Nicole Wackerly in in Senegal in 2016 with Fongoli chimp Bo (adult male) in the background. Because humans are so closely related to chimpanzees, researchers wear masks when in close proximity as a precaution against disease transmission.
Nicole Wackerly ’14 finished her M.A. at Iowa State University during the summer of 2016 in the Anthropology Department with a focus on primatology.
When she started in the College of Arts & Sciences at Ohio University, she was focused on Forensic Anthropology with a minor in Chemistry. Then she took anthropology courses incorporating primate behavior and ecology, which influenced her decision to change paths within her Anthropology major.
Her professors later encouraged her to take a primate field school during a summer break, which further persuaded Wackerly to pursue primatology as a career.
Graduate Study in Costa Rica
For her master’s thesis, she collected data on wild black-handed spider monkeys, specifically studying their positional behavior, at El Zota Biological Field Station in Costa Rica. Her data included observations of a one-armed individual at the site, as well, allowing commentary on the abilities of disabled wild primates.
Following the completion of her degree, she had the opportunity to assist chimpanzee research at Dr. Jill Pruetz’s field site (Fongoli) in Senegal. She hopes to return to Fongoli to continue studying wild chimpanzees for her Ph.D. work, which she expects to begin in the fall of 2017, continuing her work under Pruetz.
The support of her professors and classmates made her OHIO experience both memorable and enjoyable, helping to foster her love for this field.
Fieldwork
“Field work is both the biggest challenge and the greatest reward!”
She observes that living conditions are far different than those experienced at home, though it does not usually take long to adjust to the different food, cultures and lifestyles. Additionally, it can be difficult being so far from loved ones for long periods of time with very limited opportunities for contact.
On the other hand Wackerly says that it is also nice being disconnected for a while.
“While field work can be physically and mentally exhausting,” she says, “spending time in that environment observing my study subjects and other wild animals is continuously amazing and is what I enjoy most!”
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