Graduate Spotlight: Suma Mallavarapu
Suma Mallavarapu is a third–year comparative psychology graduate student at Georgia Tech. Supported by a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, Mallavarapu's animal behavior research focuses on the social life of nonhuman primates. Via collaboration with Dr. Maple and Dr. Tara Stoinski (Zoo Atlanta/Georgia Tech Ph.D. 2000), Mallavarapu is the first scientist to examine the phenomenon of post–conflict behavior in Western lowland gorillas. In July 2004, she discussed the results, merits, and challenges of her research.
What sparked your interest in the animal behavior program?
"As an undergraduate, I conducted a study on play behavior in infant Western lowland gorillas at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. In doing the literature review on my project, I came across several publications on captive and wild animal behavior that had come out of the animal behavior program here at Tech. I realized that cutting–edge research was going on in this program, and of course the reputation of Georgia Tech and the School of Psychology influenced my decision as well. I was also aware of the research partnerships with the Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory University and Zoo Atlanta. I knew that such a unique program — a research–oriented university so closely affiliated with a research–oriented zoo — would be hard to find elsewhere."
Why study nonhuman primates, specifically gorillas?
"I personally find nonhuman primates far more fascinating than human primates. Gorillas in particular are such intelligent creatures with such a complex social system that there is still so much out there that needs to be studied about them. Western lowland gorillas are very elusive and have hardly been studied in the wild, so our ability to study groups of them in captivity presents an important opportunity to learn every possible thing we can about them in order to protect them. Gorillas are also closely related to humans, so any knowledge we gain about them helps us better understand human behavior."
Explain your current research focus.
"My current research focuses on post–conflict behavior in the gorillas at Zoo Atlanta. By observing post–conflict behavior, we're able to note whether the animals reconcile, redirect their aggression, or console one another after a fight. Most primates live in social groups in the wild, so competition over limited resources invariably leads to some conflict. In order to maintain harmony in a group, most primate species seem to have developed mechanisms to regulate conflict, so after a fight, they try to "make up"…just like humans do. These reconciliatory behaviors come in different forms. For instance, chimpanzees kiss and embrace, and most monkeys groom each other."
"Gorillas do things a little differently. Even when there is no conflict, they rarely groom or touch each other, so merely sitting within arm's reach of one another might signal reconciliation for them. On the other hand, redirected aggression occurs when a victim of a conflict behaves aggressively toward a third party, while consolation happens when there is some affiliative interaction between a conflict victim and a third party shortly after a conflict. These post–conflict behaviors are thought to reduce individual stress and group tension."
What is the makeup of your research population?
"There are twenty–two Western lowland gorillas at Zoo Atlanta, divided into four groups. I think this is the second–largest collection of gorillas in the United States, so it makes for a good sample size. I'm currently focusing on two groups, but we eventually plan to collect data on all four. I study an all–female group (four adult females and their offspring) and a heterosexual group (one silverback, two juvenile males, two adult females, and one infant)."
How would you sum up a typical day in your life as a graduate student involved in research?
"It's easier for me to focus on research during the summer with no classes. I go to the Zoo almost every day and collect data for a few hours. Apart from observing the gorillas, I am also working with Dr. Tara Stoinski on a post–conflict project with drill monkeys. I sometimes spend my evenings doing data entry and reading up on related literature. It's a busy life!"
Are there any findings you can report thus far?
"We found that Western lowland gorillas do reconcile a significant portion of their conflicts. We also found evidence for both solicited and unsolicited consolation, with solicited being a victim's initiating an affiliative interaction with a third party and unsolicited describing the third party's initiating consolation. This is the first report of unsolicited consolation in this species. As I mentioned before, the main reconciliatory and consolatory behavior was manifested as tolerance of a former opponent in proximity. I was able to present my conclusions at the American Society of Primatologists annual meeting this past June, and that was an excellent venue for this research and a great opportunity for me."
What particular challenges do you face in your research?
"There are some challenges. Gorillas aren't usually very active during the day. They mainly feed and rest, and the younger ones play, so there are days when I just stand there watching for hours without having a single conflict occur, which can get pretty tiring. Unlike some laboratory studies, we can't instigate conflict in a zoo setting. When the study species does have a tendency to fight more—drills, for instance, have a high frequency of conflict—there can be visibility problems. The naturalistic exhibit is full of dense vegetation, so following one focal animal can be challenging. Another problem is, of course, the weather. Conditions can be extremely hot and humid, and the researchers don't have any shade to stand under during long hours of observation."
What do you perceive as the benefits of research partnerships between the Center for Conservation and Behavior and other venues?
"Because the Center is based at Georgia Tech, it has a lot to offer in terms of technology. We were recently able to purchase pocket PCs and data collection software through the Center, and this is a tremendous help in data collection at the Zoo. The Center is also in a position to make it easier for students to make contacts in the scientific community by inviting scientists from different parts of the world to deliver lectures here. The Center's partnerships with other research centers such as Yerkes National Primate Research Center increase the breadth of our scientific collaborations. Donations to the Center fund graduate student research, help students participate in conferences, and allow students to conduct field research in other parts of the world."
Many of our recent graduates have been recruited by major zoological institutions (Lincoln Park Zoo, National Zoo, San Diego Zoo, etc.). What are your plans after graduate school?
"I would prefer to teach at a university that is closely affiliated with a zoo, just like the situation here between Georgia Tech and Zoo Atlanta. I'd like to teach in a psychology or zoology department while conducting research in a zoo."
How do you think your research can be used to further knowledge of animal behavior in captive environments, as well as understanding of the species and conservation efforts?
"Obviously, the more we know about these animals, the more likely we are to be able to understand and help them. I think basic research like mine will help increase our knowledge of the species. As far as gaining a better understanding of animal behavior in a captive setting, I think it's always good to know whether gorillas are reconciling their conflicts in a way that maintains harmony in a group. We might find that certain group compositions don't work very well because of age or personality differences. Since maintaining a captive population requires zoo management to make decisions about forming social groups, any knowledge of these interactions and dynamics will help those in the zoo community make better decisions."