In the summer of 2003, the New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP) won an NSF-IGERT grant of approximately $3.86 million for integrative graduate research and training in evolutionary primatology and for the reinvigoration and reorientation of NYCEP, a graduate research and training program funded for the past 10 years by an NSF Research Training Groups (RTG) award. Eric Delson, Director, NYCEP, is the principal investigator. A prominent anthropologist, Professor Delson also serves as Coordinator for Physical Anthropology, Ph.D. Program in Anthropology, CUNY Graduate Center; Chair, Department of Anthropology, Lehman College, CUNY; and Research Associate, Department of Vertebrate Paleontology, American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).
In drawing faculty from The City University of New York (CUNY), Columbia University (CU), New York University (NYU), the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH), and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), NYCEP represents a rare combination of public and private universities together with privately endowed (and publicly assisted) institutions dedicated to bringing science to the public. The consortium links over 45 faculty whose research perspectives on human and nonhuman primates include comparative morphology, paleontology, systematics, molecular and population genetics, behavior, ecology, and conservation biology. NYCEP students take courses in all these areas, attend seminars drawing on the staff of all five institutions, and have multiple opportunities to conduct original research at field sites, laboratories, and museums. Since 1992, with the benefit of previous NSF funding, NYCEP has trained 110 students (including 63 women and 15 from groups underrepresented in science) and has awarded 50 Ph.D.s. Many graduates have obtained high-profile positions in universities, zoos, and industry.
Already unique for the range and diversity of courses and research opportunities that it offers graduate students, with the additional IGERT funds, NYCEP will be able to implement a series of innovative educational, curricular, and research initiatives. Building upon its past successes, the consortium will increase emphasis on the following areas: 1) professional development through a new course covering the ethical conduct of science, oral and written communication skills, grant application, and job search; 2) student participation in international field research on behavioral ecology, conservation, and paleontology; 3) public awareness, through an annual conference to showcase NYCEP activities and improve science literacy and interest; and 4) outreach to undergraduate, especially minority, students through interaction with college science programs on local campuses and elsewhere.
The IGERT award will provide support for the training of a cohort of talented graduate students who would not otherwise benefit from this integrative program. Together with associated university financial aid, the award will support over 35 new students and fund about 180 student-years of graduate education.
http://research.amnh.org/nycep