Laela Sayigh

Laela Sayigh is an Associate Professor of Animal Behavior at Hampshire College and holds an affiliation with the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Organismic and Evolutionary Biology (OEB) Department. Her primary office is located at Adele Simmons Hall 131 in Hampshire College, while her UMass Amherst office is at 203 French Hall. She contributes to interdisciplinary research and teaching across both institutions.

Laela Sayigh's educational background includes:

• B.A., University of Pennsylvania
• Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (MIT/WHOI) Joint Program

Her research explores the social behavior and communication systems of cetaceans, including whales and dolphins. She examines both applied issues, such as the effects of anthropogenic noise on their communication, and fundamental questions about call structure and function. To overcome challenges in studying these species, she employs technologies like non-invasive tags and collaborative methods with institutions like UMass Amherst.

In her teaching, Sayigh emphasizes theoretical and applied aspects of animal behavior and marine mammal biology. She designs courses that integrate scientific inquiry with cultural and ecological perspectives, such as Marine Mammals from Diverse Perspectives, which incorporates indigenous knowledge and climate resilience, and Animal Behavior Theory, focusing on evolutionary principles and sensory systems.

No scientific awards are mentioned in the provided texts.

No specific details about advising or grants are provided in the available information. However, she is involved in research projects and educational programs, including Hampshire College's Global Study Intensives, which offer immersive opportunities for students worldwide.

While specific lab affiliations are not listed, her research collaborations likely involve institutions such as the MIT/WHOI Joint Program and the University of Massachusetts Amherst's OEB Department.