Jenn E Smith
Associate Professor of Biology
Letts–Villard Professorship in Natural Sciences
Professional Interests: Behavioral and evolutionary ecology of social rodents and carnivores
Curriculum VitaeAt Mills Since 2012
Biography
Jennifer Smith is a behavioral ecologist whose research integrates perspectives from evolutionary biology, animal behavior, genetics, physiology and urban ecology in an effort to understand how natural selection and current conditions shape decision-making in mammals. As leader of the Long-term Study on the Behavioral Ecology of California ground squirrels, Smith's team of undergraduates combines naturalistic observations with field experiments, genetic and endocrine analyses, and social network statistics to test evolutionary theory. Smith is also internationally recognized for her comparative research on social lives of mammals, especially those of carnivores. This work reveals the evolutionary and ecological forces favoring leadership and cooperation. Her recent career awards for excellence in teaching and mentoring include those from the Animal Behavior Society and Phi Beta Kappa.
Education
- BA, Colby College
- MS, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- PhD, Michigan State University
Courses Taught
- BIO 125: Principles of Ecology
- BIO 144: Animal Behavior
- BIO 158: Marine Biology
- BIO 161: Vertebrate Biology
- BIO 191: Senior Seminar