Current Projects & Future Directions 

• Field Training Programs for Malagasy Master’s Students in Lemur Ecology, Behavior and Conservation at Tsinjoarivo-Ambalaomby Protected Area and Ampijoroa Field Station

The COVID-19 pandemic is having palpable consequences on lemur conservation. The unprecedented absence of international primatologists has created a funding and opportunity gap for Malagasy master’s students pursing research in the Anthropobiology and Sustainable Development Department at the University of Antananarivo. This project was created by a consortium of lemur specialists from Madagascar, Canada, and the United States. Our aim is to create two parallel Field Training Programs in Summer 2021. The intention is to provide financial assistance, logistical and scientific support, and mentoring to students in the current cohort of Malagasy master’s students at the University of Antananarivo.

Collaborators: Drs. Mitch Irwin, Brigitte Raharivololona, Andry Herman Rafalinirina, Jean-Freddy Ranaivoarisoa, Jeannot Randrianasy, Travis Steffens

• Antibiotic Resistance in Wild Lemurs: Impacts of Increasing Anthropogenic Disturbance

To determine the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in lemur microbiomes in species living in Andasibe-Mantadia National Park and surrounding region.

Collaborators: Drs. Sally Bornbusch, Kim Valenta

• Micronutrient Analyses

To examine micronutrient concentrations in sifaka food resources to determine if lactating sifakas experience mineral deficiencies during the dry season.  

• Comparative Stress Responses During Gestation, Lactation & Weaning

To investigate the role of prolactin and oxytocin hormones during different reproductive phases while continuing longitudinal data collection on cortisol stress responses.