...An individual’s social world emerges from, and persists within, their sensory experiences.

We are researchers and students!
Cultivating curiosity, compassion and rigor in research.
You can read more about us all below.
Our research is made possible because of many others. Check out our core collaborators both inside and outside of Cornell.

Back Row (R-L): Ehren, Mary, Jeremiah, Martin, Sasha, Graciella, Mary. Front Row (R-L): Josie, Rosie, Celine, Katie, Jinyu.



Back Row (R-L): Ehren, Mary, Jeremiah, Martin, Sasha, Graciella, Mary. Front Row (R-L): Josie, Rosie, Celine, Katie, Jinyu.
Senior Researchers

Research Associate
Ehren Bentz, PhD
Project: Effect of social bonding on neurogenomic state of sensory cortices - focused on the effect of social experiences on chromatin remodeling.
Co-advised with Ben Sandkam in NBB

Post Doctoral Fellow
Paula Olivio, PhD
Project: Neuroendocrine Mechanisms of vocal dynamics in paired zebra finches - with a focus on the role of glucocorticoids in the social behavior network, song control system and sensory circuits.

Post Doctoral Research
Mary Elson, PhD
Project: Dynamic vocal interactions and perception in paired and unpaired zebra finches.
Graduate Students
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PhD Student
Celia McLean, MSc
Project: The function of Acoustic Fine structure in communication in birds.

PhD Student
Sophia Becker
Project: Neuroendocrinology of pair-bond maintenance.

Master's Student
Wangchen Pei
Project: On the impact of - A Birdsong Program - a community engaged program.
Undergraduate Researchers

Josh Davis
HD 4010
Fall 2023- Current
Project: Neuroendocrinology of Social Behavior.

Saahil Joshi
BIOG 4990 Student
Spring 2023 - Current
Project: Auditory discrimination of social partners in female zebra finches.

Josephine Kelly
BIOG 4990 Student
Fall 2023 - Current
Project: Social diet and food preferences.

Alana Carrasco
BIOG 4990 Student
Fall 2023 - Current
Research Assistant: Bioacoustics & Perception.
Works with Celia McLean.

Katie Greening
HD 4010 Student
Spring 2024 - Current
Research Assistant: Social Behavior and Stress.
Works with Sophia Becker.

Varsha Patel
BIOG 4990 Student
Fall 2023 - Current
Research Assistant: Social Behavior and Stress.
Works with Sophia Becker
Core Collabortors
We are lucky to work closely with several labs at Cornell University and have core collaborations with:
Ophir's Integrative Neuroethology Lab (Psychology Department), Sandkam's Behavioral Ecology and Evolution Lab (Department of Neurobiology and Behavior), and Matthew Taves Immunoregulation Lab (Animal Sciences, University of Illinois).
Past Undergraduate Researchers
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Rosie Hsu, BIOG 4990 (Fall 2022 - Spring 2025)
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Sasha Smalls, BIOG 4990 Senior Thesis Student (Fall 2022-Spring 2025)
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Jeremiah Gorman, BIOG 4990 Senior Thesis Student (Spring 2022-Spring 2025)
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Martin Kim, PSYCH 4770 Senior Thesis Student/SURF fellow (Spring 2023-Fall 2025)
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Sophia Huynh, BIOG 4990 (Spring 2023-Spring 2025)
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Gianna Morales, BIOG 4990 Senior Thesis Student (Fall 2022 - Fall 2024)
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Precious Oyewole, Birdsong Program Coordinator (Summer 2023 - Fall 2024)
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Pamela Anderson, Research Specialist (Fall 2023 - Fall 2024)
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Kathleen Anderson, BIOG 4990 Artist in Residence (Spring 2022-Fall 2023)
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Karim Sorour, BIOG 4990 Student (Fall 2022-Spring 2024)
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Kristen Briney, BSc Research Specialist (March - December 2023)
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Katrianna Galloway BIOG 4990 Student (Spring 2022-Spring 2023)
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Tyleah Brown BIOG 4990 Student (Fall 2023 - Spring 2023)
