The Ecological and Evolutionary Implications of Phytocannabinoids for Wild Primates
Description
We conduct multidisciplinary research across the Primate Environmental Endocrinology, Cannabinoid, Environmental Chemistry, and Comparative Aging Labs that includes research on campus at IU as well as international research projects in Costa Rica, Uganda, India, Madagascar, and Zambia. We are broadly examining how people, primates, and elephants around the world are affected by naturally-occurring and anthropogenic chemicals, including phytosteroids, pesticides, and flame retardants. Specific to this project, we are examining the consumption of wild and domesticated plants that contain cannabinoid-like bioactive compounds.
Our approaches link field-based studies of ecology and conservation of primates and elephants with lab-based assays to identify novel bioactive compounds of potential clinical/translational relevance given our unique access to screening a large diversity of tropical plants used as primate and elephant foods. We are also exploring molecular mechanisms of mammalian-plant co-evolution/adaptation and biological effects of exposure.
Due to the close relatedness of wild primates to humans and longevity and sociality of elephants, these results have novel implications for human health. In addition to undergraduate research, this project includes PhD students, research scientists, and postdoctoral fellows at IU and project managers and research assistants in Uganda, Zambia, and India.
Goals and Learning Outcomes
Students will receive cross-disciplinary hands-on training in plant chemistry (phytosteroid and phytocannabinoid extraction), cell biology (compound screening in cell lines), behavioral neuroscience (social behavior, food consumption, movement and coordination, pain), and endocrinology (use of immunoassays to quantify hormone levels). Our goal is for each undergraduate involved to eventually complete a senior thesis. Some students will have the opportunity to conduct international research.
Majors and Schools Sought
We are interested in majors from across campus, but students from Human Biology, Psychological and Brain Sciences, Neuroscience, Anthropology, O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, School of Public Health, Animal Behavior, Biology, and Hutton Honors College will have clearest connections to the project.
Desired Skills and Interests
We would like to work with students that have interests in One Health, Planetary Health, Evolutionary Medicine, and general Ecology & Evolution.
Faculty Leads