About Me
I am a behavioral ecologist and conservation biologist whose work sits at the intersection of cutting-edge research and on-the-ground impact for great apes, especially chimpanzees. My scientific journey has taken me to the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Harvard University, and the University of St Andrews—where I have developed expertise in evolutionary ecology, physiological adaptation, and the remarkable behavioral diversity within the genus Pan.
At the heart of my research is a commitment to producing rigorous science that not only expands our fundamental understanding of animal behavior and evolution, but also shapes how we approach real-world conservation challenges. My work interrogates long-held assumptions about adaptation and flexibility in chimpanzees, using methodologies that span disciplines, including endocrinology, stable isotopes, and field-based behavioral observation. I am deeply invested in demonstrating how the study of charismatic species such as apes can both inform core theories in behavioral ecology and catalyze high-impact conservation interventions.
I believe that effective and durable conservation requires inclusive collaboration and equitable leadership. As the co-director of two major research and conservation projects in Africa, I am leveraging these platforms to empower and elevate under-resourced colleagues, especially women scientists and conservationists from West Africa. I have initiated regional grant programs to support women’s access to leadership roles in conservation, and I prioritize mentorship and capacity-building for the next generation of African scientists. Through my advisory roles with organizations such as the IUCN Species Survival Commission and the UNEP Convention on Migratory Species, I work to ensure that the best available science is translated into actionable, evidence-based policy.
My values as a scientist are rooted in curiosity, integrity, and a responsibility to contribute to solutions that extend beyond academia. Whether leading rigorous research, designing conservation strategies, or advocating for greater equity in science, I am driven by the goal of creating pathways for knowledge and opportunity that are as inclusive and diverse as the ecosystems and species I study.
CV Highlights
Current Positions
Research Scientist, Deutsches Primatenzentrum (German Primate Center), Göttingen, Germany
Coordinator, Western Chimpanzee Conservation Regional Alliance (WCAP), IUCN SSC PSG Section on Great Apes
Affiliate positions at Harvard University, University of St Andrews, and the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research
Previous Experience
Academic positions at the University of St. Andrews, Harvard University, and Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
Ph.D. in Biology, University of Leipzig & Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Germany (2018). Thesis: Challenging the notion of chimpanzees as a strictly forest-adapted species: biomarker variation of chimpanzees on the edge.
Additional secondary degrees or certificates in ecology, anthropology, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
Selected Highlights
Published 42 articles in leading peer-reviewed journals, with over 1800 citations to date (as of August 2025). See my Publications page for more details.
Effective fundraiser, securing 14 competitive research grants as PI for both academic and conservation ends. In total, I have secured over 1.6 million USD as PI, and have led the acquisition of an additional 700,000 USD from 7 grants as co-PI.
Recognized science communicator: To date I have given more than 35 invited talks including two plenaries, across universities and conservation platforms spanning three continents, at institutions ranging from universities such as Oxford, Duke, and Exeter, to research institutes such as the MPI for Animal Behavior and the Musee de l’Homme (Paris). My work is regularly featured in major news outlets including The New York Times, NPR, Science Magazine, The Atlantic, and more.
Dedicated leader and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, I serve as a member of multiple Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion groups, and have actively developed and led courses and scholarship programs specifically supporting African nationals; I prioritize opportunities to collaborate with African researchers whenever possible, and ensure that meaningful participation by African nationals is central to all aspects of my scientific work.
Experienced educator and mentor supervising 11 students (past and present), teaching university-level courses and workshops in primate behavioral ecology, analyses, and field-based methodologies, delivering guest lectures internationally, and contributing to outreach and public education initiatives.
