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Education and Research

Educational Background

I received my B.A. degree in Anthropology (concentration in Biological Anthropology) from the University of California, San Diego in 1994. I received my M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in Anthropology from the University of California, Davis in 1997 and 2002, respectively, where I worked with Dr. Lynne A. Isbell. I have been a faculty member in the Department of Anthropology at Sonoma State University since August, 2002.

Research Intrests

I am a biological anthropologist with research interests in primate behavioral ecology, including polyspecific associations, evolution of primate social systems, and anti-predator behavior. I have conducted research in Kenya, Grenada, and at CRES (Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species) at the San Diego Zoo. My dissertation research focused on the relationship between habitat structure and the habitat structure and the anti-predator behavior of patas (Erythrocebus patas) and vervet (Cercopithecus aethiops) monkeys in Laikipia, Kenya. I am interested in the strategies vervets and patas employ to escape from predators such as leopards, eagles and snakes, and how these strategies change depending on the structure of the immediate environment (e.g., tree height, canopy cover, grass density).

I have also studied alarm calling behavior in vervet and patas monkeys. Patas monkeys give "bark-grunt" and "nyow" vocalizations in response to terrestrial predators, such as leopards (video courtesy of Marcia Brown). My current research forcuses on building a captive primate database, called SSUPER, Sonoma State University Primate Ethology Research Lab. To find out more about my lab and how to get involved, please check out the SSUPER website. I work with both graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in biological anthropology (particularly primate behavior). You can find out more information about current and past student research projects at my student research page and my information page about graduate studies in biological anthropology. You can find more information about my research by looking at my publications.