Ian Hamilton

Ian Hamilton is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics and affiliated with the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at The Ohio State University. His research integrates behavioral ecology, mathematical modeling, and evolutionary biology to study social dynamics, cooperation, and decision-making in animals and human systems. He holds a PhD in Biology from Simon Fraser University (2002).

Education:

• PhD: Simon Fraser University - Biology (2002)

Research Interests:

His work focuses on behavioral ecology, particularly the evolution of cooperative behavior, coerced cooperation, and the use of mathematical models to understand social networks, habitat selection, and resource management. Notably, he studies cichlid fish social systems, floodplain ecosystems in Cameroon, and pastoral mobility patterns. His lab explores how individual behaviors shape group dynamics, conflict resolution, and environmental adaptation.

Publications Trends:

Recent work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, including agent-based modeling of pastoral systems, hormonal mechanisms in social behavior, and network dynamics in animal groups. His research bridges theoretical and applied questions, with applications to conservation and human-environment interactions.

Advising & Grants:

Hamilton has advised numerous graduate students and postdocs, focusing on topics like animal behavior, ecological modeling, and social systems. His grants include studies on vampire bat social networks and floodplain sustainability in Africa.

Labs/Teams:

Hamilton leads the Hamilton Lab at OSU, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to address questions in behavioral ecology and applied mathematics.