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Maria Creighton

Student
Biology

Overview


As a formally trained conservationist and behavioral biologist my research interests bridge ideas from both these disciplines. One of my primary research interests is understanding why sociality evolves, and how social behaviors help animals to navigate environmental challenges. To answer these questions, I leverage individual, group, and species -level data on wild animal populations to determine how the social and physical environments interact in their effects on fitness-related outcomes at various evolutionary scales.

Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations


Recent Scholarly Works


Species-level variation in primate social behavior is correlated with climate extremes and variability

Preprint · June 17, 2026 ABSTRACTCooperatively breeding species are disproportionately found in extreme and unpredictable climates globally, suggesting that cooperation is beneficial to persistence in climatically challenging condi ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Inferring Causal Links Underlying the Relationship Between Longevity and Sociality

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEPI-Fellow · Awarded by L.S.B. Leakey Foundation · 2026 - 2027

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External Links


Personal website