Like many others, my first interest in Jane Goodall and the Gombe
chimpanzees came from watching National Geographic specials and
reading books. In college I gained more scientific exposure to
and appreciation for primates. Although the focus of my Bachelor
of Science degree in Anthropology at Minnesota State University
- Mankato was Cultural Anthropology and Archaeology, I continued
my interests in Biological Anthropology as well. Upon attending
the 1996 Nobel Conference at Gustavus Adolphus College, "Apes
at the End of the Age," I was introduced to The Jane Goodall Institute's
Center for Primate Studies, where I began work as the Center's
Research Administrator.
I have assisted with many research projects, including provisioning,
ranging patterns, group-size, conception cycles, mating, stranger
sightings and encounters, dominance hierarchies, infanticide,
health, and mother-infant relations. Currently, I am using the
long-term behavioral data to compile mating records for over
a 20-year period to determine mating patterns of individual
males and females and to learn more about inbreeding avoidance.
My other responsibilities include preserving, organizing,
and digitizing 40+ years of chimpanzee behavioral data, working
with students and volunteers, managing databases, conducting
data verification, maintaining regular correspondence with field
researchers in Gombe, and collaborating with other organizations
within and outside the University of Minnesota.
Here are some relevant links:
African Ape Study Sites: Ecological and demographic data,
maps, photographs, and research bibliographies for chimpanzee,
gorilla, and bonobo field research study sites.
Minnesota
State University-Mankato E-Museum: One of the largest and
most highly awarded anthropological websites.
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