About
Chris Templeton is an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at Western Washington University. His research focuses on animal communication, cognition, and behavior, using birds as primary models. He investigates how anthropogenic noise impacts communication and cognitive processing in birds, and explores duetting behaviors in tropical wrens. His lab emphasizes collaborative, inclusive research opportunities for students at all levels.
Key research themes include anti-predator communication networks in chickadees, the ecological effects of noise pollution, and the evolution of vocal coordination in duetting species. He has published extensively in journals like Current Biology, Proceedings of the Royal Society B, and Animal Behaviour. Templeton teaches courses in Ecology, Animal Behavior, and Evolution at Western Washington University. His lab has mentored numerous undergraduates and PhD students, many of whom have pursued postdoctoral or academic careers globally.
