ABOUT
As a formally trained conservationist and behavioural biologist my research interests bridge ideas from both these disciplines. I'm currently completing my PhD with Dr. Susan Alberts in the Department of Biology at Duke University. One of my primary research interests is understanding why sociality evolves, and how social behaviours help animals to navigate environmental challenges. To answer these questions, I leverage individual, group, and species -level data on wild animal populations to determine how the social and physical environments interact in their effects on fitness-related outcomes at various evolutionary scales.
In 2021 I received my MSc from McGill under the supervision of Dr. Simon Reader and in collaboration with Dr. Arne Mooers (Simon Fraser University). My research at McGill explored how behavioural factors drive species diversification across primate taxa. I also looked at how species diversity is influenced by trends in taxonomy, and the implications this may pose for applied primate conservation. Prior to graduate school, I received my BSc in environmental science with a minor in biology from Carleton University. While completing my degree, I worked on a number of applied research projects with themes in conservation and evolutionary biology including some work with the Canadian Species At Risk Act (SARA).
More details on my research experience and interests are detailed in my CV.
Photo by Raina Fan https://www.rainafan.com/