معرفی
Ken Cheng is a Professor at the School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, specializing in animal behavior and spatial cognition. His research focuses on understanding how animals, particularly insects like desert ants (Melophorus bagoti) and bull ants (Myrmecia midas), navigate complex environments using spatial and sensory cues. He has conducted extensive fieldwork in Central Australia and on campus, studying topics such as landmark use, celestial navigation, and learning processes.
Cheng's work spans over four decades, with major contributions to understanding insect navigation through experimental and theoretical approaches. His studies integrate behavioral ecology, experimental psychology, and comparative cognition. He has authored influential books, including How Animals Think and Feel (2016) and Biological Basis of Behavior (2018), and pioneered research on spatial reorientation and the role of geometry in animal cognition.
Key research themes include the use of panoramic views, celestial cues, and oscillators in navigation, as well as the cognitive mechanisms underlying spatial learning and memory in insects. His team has explored how ants adapt to environmental changes, such as colony relocation during heavy rainfall, and how they integrate sensory information to orient themselves in novel environments.
Cheng's publications span over 200 articles, covering topics like ant waste management strategies, the effects of UV light on navigation, and the application of psychophysical methods to study insect behavior. His lab's interdisciplinary approach bridges experimental and theoretical frameworks to advance our understanding of animal cognition and behavior.
