Project Description
For solitary rodents, dispersal marks a major geographic and social transition away from the close social environment of the family unit. This transition from social to solitary may be promoted by reduced social tolerance for family members, and/or by unrelated factors such as increased exploration and activity. Dispersal has impacts across multiple levels of biological organization, from population genetic diversity to individual fitness. Despite the prevalence and importance of dispersal in many species, the neural mechanisms underlying the timing and initiation of this process remain poorly understood. My lab aims to investigate what changes in the behavior of Belding’s ground squirrels, colonial tuco-tucos, Eastern gray squirrels, and fox squirrels during this transition—and what neuroendocrine mechanisms underlie this transition. Broadly, this research elucidates the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying an important but understudied facet of mammalian biology by integrating laboratory neuroscience with study of behavior in naturalistic settings. Assessment of behavior in a laboratory setting allows for fine-grained analysis of the mechanisms underlying that behavior, while assessment of behavior in an animal’s complex natural environment allows a complete picture of the context in which that animal’s brain and behavior have evolved. However, few studies bridge the gap between lab-based studies of mechanism and field-based analyses of behavior. Students will be involved in tissue processing (e.g., slicing brains), literature searches, data analysis, behavioral scoring, and behavioral assays in the field.
Prerequisites
Students need to have already worked in my lab for one semester, or have already spoken to me about working in my lab in the future.
Special Comments
Project Information (subject to change)
Estimated Start Date: 6/1/2026
Estimated End Date: 7/10/2026
Estimated Project Duration: 6 weeks
Maximum Number of Students Sought: 3
Research Location: Hybrid
Travel Required? Yes (If “yes”: A subset of students will go to the field with me in July (our field site is outside of Yosemite National Park). )
Contact Information: Nikki Lee (email: nlee@wlu.edu)