Research Approach

While chimpanzees create and use tools, learning how to do so from one another, their material culture is far less sophisticated than ours. My research provides insights into what explains these differences in primates’ cultural complexity and innovative tendencies, which I discuss in this article.

Specifically, I am interested in studying how primates learn new skills, whether they choose to copy others and, if so, whether they are selective about when and whom to copy. To gain a comparative perspective, over my career, I have studied chimpanzees, gorillas, squirrel monkeys, rhesus macaques, Japanese macaques, and wild song birds and, wherever possible, I apply the same methodology across species.

I am passionate about applying what I discover about primate cognition to improve their care in captive settings. To measure and evaluate captive primates' welfare I have used a number of established and innovative tools from behavioral assessments to using touchscreen tasks to measure mood, and I am currently evaluating the efficacy of thermal imaging as a non-invasive measure of wellbeing. I have applied these techniques in research settings, zoos, and sanctuaries.

I provide guidance to researchers on how to leverage animals’ social learning skills to enhance husbandry, research protocols, and positive reinforcement training programs. I recently synthesized these ideas in this article.

I continually seek out opportunities for public engagement with science. I am experienced and comfortable speaking to a variety of audiences including donors, children and youth, and members of the public, as well as professional stakeholders and scientists.

Through my work I aim to create resources and programs that promote inclusion and access for program participants. I strive to offer meaningful and varied professional development opportunities for the early career researchers that I mentor. Beyond the field of primatology, I am actively engaged with local nonprofits that uplift local community members.