معرفی
Jennifer Smith is an Associate Professor in the Biology Department at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's College of Arts and Sciences, where she leads the Behavioral Ecology of Social Mammals Lab. Her research program integrates evolutionary biology, animal behavior, genetics, and physiology to investigate decision-making processes in social mammals, with primary focus on California ground squirrels and carnivores.
- Joint Ph.D. in Zoology and Ecology, Evolutionary Biology & Behavior, Michigan State University
- M.S. in Integrative Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- B.A. in Biology with Environmental Science Concentration, Colby College
- Additional field studies at James Cook University (Australia) and School for Field Studies (Kenya)
Smith's research examines how natural selection and ecological conditions shape social behavior through long-term field studies combining naturalistic observations with genetic analyses, endocrine measurements, and social network statistics. Her work reveals evolutionary mechanisms behind leadership, cooperation, and inequality in mammalian societies, with significant contributions to understanding cultural conservation in animal groups.
Her publication record shows consistent high-impact output across ecological subfields, with recent emphasis on anthropogenic effects (urbanization, pandemics), social network dynamics, and cross-species comparisons of inequality. Key trends include methodological innovation in field techniques and growing integration of conservation applications.
- Celebration of Scholarship Recognition (2023, 2024)
- Penny Bernstein Distinguished Teaching Award (Animal Behavior Society, 2017)
- INSIGHT into Diversity Inspiring Program in STEM Award (2019)
- Letts-Villard Endowed Chair in Natural Sciences (2017)
- Barry Goldwater Scholarship mentorship (2024)
Smith actively mentors undergraduate and graduate researchers through the Behavioral Ecology of Social Mammals Lab, securing grants including the Vicki Lord Larson Collaborative Research Award and Diversity Mentoring Grants. Her advising philosophy emphasizes inclusive excellence, reflected in numerous student awards and publications with undergraduate co-authors. Current projects include the Long-term Study of California Ground Squirrels (since 2013) and collaborations with UC-Davis on carnivore behavior.
The lab maintains active partnerships including the Voyageurs Wolf Project (behavioral endocrinology of predator-prey interactions), Norwegian Beaver Project (climate change research), and international collaborations with researchers in Switzerland and Australia. Field sites span Briones Regional Park (California), Eau Claire natural areas (Wisconsin), and long-term datasets on spotted hyenas.
