Jessica (Jesi) M. Godin

Advisor: Dr. Jerome Frieman

Description of Research

Current research focuses on kin recognition of mammary secretions (paternal aunt vs. unrelated individual; pending subjects), and the learning abilities of Dwarf hamsters (Phodopus campbelli) using various perceptual stimuli. To date both olfactory and tactual stimuli have been investigated using an operant designed Y-maze task. Successful discriminations have yet to be demonstrated.

My MS Thesis project was on kin recognition ability in Dwarf hamsters. Results of this research indicated that, much like Golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus), Dwarf hamsters are capable of recognizing the difference between two male odors if the odor donors are unrelated to each other (r > .0625), but not if those odor donors are siblings (r = .5). This research suggests that inbreeding avoidance is a likely reason for kin recognition in this species. These results also suggest that self-referent phenotype matching is not the mechanism of kin recognition for Dwarf hamsters. Publication of this thesis is currently under review.

Planned research involves further assessment of kin recognition mechanisms in Dwarf hamsters. This research is designed to specifically contrast Familiarity and Phenotype- Matching. This research is being developed as my doctoral dissertation project.

Representative Publications

None To Date

Representative Presentations

None To Date

Teaching Experience

G.T.A. Experience- Taught at least one class (period) in each of the following:

● Principles of College Teaching

● Perception

● Developmental Psychology

● Experimental Methods

● Problem Solving and Decision Making

● Cognitive Psychology

Education

● M.S., Psychology: Animal Learning and Behavior, Kansas State University

● B.A., Psychology, University of Southern Maine

● A.A.S., Veterinary Technology, Vermont Technical College