Karline Janmaat

Dr. Karline Janmaat is an Endowed Professor in Cognitive Behavioral Ecology at Leiden University, Faculty of Social Sciences, and also serves as a Lecturer & Researcher in Evolutionary Psychobiology at the University of Amsterdam (2 days/week; 2016–current). She leads the Foraging Cognition Group at the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior (2019–current, 2 days/week).

• Leiden University: Endowed Professor in Cognitive Behavioral Ecology (2023–current)
• University of Amsterdam: Lecturer & Researcher in Evolutionary Psychobiology (2016–current, 2 days/week)
• Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior: Group Leader, Foraging Cognition Group (2019–current, 2 days/week)

Her research focuses on the evolutionary function of cognitive diversity in primates, particularly how wild primates use cognitive strategies to locate food in unpredictable rainforest environments. She combines longitudinal behavioral observations, VR technology, and state-of-the-art modeling to study skills like episodic-like memory and flexible route planning in natural contexts.

She established the Mbendjele Foraging Project (Republic of Congo, 2015–current), ARTIS zoo cognitive facilities (Amsterdam, 2016–current), and long-term collaborations with primate research sites in Taï National Park, Kibale National Park, and Gishwati Forest Reserve (since 2001). Her work bridges wild and captive animal studies to assess mental well-being.

Email: kjanmaat@ab.mpg.de, k.r.l.janmaat@fsw.leidenuniv.nl, k.r.l.janmaat@uva.nl