PETER WASER

Professor
LILY G-417
494-8129

"Molecular Ecology" describes the emerging application of molecular techniques to problems in ecology and evolutionary biology. Our program in this area focuses on mammalian social behavior, population dynamics and genetics. Students combine molecular genetics with traditional field observations in studying gorillas and forest monkeys in Central and East Africa, carnivores in Africa and Arizona, and small mammals in the southwestern US and in Indiana. We are particularly interested in developing DNA "fingerprinting" techniques that will let us monitor attributes of wild animal populations relevant to conservation. 

This work is highly collaborative, involving cross-school initiatives with faculty in the schools of Agriculture (Forestry & Natural Resources) and Liberal Arts (Anthropology). We also collaborate with biologists in Canada, Europe and Africa, where we are pursuing a long-term project in primate conservation .Our research is relatively accessible to undergraduates, and we supplement our traditional courses in Ecology and Animal Behavior with opportunities for undergraduate field research. We are developing opportunities for students to do species surveys and monitoring for citizen-based conservation groups and a nonprofit foundation associated with a new Indiana State Park. With students in Physics and Computer Engineering, we are developing a web-based simulation to illustrate physical principles relevant to animal behavior.