Roman Wittig

Roman Wittig is a Senior Scientist (W2) and Research Group Leader at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, leading the Taï Chimpanzee Project in Côte d'Ivoire. He co-initiated the Evolution of Brain Connectivity Project and is a member of the DFG Researcher Unit SoHaPi. His work focuses on the evolutionary roots of social organization, cooperation, and cognition in primates, particularly chimpanzees and bonobos.

Education:

• 2004: Dr. rer. nat. in Biology, University of Leipzig & Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology
• 1996: Diplom in Biology, University of Bielefeld

Research Interests: Wittig investigates the costs and benefits of group living in primates, hormonal mechanisms underlying social bonds, and cognitive adaptations promoting cooperation. He employs field experiments and non-invasive hormonal analysis to explore how sociality impacts life history and health. His comparative approach spans multiple primate species and populations, including chimpanzees, bonobos, baboons, and mangabeys.

Articles Summary: Recent work includes studies on chimpanzee brain connectivity, vocal communication complexity, and the evolution of tool use. These highlight the role of social learning, cultural transmission, and environmental pressures in shaping primate behavior and cognition.

Scientific Awards:

• 2018: Max Planck Synergy Research Group Leader (Evolution of Brain Connectivity)
• 2012: Young Investigator Award (Society of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology)
• 2006: DFG Research Fellowship

Grants & Advising: Wittig leads major grants totaling over €2 million, including Max Planck and DFG funding. He advises PhD students studying chimpanzee communication, tool use, and health. His lab collaborates internationally, integrating fieldwork with neuroimaging and genetic analyses.

Labs/Teams: The Wittig & Crockford Lab hosts interdisciplinary researchers exploring primate behavior, cognition, and ecology. Key collaborations include the Taï Chimpanzee Project, the Pan-Pan Comparison initiative, and the Evolution of Brain Connectivity Project.