I am a biologist who studies primate behavioral ecology. My research mainly focuses on understanding the biological processes that shape social systems of non-human primates. I am particularly interested in understanding the selective advantage of group living and the interplay between intragroup cooperation and intergroup competition.

To this end, I examine demographic, ecological, endocrine, and genetic factors mediating male and female social and reproductive strategies, individual strategies in cooperative group defense, intragroup coordination and decision making, and intergroup dynamics. I also investigate the function of long-distance calls and how these influence group movement decisions and intergroup interactions. 

I have established a long-term behavioral and ecological field research study on black howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra) in Palenque National Park in southern Mexico.