Profile

Ryan’s primary area of study is primate conservation. For his master’s thesis, he conducted two types of population surveys at the Taï Monkey Project in 2009. Ryan used line-transect distance sampling and occupancy modeling to survey primates within the research grid; during this time he also conducted a bushmeat study by recording all meat sold at a local bushmeat market. When he returned to Côte d’Ivoire in 2010, he continued his bushmeat study, as well as analyzed group dynamics of sooty mangabeys. Additionally, primate behavior is a major interest of mine. Ryan studied prehensile tail use in white-faced capuchins in Costa Rica for 2 months and am fascinated by bonobo promiscuity. He looks forward to working in Lomako with wild bonobos and studying their behavior, as well as working on conservation projects to benefit wild populations.