Evolution of social behavior in vervet monkeysAs a field assistant, I collected both group- and individual-level behavioral data on three groups of vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus pygerythrus), as well as habituating new study groups. I also performed field experiments including food provisioning, audio playbacks, and predator exposures to investigate social learning, third-party rank knowledge, and group-level cooperation.
Inkawu Vervet Project, Université de Lausanne |
Ecology and conservation of right whalesAs a research assistant, I performed systematic, boat-based surveys documenting the demography and behavior of highly endangered North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis) in the Bay of Fundy. I also performed aerial surveys of marine life off the Massachusetts coast, and managed the sightings database and government reporting of this ecological data.
Right Whale Research Project, New England Aquarium |
Endocrine disrupting chemicals17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE2) is a synthetic estrogen in oral contraceptive pills that is excreted by humans into sewage systems and eventually transported into aquatic ecosystems. I tested the effects of two environmentally relevant concentrations of EE2 exposure, 10 ng/L and 100 ng/L, on reproductive endpoints in the teleost fish Betta splendens, including gonadosomatic index, sperm count, sperm motility, sperm ATP content, nest building behavior, and fertilization success (Montgomery et al. 2014).
Clotfelter Lab, Amherst College |