معرفی
Prof. Kathelijne Koops is a Professor in the Department of Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Zurich and Principal Investigator of the Ape Behaviour and Ecology (APE) Group. She holds an SNSF Eccellenza Professorship and previously served as a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Primatology at the University of Cambridge (2020–2021). Her research focuses on the evolutionary origins of ape behavior, particularly tool use and culture in chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas across Africa. She directs the CHAT Project, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), which examines ecological, social, and cognitive factors influencing tool use in African apes and humans.
Academic Background: MSc in Biology (Utrecht University, 2005), PhD in Biological Anthropology (University of Cambridge, 2011), followed by postdoctoral roles at the University of Zurich and Harvard University. She has held fellowships at Homerton College, Cambridge, and contributed to collaborative projects with institutions worldwide.
Research Interests: Tool use evolution, cross-species comparisons of cultural behavior, conservation genetics, and the ecological drivers of primate behavior. Her work integrates field studies in Guinea, DRC, Congo, and Uganda to explore questions about human uniqueness and ape cognition.
Publications Highlight: Over 50 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, including studies on chimpanzee tool use innovation, malaria epidemiology in wild populations, and conservation strategies leveraging non-human cultural knowledge. Recent work emphasizes experimental field methods and interdisciplinary approaches to primate behavior.
Awards: While no specific awards are listed, her SNSF Eccellenza Professorship reflects significant scholarly recognition. Grants include the CHAT Project and collaborative conservation initiatives.
Labs/Teams: APE Group at UZH, CHAT Project consortium, and partnerships with organizations like the Budongo Conservation Field Station. She advises postdocs and PhD students on field methodologies and comparative analyses.
