People
Lab Director
Ivan Chase
I am a researcher and science writer, and Professor Emeritus in Sociology and the Graduate Program in Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University. I have published articles in scientific journals and popular magazines including Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Annual Review of Sociology, and Scientific American. The Society for Mathematical Biology awarded Brent Lindquist and me the Lee Segel Prize for our paper published in the Bulletin of Mathematical Biology in 2009. With my colleagues and students, I observe animals in their natural habitats, carry out experiments in the lab, and develop mathematical models and computer simulations. Currently, we are analyzing data on dominance hierarchy formation in groups of four cichlid fish to test ideas that I first developed using chickens. This summer we will investigate the statistical distribution of shell size in the hermit crab Pagurus longicarpus to determine whether it resembles the distribution of wealth in humans. I founded and direct the Laboratory for the Study of Social Organization.
Research Assistants
Moez Ahmed
Moez is a fourth year sociology major with a biology minor. He plans to go to medical school and is interested in specializing in oncology. In his free time Moez enjoys playing basketball.
Frank Fodera
Frank studied biology at Stony Brook, with a concentration in embryonic development and developmental genetics. He has always been attracted to the idea of experimentation and research, specifically with the theory of how best to design an experimental model. He is currently applying to P.A. school and hopes to merge research into his career as a health care professional.
Abigail Higgins
Abby is a Senior from Upstate NY studying biology with a concentration in environmental biology. She hopes to one day go on to grad school to get her PhD in ecology and evolution. Abby is also involved with the Sierra Club at Stony Brook and in her free time she enjoys hiking and reading.
Chun Maung
Chun is currently a senior at Stony Brook University majoring in Computer Science and minoring in Chemistry. Although he loves programming and working with new technologies, his passion lies in using these skills in a medical speciality. His hobbies include sports, games, traveling, and light photography.
Eva Muchnick
Eva is a fourth year interdisciplinary biology major. She aspires to attend veterinary school and would like to specialize in the care of large and exotic animals. Eva enjoys spending time with her horse, dogs, and rabbit.
Derek Ng
Derek is a fourth year biochemistry major with an interest in ecology and evolution as well as medicine. On campus, he is a member of the handball team. In his free time he enjoys traveling and outdoor sports.
Ahsan Qureshi
Ahsan is a Computer Science major in his fourth year. He is determined to find a job as a software engineer. His hobbies include playing sports and learning how to play the guitar.
Devyani Ramgobin
Devy is a recently graduated Biology and Anthropology double major who is interested in attending medical school. She is an instructor for SAT II Biology and Chemistry and in her free time, she enjoys hiking and exploring nature trails.
Niven Singh
Niven is a third year student double majoring in Biology with a concentration in Neuroscience and Applied Math and Statistics. On campus, he is a member of a dance team and a cultural club. He aspires to go to medical school to become a surgeon. Niven likes to play ping pong and tennis.