Professor Lambert is an evolutionary ecologist and conservation biologist. Her current research program centers on plant-animal interactions, mammal nutritional biology, and the natural selection of feeding-related adaptations in mammals, especially Primates and Carnivora. Since 1991, Professor Lambert has conducted research at her primary field site (Kibale National Park, Uganda) on questions related to: the evolution of feeding-related clade-level traits (e.g., digestive physiology, gut microbes, and diet), community interactions among mammals and plants, species coexistence, rewilding and biodiversity conservation. She also works in North America with a focus on carnivore resilience and rapid evolution in both anthropogenic landscapes and protected areas (e.g., Yellowstone National Park). Professor Lambert interprets her behavioral and ecological data collected in the field with physiological, genetic, and nutritional chemistry data collected in the laboratory.
keywords
plant-animal interactions, community ecology, feeding-related anatomy and physiology, nutritional ecology, conservation biology, mammals in anthropogenic landscapes, human-wildlife conflict & coexistence, Primates, Carnivora, Africa, North America
Teaching
courses taught
ANTH 3005 - Dogs, Wolves and Human Evolution
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018
Domestication of dogs from wolves started many tens of thousands of years ago. Explores the domestication process, wild wolf behavior, dog behavior, genetics of dog breeding, the cultural significance of dogs, the complexity of human-wolf interactions in North America and Europe and dog cognition in a larger comparative framework, including chimpanzees and other primates.
ANTH 4020 - Explorations in Anthropology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019
Special topics in cultural and physical anthropology, as well as archaeology. Check with the department for semester offerings. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours. Same as ANTH 5020.
ANTH 4120 - Advanced Biological Anthropology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018
Selected topics in physical anthropology emphasizing faculty specialties. Topics may include population genetics and its application to understanding modern human diversity, human population biology, and primate ecology and evolution. Check with department for semester offerings. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Same as ANTH 5120. Recommended prerequisite: ANTH 2010 or ANTH 2020 or EBIO 1210 or EBIO 1220.
ANTH 5120 - Advanced Biological Anthropology
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018
Selected topics in physical anthropology emphasizing faculty specialties. Topics may include population genetics and its application to understanding modern human diversity, human population biology, and primate ecology and evolution. Check with department for semester offerings. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours. Same as ANTH 4120.
EBIO 3040 - Conservation Biology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021 / Spring 2023
Applies principles of population ecology, population genetics, biogeography, animal behavior, and paleobiology to the maintenance of biodiversity and natural systems. The resulting theory is then applied to conservation policy and management techniques. Recommended prerequisite: EBIO 2040 or EBIO 2640 or ENVS 2000 (minimum grade C-). Same as ENVS 3040.
EBIO 4460 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019
Familiarizes students with specialized areas of biology. May be repeated up to 15 total credit hours. Recommended prerequisites: EBIO 1210 and EBIO 1220 and EBIO 1230 and EBIO 1240 (minimum grade C-). Same as EBIO 5460.
EBIO 4990 - EBIO Honors Thesis Research
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2024
To be taken during the final academic year prior to graduation. Consists of the final phase of honors research and thesis preparation under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Recommended prerequisites: minimum 3.3 GPA and a declared EBIO major and approval by departmental Honors program.
ENVS 1000 - Introduction to Environmental Studies
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019
This course provides students with an introduction to natural science topics and skill sets necessary to address multi-dimensional human-environment interactions. Students will survey biological and physical science aspects of environmental change, examining ecological, biological, chemical, and technological factors that influence the quality of life on Earth. The focus of the class is on developing a stronger science-based understanding of Earth�s environmental systems and how they are altered by human activity. Required for ENVS majors.
ENVS 3040 - Conservation Biology
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2021 / Spring 2023
Applies principles of population ecology, population genetics, biogeography, animal behavior, and paleobiology to the maintenance of biodiversity and natural systems. The resulting theory is then applied to conservation policy and management techniques. Recommended prerequisite: EBIO 2040 or EBIO 2640. Same as EBIO 3040.
ENVS 3525 - Intermediate Environmental Problem Analysis: Topical Cornerstones
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2022 / Spring 2024
Engages students in in-depth study of a topic such as climate change, energy, natural resources or sustainability. Through lectures, discussions, readings and activities, students will become conversant with how science, policy and values are integrated in environmental problem solving, and develop their own sense of how to critically engage with proposed solutions. Fulfills cornerstone requirement for Environmental Studies Major. Recommended prerequisite: ENVS 1000. Recommended corequisite: ENVS 3020. May be repeated up to 6 total credit hours, provided the topics vary.
ENVS 4100 - Special Topics in Environmental Studies
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Summer 2020 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2022
Various topics not normally covered in the curriculum: offered depending on student demand and specialties of faculty. Applied to specialization requirement for Environmental Studies major. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours, provided the topics vary.
ENVS 4850 - ENVS Honors Thesis Research
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
To be taken in final academic year prior to graduation. Consists of honors research and thesis preparation under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Department enforced restriction: Requires a minimum 3.3 GPA and a declared ENVS major and approval by departmental honors committee.
ENVS 5000 - Policy, Science, and the Environment
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020
Introduction to methodologies of the policy sciences with emphasis on applications to environmental issues; role of science in decision making; professional roles and responsibilities as a policy analyst.
ENVS 5100 - Special Topics in Environmental Studies
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Spring 2024
A variety of topics not currently offered in curriculum; offered depending on instructor availability and student demand. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours, provided the topics vary.
