Erin Vogel

Erin Vogel is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Rutgers University, affiliated with the School of Arts and Sciences. She also serves as Director of the Center for Human Evolutionary Studies and has held roles such as Graduate Program Director. Her research focuses on primate feeding ecology, particularly orangutans, examining how ecological variability influences diet, energetics, and health. Vogel leads the Tuanan Orangutan Research Project in Borneo, studying nutritional strategies and conservation challenges. She has secured major grants from NSF, Leakey Foundation, and USAID. Her work integrates field studies with lab analyses of physiological data, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches. Vogel mentors numerous graduate students and collaborates globally on primatology and conservation projects.

• Education: PhD in Ecology and Evolution from Stony Brook University (2004), B.A. in Biology from Colby College (1995)

Research interests include dietary adaptations, functional morphology, and the evolution of cooperation. Her studies bridge ecology, physiology, and anthropology, with a focus on orangutan survival in peat swamp habitats. Key findings address protein balance in primates and the impacts of environmental stressors like wildfires. Awards include the George Washington Travel Award and multiple NSF grants.

Grants and fellowships span over two decades, funding projects on orangutan energetics, conservation education, and biodiversity. Advised students include Timothy Bransford, Shauhin Alavi, and Wendy Erb. Vogel’s lab at Rutgers examines nutritional immunology and health in wild primates, supported by NIH and other agencies. Current efforts prioritize fire prevention in orangutan habitats and community-based conservation.