Cristal Ortiz '25 Summer Research at the Duke Lemur Center

During the summer of 2022, I had the opportunity to participate in research at the Duke Lemur Center under the Drea Lab. The project name is Comparative Neuroendocrinology of Maternal Care in Strepsirrhines with Fast and Slow Life Histories. I work with the Lemur catta and Vareica rubra for this research. The goal of this research is to focus on the hormone oxytocin in the mother of each group. There is behavior observation before, during, and after pregnancy to monitor the maternal and overall behavior of the mother in each lemur group. I have developed the skill of collecting observational data and learning about cognitive behavior displayed within primates. I have also been able to have data reliability testing to make sure I was recording accurate data. I have learned about how hormones released by the brain influence behavior through first-hand observation.

This research is relevant to my major in Neuroscience since it deals with the hormone, oxytocin released by the brain in the field of Neuroendocrinology. I still continue this research during the fall semester at the Duke Lemur Center and will also participate in direct brain research under the Drea Lab during my fall semester.