Michelle Brown

Michelle Brown is an Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and a Guest Scientist at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior. Her research focuses on primate behavioral ecology, with emphasis on social variation and feeding competition strategies across primate species.

Her academic background includes:

• A.B. in Cognitive Neuroscience, Harvard University (2000)
• Ph.D. in Evolutionary Primatology, Columbia University (2011)

Dr. Brown directs the Ngogo Monkey Project in Kibale National Park, Uganda, studying 11 red-tailed monkey groups, 6 blue monkey groups, 7 grey-cheeked mangabey groups, plus olive baboons and L'Hoest's monkeys. Her research integrates behavioral observations, plant phenology censuses, playback experiments, and non-invasive biological sampling to investigate:

• Community Energetics: Biomarkers of energetic condition in feeding competition
• Intergroup Conflict: Hypotheses on territoriality and collective action
• Blue Monkey Health & Disease: Population dynamics drivers
• Diversity in STEM: Fieldwork opportunities for underrepresented minorities

She leads a research team of graduate students, project managers, and field assistants, with data accessible via Movebank (NMP datasets). Her work spans Kibale National Park, Gunung Palung National Park, Kakamega Forest, and other African sites, analyzed through the UMNTC Primate Ecology & Energetics Laboratory.