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Profile - Laura Loyola
Laura Loyola
Contact Information
E-mail: loyola@usc.edu
Phone:
(347) 623-6985
Mail Code: 0371
Started at USC: Fall 2008
Education:
2008 ��� present
Graduate Student, Integrative & Evolutionary Biology
University of Southern California, Los Angeles
2004 ��� 2005
Continuing Education: Biology and Political Science Courses
Hunter College, City University of New York, New York
May ��� August 2004
Continuing Education: Anthropology Courses
Columbia University, New York
May ��� August 1999
Continuing Education: Chemistry Courses
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
1994 ��� 1998
B.A., Biology
Amherst College, Amherst
January ��� May 1997
Kenya Field Study Program
St. Lawrence University, Nairobi
Faculty Advisor(s):
Dr. Roberto Delgado, Anthropology
Research Abstract:
The Northeast Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio) is known to have more robust jaws than the Sumatran orangutan (P. abelii), and this greater robusticity allows for higher mechanical load resistance during mastication perhaps permitting them to feed upon stronger and tougher foods. ��However, it has not yet been established whether differences in orangutan jaw morphology can be attributed to material properties of foods.�� Also unknown is how orangutans choose their foods, and whether they employ optimal foraging strategies, acquire dietary information through social learning or rely principally on the mechanical properties of food items for their selections.�� One project I am involved in will measure the physical properties of foods in Kutai National Park, Indonesia to test predictions about the functional relationship between craniodental morphology and diet, and to examine possible determinants of orangutan food choices.�� I hypothesize that differences in physical properties have led to the more robust jaw morphology in P.p. morio.�� Consequently, I predict that the foods utilized by P.p. morio will be tougher and stronger than foods consumed by other orangutan subspecies. Characterizing the material properties of P.p. morio foods and their effects on craniodental morphology is also vital to conservation efforts.�� Due to the rapidly diminishing orangutan habitats and resources, it is important to identify suitable food types for this species of endangered orangutan.
My primary research interest is to understand the determinants of geographic variation in primate social behaviors.�� Given that certain taxon-typical traits vary long clines, I intend to examine how the interactions of sympatric species in East Africa vary along the same clines and what ecological factors influence their behaviors.�� To achieve this, I will conduct naturalistic and comparative studies.�� Specifically, I shall rely on GIS, remote sensing data, biogeographic models, and behavioral observations to determine the ecological variants present in various locations where two genera of primates (Procolobus and Cercopithecus) occur.�� The goals of my research are threefold: 1) to determine the biogeographic, climactic, ecological and anthropogenic factors associated with sympatry between specialist and generalist taxa in East Africa; 2) to develop Geographic Information Systems (GIS) models for predicting their geographic distributions and relative population abundance; and 3) to assess the strength of my models through direct field observations at selected sites.�� Ultimately, this research has implications for understanding niche divergence and the nature of inter-specific interactions.
CV: Click to view