News

Of ants and men: Ant behavior might mirror political polarization, say Princeton researchers
Jan. 21, 2020

Could the division of labor in an anthill be driven by the same social dynamics governing the gap between liberals and conservatives? That was the surprising question tackled by Princeton biologists Chris Tokita and Corina Tarnita.

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Study of African animals illuminates links between environment, diet and gut microbiome
Nov. 11, 2019

“Environmental change may influence what animals are eating, and as a consequence, influence their microbiome and health in a variety of ways that can only be understood in natural settings,” said study lead author Tyler Kartzinel, an assistant professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Brown University and a former postdoctoral…

Student conference at NYC's American Museum of Natural History
Oct. 30, 2019

Six Princeton undergraduate seniors were invited to a Conservation Science conference at the American Museum of Natural History. The day began with a keynote on faith based conservation by a University of Wisconsin scientist originally from Nepal, followed by a series of 20 minute talks and a dozen speed talks. Over lunch the students signed up…

Kocher receives NIH Director’s New Innovator Award for biomedical and behavioral research
Oct. 3, 2019

This NIH award will support EEB's assistant professor Sarah Kocher to “bridge the gap between population and evolutionary genetics, neurobiology and behavior to uncover the core neurobiological and genetic mechanisms that shape the ‘social brain.’ ” Kocher examines how genetic and environmental factors shape variation in social behavior of bees…

Matt Hutchinson 2019 recipient of the Hack Graduate Award for Water and the Environment
Aug. 19, 2019

The Princeton Environmental Institute (PEI) has selected nine Princeton University graduate students representing six departments and programs as 2019 recipients of the Mary and Randall Hack ’69 Graduate…

Lindy McBride speaks with Ira Flatow on Science Friday
July 17, 2019

Lindy joins Ira to discuss how mosquitoes have evolved to sniff out humans and how learning what chemicals they are attracted to could lead to new traps or repellents. The human scent is made up of a combination of 100 odor compounds. Not only are the compounds produced by a person but some are from their microbiome. These molecules aren’t…

Princeton senior Petticord explores a Kenyan ecosystem one tortoise at a time
June 24, 2019

As Princeton senior Daniel Petticord was conceptualizing his thesis on animal movement in the African savanna, he could have chosen to study elephants, zebras, giraffes, impalas or any of the iconic animals that inhabit central Kenya. He chose the ubiquitous leopard tortoise. 

Predictability in the evolution of Orthopteran cardenolide insensitivity
June 18, 2019

Princeton graduate student, Lu Yang, and undergraduate students, Mariana Wu and Adam Rosenstein, work with Professor Andolfatto to study the evolution of cardenolide-insensitivity in the "gaudy grasshoppers". This is an example of strong evolutionary constraint on Na+,K+-ATPase overcome by duplication and neofunctionalization in insects that…

How do new predators change an ecosystem? Watch the prey.
June 17, 2019

Rob Pringle led an international team of researchers to investigate how invading predators affect species diversity. A leading cause of extinction is the introduction of predators into an isolated system like an island or a lake. The destruction is usually blamed on the predator’s eating choices, but sometimes the key lies in the prey animals’…

Princeton awards honorary degrees to Rosemary and Peter Grant
June 10, 2019

Princeton University awarded honorary degrees during Commencement exercises Tuesday, June 4, to six individuals for their contributions to education, literature, public service, science and space travel.  Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber awarded degrees to Dr. Michael Drake, president of The Ohio State University; Rodney…