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 We use quantitative modeling to investigate issues that fall into four broad areas of in
primate ecology and evolution: disease, socioecology, evolutionary genetics, and biomonitoring.
We address questions at multiple levels of organization, from strategies of individuals and social groups,
to population and speciation dynamics. Our modeling efforts tend to be data-based and employ a variety of
modeling tools including generalized linear modeling (GLM), individual-based simulation models, phylogenetic
analyses, and remote sensing.
Current Projects Include:
Disease:
- Environmental effects on mortality rates in Taï chimpanzee
- Spatial and phylogenetic analysis of Ebola spread
- Individual-based modeling of gorilla social structure and disease dynamics
- Comparative analysis of primate social structure and disease prevalence
Socio-ecology:
- Effects of food distribution on gorilla energetics and ranging
- Ontogeny of social learning in chimpanzees
- Mixed model inference of the link between sexual swelling and hormonal states
- The role of disease in primate social and mating systems
- The inter-relationship among individual, group and population dynamics.
Evolutionary Genetics:
- Statistical and simulation modeling of mating systems & genetic structure
- Phylogenetic analysis of chimpanzee and gorilla speciation
- Simulation models of genetic structure in heterogeneous habitats
Biomonitoring:
- Development of field protocols and statistical methods
- Remote sensing analysis of ape habitat
- Design and implementation of Park survey and monitoring programs:
Taï, Gamba, Ndoki, Salonga, & Bwindi
- National and region-wide analysis of ape distribution and population trends
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