Sean Lyon (he/him)

How do animals which live in groups made decisions together (like where to forage) or individually (like when to disperse away from their group)? How do these processes enhance group cohesion and reproductive potential, and when do they spark conflict? And what do territorial animals do under conditions of extreme flooding?

To address these questions, Sean Lyon studies the ecology of cooperative Southern Ground-Hornbills in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. Using direct observation, biologging, and remote sensing, Sean is exploring the ecological factors that influence behavior with an eye towards the long-term evolution of cooperation and matriarchy in birds.

Kid Sean would think that adult Sean has the coolest job in the world.