttime Enrichment Use and Preferences / 2016

  Alexandra Casti, BFA Painting, minor in Art History, Pratt Institute Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Sandra was an apprentice at the Chimpanzee and Human Communication Institute (CHCI) and intern/volunteer caregiver at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest. She is passionate about personhood rights for nonhuman animals and interested in cognitive development, creative expression, and language evolution. She analyzed a series of chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) drawings from the CHCI archive for her thesis. Thesis: Reaction to Stimulus Figures in Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Drawings / 2016

  Benjamin Gombash, BS Wildlife Sciences & Anthropology, The Ohio State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Joseph Lorenz Research interests: Ben is interested in primate conservation and vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops). His research concerned Hepatocystis and how genes might confer resistance to it. Thesis: Analysis of FY Promoter and Hepatocystis Load in South African Vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) / 2016

  Anne Salow Faculty Advisor: Dr. Steve Wagner Thesis: Sexual Behavior of Immature Tibetan Macaques (Macaca thibetana) / 2015

• 2012 Cohort
  
  

  Amanda Carner Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Thesis: Gesture Sequence in Captive Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) / 2014

  Tony Carr Faculty Advisor: Dr. Marte Fallshore Thesis: Empathy: A Possible Link Between Charismatic Megafauna and Environmental Concern / 2014

  Ricardo Fernandes, BS Animal & Veterinary Science, minor in Biology & Theatre Arts, University of Rhode Island Faculty advisor: Dr. Joseph Lorenz Research interests: Ricardo is a licensed veterinary technician and specializes in emergency and critical care medicine. His areas of interest include primate communication, primate physiology of locomotion, infant/mother interactions and parental care. In addition, Ricardo is interested in the welfare of captive primates. He analyzed fecal samples to look at population genetics of white faced saki monkeys (Pithecia pithecia) in South America. Thesis: Sex differences in glycosylated hemoglobin in Mauritian origin long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) / 2019

  Erika Jackson Price,  BA Neuroscience, minor in Jazz Music, University of Southern California Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Erika's primary interests are the behaviors of free-ranging primates, psychology, and music. She recorded, cataloged, and analyzed the vocalizations of Tibetan macaques at Mt. Huangshan, China. Thesis: Vocalizations of Tibetan Macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2014

  Savannah Schulze Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Thesis: The Directed Scratch Gesture: A Referential Gesture in Chimpanzees / 2014 Jensvold ML; Wilding L; Schulze SM. 2014. Signs of communication in chimpanzees. G. Witzany (Ed.) Biocommunication of Animals (pp. 7-19). Dordrecht: Springer.

  RyAnn Stafford Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold

  Asa Staven, BS Fish & Wildlife Management, minor in Entomology, Montana State University Thesis advisor: Dr. Steven Wagner Research interests: Asa had a Teaching Assistantship from the Biology Department and studied the behaviors of juvenile Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). Thesis: Interactions Between Tourists and Juvenile Tibetan Macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2014

  Kaeley Sullins Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Thesis: Effect of Group Size on the Activity Budget of Two Captive Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) / 2019

  Natasha Zientek, BA Anthropology, The Ohio State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Natasha studied community-based primate conservation focused on Tibetan macaques at Mt. Huangshan, China. Thesis: Impacts of Behavioral Education on Actions and Conservation Attitudes of Tourists at the Valley of the Wild Monkeys, Mt. Huangshan, China / 2014

• 2011 Cohort
  
  

  Alexander DuVall-Lash, BS Evolutionary Anthropology, University of Michigan Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Alexander studied the impact of tourism on stress-indicating behaviors in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China. Thesis: Effect on human noise on stress-indicating behaviors of Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2013

  Jennifer Humphreys, BA Anthropology emphasis on Biological Anthropology, Humboldt State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Joseph Lorenz Jennifer studied conservation population genetics, comparative skeletal anatomy, behavioral ecology, and ethnoprimatology. Thesis: DNA from Chewed Seeds: A Non-Invasive Collection Strategy for Saguinus midas / 2014

  Susie Keenan, BS Psychology, Rochester Institute of Technology Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Susie worked at the Chimpanzee Human Communication Institute and is interested in gestural communication and American Sign Language.

  Meg Mas, BS in Primate Behavior, BA Psychology, Central Washington University Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Meg worked at the Chimpanzee Human Communication Institute and is interested in imaginary play in nonhuman primates.

  Alex Pritchard, BS Biology, University of New South Wales Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Alex is primarily interested in the social behaviors and social interactions of all primates, but also in bolstering their protection, preservation, and recognition. Thesis: Discriminating Behaviors to Measure Personality Traits in Free-Ranging Tibetan Macaques (Macaca thibetana) / 2013

  Leah Usui, BS Evolution & Ecology and Anthropology, The Ohio State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Leah is interested in the effect of site management styles and ecotourism impact on Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China. Thesis: Behaviors of park rangers and their effects on Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2013  Usui R, Sheeran Lk, Li JH, Sun L, Wang X, Pritchard AJ, DuVall-Lash AS, Wagner RS. 2014. Park rangers' behaviors and their effects on tourists and Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China. Animals 4:546-561, doi: 10.3390/ani4030546.

  Lisa Wilding, BA Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Lisa worked at the Chimpanzee Human Communication Institute and is interested in gorilla communication. Thesis: Gorilla Life-Stage Comparison of Head Orientation / 2017  Jensvold Ml; Wilding L; Schulze SM. 2014. Signs of communication in chimpanzees. G. Witzany (Ed.), Biocommunication of Animals (pp. 7-19). Dordrecht: Springer.

• 2010 Cohort
  
  

  Briana Bauer, BA Spanish, University of Notre Dame Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interest: Briana studied bridging behaviors and adult male-adult female affiliative relationships in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at the Valley of the Wild Monkeys in Mt. Huangshan, China. During her time at CWU, she finished internships at the Woodland Park, Toledo, and Roger Williams Park zoos. Thesis: Male Tibetan Macaque (Macaca thibetana) Choice of Infant Bridging and Female Affiliation Partners / 2012 Bauer B; Sheeran LK; Matheson MD; Li JH; Wagner RS. 2014. Choice of infant bridging and female affiliation partners by male Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana). Zoological Research 35(3):222-230.

  Sofia Bernstein, BA Psychology emphasis in Applied Behavioral Analysis, University of North Texas. Faculty advisors: Dr. Lori Sheeran & Dr. Steve Wagner Research interest: Sofi studied sexual coercion and mate choice in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at the Valley of the Wild Monkeys in Mt. Huangshan, China. Thesis: Sexual Coercion and Mate Choice Tactics in Tibetan Macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2012

  Laura Burwell, BS Wildlife and Wildlands Conservation, Brigham Young University Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interest: Laura studied competition for provisioned foods in a group of Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China. Thesis: The Effectiveness of Scattering Corn as a Management Technique for Macaca thibetana at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2013

  Amanda Davis, BS Anthropology & Liberal Studies, Portland State University Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interest: Amanda studied the effects of conversational partner familiarity in deaf humans. Thesis: Effects of Conversational Partner Familiarity in Deaf Humans (Homo sapiens) / 2012

  Erica Dunayer, BS Animal Behavior, Bucknell University Faculty advisor: Dr. Megan Matheson Research interest: Erica studied how tourism affects the grooming for tolerance trade in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) from a biological markets perspective at Mt. Huangshan, China.  Thesis: Tourism as a Market Force for Grooming Interchange and Reciprocity in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2012

  Laura Heggs, BA Psychology, minor in Anthropology/Sociology, Knox College Faculty advisor: Dr. Megan Matheson Research interest: Laura studied the effect a novel outdoor environment had on captive chimpanzees at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest in Cle Elum, Washington.  Thesis: The Effect of a Novel Outdoor Environment on the Behavior of Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in a Sanctuary Setting / 2012

  Allie Kibler-Campbell, BA Psychology, minor in English, College of Wooster Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interest: Allie studied the ability to infer causality through various tool-use tasks (including stick tools and rock tools) in a colony of captive capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) in Wooster, Ohio. Thesis: Causal Inference Examined in Cebus apella through a Hammer-and-Anvil Task / 2012

  Austin Leeds, BS Biology, BS Primate Behavior & Ecology, Central Washington University Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interest: Austin studied language use of the cross-fostered chimpanzees at the Chimpanzee Human Communication Institute. Thesis: The Communicative Functions of Five Signing Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) / 2012 Leeds CA; Jensvold ML. 2013. The communicative functions of five signing chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Pragmatics & Cognition, 21(1):224-247

  Julie Reveles, BS Anthropology and Primate Behavior & Ecology, Central Washington University Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interest: Julie studied visitor effects on captive chimpanzees at the Chimpanzee Human Communication Institute. Thesis: Assessing the Reliability of a Written Data Collection Method: Sign Logs / 2014

  Noah Simons, BA Biological Anthropology, University of Iowa Faculty advisors: Dr. Steve Wagner & Dr. Joseph Lorenz Research interest: Noah studied levels of genetic diversity between captive and wild populations of western lowland gorillas. Thesis: Genetic diversity in captive-born gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) / 2012 Simons ND; Wagner RS; Lorenz JG. 2013. Genetic diversity of North American captive-born gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla). Ecology and Evolution, 3(1):80-88.

  Hilaree Sorenson, BA International Studies, Pepperdine University Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Hilaree designed and implemented an environmental enrichment protocol for captive baboons at the Centre for Animal Rehabilitation & Education (C.A.R.E.) in Phalaborwa, South Africa.

• 2009 Cohort
  
  

  Daniella Bismanovsky, BS Experimental Psychology, Saint Mary's College of California Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interest: Daniella's thesis examined the effect of visitors' behaviors on the chimpanzees' behaviors at the Oakland Zoo in California. Thesis: Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Responses to Visitors Using Chimpanzee-Friendly Behaviors / 2012

  Tracy Campion, BA Social Sciences, minor in Anthropology, University of Washington Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interest: Tracy examined gesture modality in relation to the attentional state in chimpanzees at Gombe in Tanzania, Africa.  Thesis: Use of Gesture Sequences in Free-Living Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) Play in Gombe National Park, Tanzania / 2012 Campion TL; Jensvold ML; Larsen G. 2011. Use of gesture sequences in free-living chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in Gombe National Park, Tanzania. American Journal of Primatology,73(S1): 97

  Grace Enlow, BA Anthropology & Study of Religion, University of California, San Diego Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interest: Grace studied vocalizations and pair-bond strength in wild, white-bearded gibbons (Hylobates agilis albiarbis) in Central Kalimantan, Borneo. Thesis: Singing, Behavioral Synchrony, and Proximity in Bornean Agile Gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) / 2011

  Rebecca Hendershott, BS Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Santa Cruz Faculty advisor: Dr. Megan Matheson Research interest: Rebecca studied the sociosexual behaviors of Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at the Valley of the Wild Monkeys in Mt. Huangshan, China. Thesis: Socio-sexual Behavior in Tibetan Macaques (Macaca thibetana) / 2011

  Julie Wescliff, BA Psychology, University of Louisville Faculty advisor: Dr. Megan Matheson Research interest: Julie studied the impact of proximity on behavior in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China. Thesis: How Close is Too Close? Spatial Proximity Dynamics of Macaca thibetana / 2012

  Sandra Winters, BS Psychology & Anthropology, University of Maryland at College Park Faculty advisor: Dr. Megan Matheson Research interest: Sandra studied recruitment behavior in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China, for evidence of triadic awareness. Thesis: Social Recruitment in Tibetan Macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2011

• 2008 Cohort

  John Rinear, BA Anthropology, BS Primate Behavior & Ecology, Central Washington University. Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: John studied the sleeping site preferences of wild white-bearded gibbons (Hylobates agilis albiarbis). Thesis: Sleeping Tree Preference in Bornean Agile Gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) / 2014 Cheyne SM, Hoing A, Rinear J, Sheeran LK. 2012. Sleeping site selection by agile gibbons: The influence of tree stability, fruit availability and predation risk. Folia Primatologica, 83:299-311, DOI: 10.1159/000342145.

  Sydney Self, BS Anthropology, BS Primate Behavior & Ecology, Central Washington University. Faculty advisor: Dr. Lori Sheeran Research interests: Sydney studied infant-directed aggression in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Valley of the Wild Monkeys in Mt. Huangshan, China. Thesis: Tourist Density and Infant-Directed Aggression in Macaca thibetana at Mt. Huangshan, China / 2010 Self S; Sheeran LK; Matheson MD; Li JH; Pelton O; Harding S; Wagner RS. 2013. Tourism and infant-directed aggression in Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana) at Mt. Huangshan, China. Anthrozoös, 26(3):435-444.

  Lindsay Zager  Faculty advisor: Dr. Mary Lee Jensvold Research interests: Lindsay studied visitor effects in zoo-living chimpanzees. Thesis: An Experiment in Zoo Visitor Education: Encouraging Friendly Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) Behaviors / 2011 Jensvold ML; Zager L; Bismanovsky D. 2013. Promoting nonhuman animal welfare: interactions with caregivers and zoo visitors. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 16: 384-385.