Education
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2005-2011
2001-2004 1997-2001 |
Ph.D. magna cum laude, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA), Dept of Primatology & University of Leipzig, Faculty of Biosciences, Leipzig, Germany
Thesis: Genetic estimation of population size and group dynamics in wild-living western gorillas and central chimpanzees. (Supervisors: Drs. L. Vigilant & C. Boesch) M.Sc., Department of Zoology (Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology Stream). University of Toronto, Canada Thesis: A gain-of-function analysis of traffic jam, a transcription factor expressed in Drosophila and mouse gonads (Supervisor: Dr. D. Godt.) Honours B.Sc. with High Distinction, University of Toronto, Canada Specialist Program: Zoology; Minor Programs: Biological Anthropology & French |
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Work & Volunteer Experience
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2018-present
2012-2018 2017-2020 2015-present |
Co-director of the Pan African Programme: The Cultured Chimpanzee (PanAf), Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Collaboration with an international network of 100+ researchers in diverse fields relating to animal ecology evolution and conservation. Oversee the management, sharing and use of the PanAf data set, the largest-ever collected data set on chimpanzee habitats from 40 temporary chimpanzee research sites across sub Saharan Africa.
Program Coordinator/Scientist Pan African Programme: The Cultured Chimpanzee, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology Establish temporary research sites and collaborative agreements with existing field sites, budgeting, grant writing, training of site managers, organization of workshops, oversight of field data collection, regular communication with field staff and collaborators across sub-Saharan Africa, public outreach and media relations. Lead researcher of the PanAf genetics project and PanAf genomics project. Lead researcher of the on-line citizen science camera trap analysis platform ChimpandSee.org. Board of Directors, Cytophage Board member for biotech start-up Cytophage Technologies Inc. (Winnipeg, Manitoba) focusing on bacteriophage technology to combat the antibiotic resistance crisis Freelance Conservation Consultant Conducting genetic surveys for establishing population sizes of apes, designing field data collection protocols for ape surveys and evaluating primate survey results for resource extraction companies and sub-contracted by conservation consultancies. |
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2011-2012
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Post-Doctoral Research fellow, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Extraction and microsatellite amplification of DNA from primate feces. Estimation of population size, kinship and population histories from microsatellite genotypes of savannah baboons and cross river gorillas. Supervision & training of undergraduate and graduate students in the laboratory. Dr. Linda Vigilant, MPI-EVA |
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2006
2006-present 2005-2019 2001 |
Research assistant, Taï Chimpanzee Project, Taï National Park, Côte d’Ivoire.
Nest to nest daily follows of habituated chimpanzees for fecal sample collection DNApes blog, founder. Popular science and conservation blog: dnapes.blogspot.com Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology (MPI-EVA) Conservation Group, founder. Projects have included: sustainable logging guideline development for Côte d’Ivoire, guideline development for bonobo reintroduction in DR-Congo, development of the conservation education program, Club P.A.N. in Côte d’Ivoire (clubpan.blogspot.com), Africa-wide poster campaign for orphan apes in the pet trade. Laboratory assistant, Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Canada Designing and implementing experiments in Drosophila and Mus (breeding protocols, molecular analyses, antibody stainings, confocal microscopy), fly stock and laboratory maintenance. Dr. Dorothea Godt University of Toronto. |
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1997-2004
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Veterinary assistant, Bayview and Wychwood Animal Hospitals
Companion animal restraint for treatment, X-ray development, urine & feacal analyses, preparation of vaccines, administration of medications, setting up surgical area, prepping and monitoring animals during surgery, cleaning, feeding, bathing and walking of pets, maintenance of sanitary clinic and cages, administrative and retail Dr. M. Heffernan (1999-2004), Dr. M. Levine (‘98-‘99) & Dr. N. Cooper (‘97-‘98) |
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1999-2004
1998-1999 1999 |
Supervisor of Ontario division of GAP: the Great Ape Project
Animal Care Volunteer, Wildcare Wildlife Rehabilitation Institute Toronto Zoo Externship - Animal Care division. |
Teaching & Supervisory Experience
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Feb 2019
2016-present 2006-present Sept 2018 2013-2015 May 2013 Dec 2012 Nov 2012 May 2012 April 2012 Sept 2010 Sept 2009 Sept 2006 2005 & 2007 2002 & 2003 |
Guest Lecturer, ENVIRON 703: Conservation Biology: Theory and Practice, Duke University
Supervisor, Jack Lester, PhD candidate "population and conservation genetics of wild chimpanzees" Co-supervisor (with L. Vigilant) of undergraduate and graduate students Lecturer, Max Planck Day, MPI-EVA Coordinator & Lecturer, Pan African great ape population surveillance workshops Guest Lecturer, Master of Science - Module 11-BIO-0804 - Behavioral ecology in primates SS13 Lecturer, Molecular Ecology, International Max Planck Research School-Leipzig School of Human Origins Guest Lecturer, Pan African great ape population surveillance November workshop Guest Lecturer, Pan African great ape population surveillance May workshop Guest Lecturer, Master of Science - Module 11-BIO-0804 - Behavioral ecology in primates SS12, University of Leipzig Lecturer, Conservation Biology & Introduction to field research, International Max Planck Research School-Leipzig School of Human Origins Lecturer, Conservation Biology, International Max Planck Research School-Leipzig School of Human Origins Guest Lecturer, Gorilla population genetics, International Max Planck Research School-Leipzig School of Human Origins Kampus-Tag presenter, Presentations to the Leipzig public about the research at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology Teaching Assistant, Genetics, University of Toronto, Canada |