Lauren A Stanton, M.Sc.

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Research Interests

Animal behavior & cognition | urban ecology | human-wildlife coexistence

 

Education

2014 – December 2020                                         

Doctor of Philosophy Candidate – Program in Ecology 

University of Wyoming, Adviser: Sarah Benson-Amram Ph.D.

Dissertation: : Experimental Investigations of Cognition in Highly Adaptable Species

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2013                                                                                         

Master of Science – Animal Behavior                                                                          

Manchester Metropolitan University      

Thesis: A standardized ethogram for the Felidae: A tool for behavioral researchers

Awarded with Distinction (high honors)

 

2007                            

Bachelor of Science – Animal Sciences                                                                        

University of Maryland

 

Peer-Reviewed Publications (*Equal contribution first authorship; manuscript number provided for those in review)

• Stanton, L., Bridge, E, Huizinga, J, Johnson, S, Young, J, & Benson-Amram, S. 2020. Reversal learning in three highly adaptable generalists. Animal Cognition

• Schell, C, Stanton, L, Young, J, Breck, S, Angeloni, L, Lambert, J, & Murray, M. 2020. The evolutionary consequences of human-wildlife conflict in cities. Evo Apps

• Barrett, L.*, Stanton, L.*, and Benson-Amram, S. 2018 “The cognition of ‘nuisance’ animals.” Animal Behaviour 

       *Equal contribution authorship.

• Stanton, L., Davis, E., Johnson, S., Gilbert, A., and Benson-Amram, S. 2017. “Adaptation of the Aesop’s Fable paradigm for use with raccoons (Procyon lotor): considerations for future application in non‐avian and non‐primate species.” Animal Cognition, 20(6):1147-1152. 

• Stanton, L., Sullivan, M., and Fazio, J. 2015. “A Standardized Ethogram for the Felidae: A Tool for Behavioral Researchers.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 173:3-16.

 

Publications in Preparation († mentee lead manuscript; ‡ dissertation chapter)

• †Fanelli, R, Stanton, L., McDonald, D., & Benson-Amram, S. Community dynamics and information transmission in raccoons (Procyon lotor). (Data collection & analysis complete; writing underway)

• ‡Stanton, L., Evans, J., Bridge, E., Huizinga, J., McDonald, D., & Benson-Amram, S. Social behavior and cognitive performance in wild mesocarnivores. (Data collection complete; analysis underway)

• ‡Stanton, L. & Benson-Amram, S. Learning and problem solving in a wild population of urban mesocarnivores. (Data collection complete; analysis underway)

• †Hunt, J, Owino, R, Goheen, J, Mong, T, Knox, M, & Stanton, L. Personality of dik-dik (Madoqua guentheri) along a human-use gradient. (Data collection & analysis complete; writing underway)

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Grants, Fellowships, & Awards

2020    Carlton R. Barkhurst Dissertation Fellowship, University of Wyoming

2019     Dick and Lynne Cheney Study-Abroad Grant, University of Wyoming

2018     Dr. George E. Menkens Memorial Scholarship, University of Wyoming

2018     Berry Ecology Center Grant, University of Wyoming

2017     Arts & Sciences Dean’s Graduate Scholar Award, University of Wyoming

2017     Graduate Research Fellowship, Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium

2017     Student Research and Creative Activities Grant, Haub School of Environment and                    Natural Resources

2016     Travel Award, EPSCoR Wyoming Women in Science and Engineering Program

2016     Outreach Award, Laramie Audubon Society 

2014     L Floyd Clarke Graduate Scholar Award, University of Wyoming

2011      Vice-Chancellor Scholarship, Manchester Metropolitan University

 

Research Presentations & Invited Talks 

2020   Experimental investigation of mesocarnivore behavior & cognition

            USDA National Wildlife Research Center, Laporte, CO (forthcoming)

2019     Evaluating the Behavioral Plasticity of Urban Carnivores

            56th Annual Conference of the Animal Behavior Society, Chicago, IL

2018     Discrimination and Reversal Learning in Raccoons, Skunks and Coyotes

            International Society for Behavioral Ecology Meeting, Minneapolis, MN

2017     Learning, problem solving, and behavioral flexibility in raccoons and striped skunks

            54th Annual Conference of the Animal Behavior Society, Toronto, Canada 

2017     Learning, problem solving, and behavioral flexibility in raccoons and striped skunks

            International Urban Wildlife Conference, San Diego, CA

2017     University of Wyoming Raccoon Project: Who We Are 

            Presented with Rachel Fanelli, Izaak Walton League of America 

2016     Community Outreach with the University of Wyoming Raccoon Project                                      Presented with Rachel Fanelli, Laramie Audubon Society

2016     Investigation of Causal Understanding in Raccoons Using the Aesop’s Fable                            Paradigm, 53th Annual Conference of the Animal Behavior Society, Columbia, MO 

2015     Problem Solving in Human-Altered Environments

            Communicating Science Public Event, Altitude Chophouse and Brewery, Laramie

2014     Ex Situ Work with Wildlife and Exotic Animals 

            The Wildlife Society (student chapter), University of Wyoming

2013     A Standardized Ethogram for the Felidae: A Tool for Behavioral Researchers

            Association of Zoos and Aquariums Felid TAG Meeting, Jacksonville, FL 

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Select Media Coverage

2018     Science Friday: "Raccoons: Tricky Trash Pandas Or Misunderstood Masterminds?"

2018     Right to Roam: "Trash Pandas and Polecats…Affectionately of Course!"

2018     Smithsonian Magazine: “How Humans Created the Ultimate Superpests”

2018     IFLS: “Smarter Animals Are Bigger Mischief-Makers” 

2018     WyoFile: “Are Some Animals Too Smart for Their Own Good?”

2018     National Geographic: “Can Animals Be Creative?”

2017     BBC World Service: “Meet the Raccoons that solved an ancient puzzle”

2017     Le Monde: “Le raton laveur, Archimède en herbe”

2017     National Geographic: “Raccoons Pass Famous Intelligence Test—By Upending It”

2017     IFLS: “Rebel Raccoon Solves Ancient Greek Puzzle in Entirely Unexpected Way”

2017     Wyoming Public Radio: “New Study Pits Laramie Raccoons Against an Ancient Greek                Fable”

2017     WyoFile: “The raccoon and the marshmallow”

2017     Daily Mail: “Watch clever raccoons solve Aesop's Crow and the Pitcher puzzle to get                floating marshmallows”

2016    Wyoming Public Radio: “From Pests to Puzzle Solvers, Scientists Study Laramie's                          Raccoons”     

2015     Critter Patter Radio Show: “Interview with the University of Wyoming Raccoon Project”

2015     Laramie Boomerang: “Keeping Watch” 

 

Professional Services & Memberships

2016 – 2018    Reviewer: Animal Behavior & Cognition, Animal Cognition, International Journal                         of Comparative Psychology, PeerJ, Scientific Reports, Journal of Mammalogy,                           Zoo Biology

2015 – 2018    Member: 500 Women Scientists, Animal Behavior Society, Graduate Women in                         Science, University of Wyoming Graduate Student Network, Wyoming Chapter                         of The Wildlife Society

2017 – 2019    Graduate Student Mentor, Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming

2017 – 2018    Co-president: Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming

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Teaching Experience

2019     Ecology of African Savannas – Teaching Assistantship, Mpala Research Center

2017     Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy – Teaching Assistantship, University of Wyoming 

2016     Mammalogy – Teaching Assistantship, University of Wyoming

2016     Advanced Animal Behavior – Teaching Assistantship, University of Wyoming

2015     Zoology – Teaching Assistantship, University of Wyoming

2015     Biology – Teaching Assistantship, University of Wyoming 

2014     Biology – Teaching Assistantship, University of Wyoming 

2009    English (as a second language) - CCAA (language School), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2005    Photography– Teaching Assistantship, University of Maryland

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Select Work & Research Experience

2015 – 2016      Project Manager – University of Wyoming Raccoon Project

                         Managed the UWRP (e.g., monitoring wild raccoons, humane trapping and                               handling of raccoons, data collection, and public outreach.) and mentored                             seven undergraduate students.

2013 – 2014      Animal Keeper – Maryland Zoo in Baltimore                 

                         Responsible for the care and enrichment of southern white rhino, plains                                   zebra, African leopard, various African birds, arctic fox and polar bear.

2010 – 2013      Veterinary Technician  – Maryland Avian & Exotic Veterinary Care                      

                         Independently administered veterinary care and assisted lead veterinarian                             in appointments and surgical procedures. Species included various birds,                                 reptiles, and small mammals kept as pets. 

2008 – 2009   Wildlife Recovery Intern– Centros de Triagem de Animais Silvestres                

                         Managed the care of South American wildlife at a federal rehabilitation                                   center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

2007 – 2011      Research Intern & Keeper Aide– Smithsonian National Zoological Park                                         Preformed data collection and analysis of sloth bear behavioral research,                               and supported animal keepers with the care, maintenance, and enrichment                           of various wild and endangered animals. 

2002 – 2003   Rehabilitation Intern – Second Chance Wildlife Center   

                        Responsible for the care and release of various North American birds, reptiles                          and mammals.

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Public Education & Outreach Events

2018     USDA/NWRC Open House – Public tour of captive coyote facility in Millville, UT

2017     Tour de Coop – Distributed materials at a predator-proofing workshop hosted by                  Laramie Local Foods

2017     Women in STEM Conference – Presentation and activities for female middle and                    high school students

2016     Beitel Elementary School – Presentation on animal behavior/enrichment research                  for 4th grade students

2016     Laramie Farmers Market – Distributed materials about the UWRP and humane                        wildlife conflict resolution  

2016     Laramie High School – Coordinated a lecture on animal behavior research                              delivered by the UWRP

2016     Wyoming STEM – Presentation and activities (e.g., camera traps, crafts, radio                             telemetry) for young children

2016     Brain Awareness Night – Held a booth on animal puzzles and cognition research for              adults and children 

2016     Wyoming State Science Fair – Presentation on animal behavior research for                            students of various ages

2016     Women in STEM Conference – Presentation and activities for female middle and                    high school students

2016     Wyoming STEM –  Presentation and activities (e.g., camera traps, crafts, radio                          telemetry) for young children

2015     Girl Scouts in Science – Presentation and activities (e.g., making behavioral                              observations) on wildlife research

2015     Beitel Elementary School – Presentation and activities (camera traps, radio                              telemetry) for 4thgrade students

2015     Laramie Farmer’s Market – Distributed materials about the UWRP and humane                        wildlife conflict resolution

2015     Albany County Public Library – Presentation and activities (e.g., camera traps, radio                telemetry) for “tweens” 

2015     Albany County Public Library – Presentation and activities (e.g., camera traps, crafts)              for young children

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Mentorship

To date, I have mentored nine University of Wyoming undergraduate students who either worked directly with me or as technicians for the broader University of Wyoming Raccoon Project. Each student has received training on many aspects of our work, which includes monitoring the local raccoon population using trail cameras, tracking the raccoons using radio telemetry, data management, raccoon immobilization, and participating in public outreach and education. Those students that work directly with me gain additional experience conducting experiments and behavioral coding.