Poop power!

I started working at the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology at the Lincoln Park Zoo as the endocrinology research associate in 2015. This science program has ended but the scientists continue the work at other institutions. Our lab focused on using non-invasive sampling techniques (think poop, urine, hair, feathers) to gather hormones from an animal to learn more about stress and reproduction. 

We studied many of the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo, but were not able to monitor them all. The main question we answered: "Is this animal pregnant?". 

Because there are only around 15 endocrinology labs in over 300 AZA-accredited zoos in North America, we also sometimes analyzed samples from animals at other zoos. 

We were also interested in the wild animals living around Chicago. We studied skunks, white-tailed deer, amphibians, songbirds, raccoons, rats, and cottontail rabbits. By studying these species, we were able to better understand how human urbanization affects wild animals.

We also studied wild animals living all over the world.  We have collaborated on several projects involving African primates, such as mountain gorillas, lowland gorillas, and chimpanzees.