معرفی
Dr. Chelsea Cook is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Marquette University. Her research focuses on understanding social behavior through a holistic lens, integrating neurobiology, behavioral genetics, and ecological context. She uses honey bees as a model system to study collective behaviors like thermoregulation and foraging, as well as the effects of social isolation. Dr. Cook holds a B.S. from SUNY Cortland (2009), a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder (2016), and completed postdoctoral training at Arizona State University (2016–2020).
Key research areas include honey bee thermoregulation—specifically how group dynamics influence fanning behavior—and the physiological impacts of social isolation in bees. She employs advanced techniques like electrophysiology and microbiome analysis to explore these topics. Dr. Cook’s work is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, USDA, and NIH.
- Current Funding: NSF Integrative Organismal Systems Grant (2023–2026)
- Previous Funding: USDA SBIR Grants (2017–2020), NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship (2018–2019)
Her lab, the Cook Research Team, emphasizes inclusivity and supports graduate students including Ph.D. candidates Casey Lambert, Rachael Halby, and Justine Nguyen. The lab also develops innovative tools like mobile indoor apiary systems to extend honey bee research seasons.
Professional affiliations include the Animal Behavior Society and Entomological Society of America. Her recent publications span topics from microbiome roles in social behavior to neurotransmitter modulation of attention in honey bees.
