Verhaltensökologie

Ana Lucía Arbaiza-Bayona

Research interests
I work within the framework of developmental plasticity, aiming broadly to understand how early environments shape behavioral trajectories throughout ontogeny. My research focuses in particular on prenatal and postnatal maternal effects on behavior. To explore these dynamics in an evolutionary context, I have conducted research across multiple species, including children, quail, spider monkeys, and macaques. I use both lab and field methods, integrating behavioral observations with hormonal, ecological, and demographic data, to investigate how developmental environments influence later-life outcomes.

Education

  • April 2021 – present: PhD student
    Behavioural Ecology Department, University of Göttingen.
    Ph.D. program Behaviour and Cognition (BeCog).
    DAAD Research Grant - Doctoral Programmes in Germany, 2020/21
    PhD topic: “Prenatal and postnatal maternal influence on personality development in wild Assamese macaques”. Advisor: Prof. Dr. Julia Ostner.
  • 2015-2018: Master in Psychology (research emphasis on Learning and Evolution of Behavior)
    Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota, Colombia.
    Research grant from Universidad Nacional de Colombia and Colciencias (761-2016).
    Awarded the highest distinction of laureate thesis: “Characterization of mother-infant relationship in wild Geoffroy’s spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi)”. Advisors: Prof. Dr. Germán Gutiérrez and Prof. Dr. Colleen Schaffner.
  • 2007-2013: Undergraduate degree in Psychology
    Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
    Undergraduate project: “Efectos de la Experiencia Temprana en el Comportamiento Sexual de la Codorniz Japonesa Macho” (Effects of Early Experience on the Sexual Behavior of Male Japanese Quail). Advisor: Prof. Dr. Germán Antonio Gutiérrez Domínguez



Publications