Education

September, 2005 – present : PhD Candidate, Dr. Lee A. Fuiman, Advisor, Dept. of Marine Science, University of Texas at Austin.

2001 – 2005 : BA in Biology and Film Studies (double major), Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.

Awards

2004: Alan S. Tetelman Fellowship for Science (Yale)

2004: Yale Class of 1964 Environmental Fellowship

2003: Harvey Cushing Kingsley Trust Fellowship for Science (Yale)

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Research Experiences

2004: Work Experience Placement Programme: Lemur and Bird Departments:

Jersey Zoo (Channel Islands), Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

2003: Independent field research studying wildlife conservation and ecodevelopment strategies in the Great Himalayan National Park and surrounding villages, India

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Research Interests

My main interests lie in the area of behavioural ecology of organisms, although I am more interested in the behaviour component. At present I am focusing on the study of mating behaviour, and wish to explore the dynamics of mating behaviour in animals. The octopus, with its distinctive personality, intelligence, and complex behaviour, makes for an intriguing model organism. However, not much is known about octopus mating behaviour although most studies demonstrate that they do not exhibit an elaborate courtship ritual. Most octopuses are semelparous, and thus breed only once during their lifetime. Soon after laying her eggs, the female eats less and less till she dies. The male too dies soon after, going through a period of senescence before death. This life history, when combined with the much studied complex psychological traits of octopuses, is suggestive of at least a slightly sophisticated mating behaviour.

Studies done with squids- which display a far more elaborate courtship ritual- have suggested that cryptic female choice may be a critical component in determining the number of offspring fathered by males. This leads me to wonder if cryptic choice might not also be playing a part in the octopus mating system. A study of cryptic female choice however, must be preceded by a study of female choice in general. Currently therefore, I am aiming to explore mechanisms of female choice in octopuses, in order to understand the dynamics of the octopus mating system.

Octopuses are important predators within their ecosystems. Species range from being benthic to being littoral. They can occur in diverse habitats, from sea grass to the critically endangered reefs. They also form an important part of the food chain, preying upon crabs, bivalves and fish, and being preyed upon in turn by different kinds of fish and seals. Thus a study of octopus behaviour and reproduction is vital in understanding and conserving the marine ecosystems of which octopuses are such a key component.