Lab members

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Noah Smith (PhD student)

I am interested in how power and social status change cognition and behaviour. How does winning in social competitions, or having high social status, affect the way we think and act towards others? If a previous winner begins to lose in social contexts, how does their behaviour change? Lastly: why do some people strive for power and status, while others stay complacent? Does this have to do with success in previous social competitions?    

 

 

 

 

Jack Rosenbaum (PhD student)

I am interested in evolutionary biology and behavioural neuroscience. I currently study the genetic basis of sociability using fruit flies and mice.

 

 

 

 

 

Keren Ighalo (PhD student)

I am interested in the genetic basis of insects' fatal attraction to artificial light. I am also interested in simulating and modeling animals' cognitive and ecological processes.

 

 

 

 

Ali Naqvi (PhD student)

I am interested in evolving animal-like behaviour within artificial living systems, focusing on the evolutionary origins of biological complexity and the early emergence of intelligent behaviour.

 

 

 

 

 

Gautham Krishna (MSc student)

I am interested in understanding how perseverance enables individuals to overcome setbacks and losses, as well as how continued effort reflects true perseverance versus stubbornness.

 

Undergraduate students

We typically have about a dozen undergrad students in the lab, most of them conduct independent research within one of our main research areas.

 

 

Former postdocs and students

Janice Yan (PhD 2024)

Brendan McEwen (PhD 2024)

Dania Daanish (Msc 2024)

Rajat Bhargava (MSc 2022)

Tovah Kashetsky (MSc 2021)

Joshua Hinds (2021)

Andrew Scott (PhD 2021)

David Filice (PhD 2020)

Carling Baxter (PhD 2019)

Kevin Abbott (postdoc 2014-16)

Joseph Mentlik (MSc 2016)

Blake Anderson (MSc 2015)

Shane Golden (MSc 2014)

Sebastain Schwarz  (Postdoc 2012-2013)

Zac Durisko  (PhD 2013)

Isvarya Venu  (MSc 2013)

Yaara Lancet (MSc 2011)

Corrine Seeley (MSc 2010)

Kevin Abbott (PhD 2009)

Sachin Sarin (MSc 2009)

Alex Lange (Postdoc 2008-9)

Lara Kujtan (MSc 2008)

Marie-Pierre Schippers (PhD in Biology, 2011)

Luca Bianco Prevot (MSc 2006)

 

 

 

Updated Wednesday April 29, 2026 09:11 AM