© Ulrike Sommer
Dr. Gisela Kopp (she/her)
Research Scientist
Department for the Ecology of Animal Societies
Main Focus
In my research I integrate concepts and
techniques from evolutionary biology, anthropology, behavioural
ecology, and genomics to advance our understanding of the contemporary
and historical processes that contribute to the genetic diversity and
structure of natural animal populations, with a focus on primates but
also extending to other vertebrates.
Research Themes
- Genomic relatedness across the (social) landscape
- Evolutionary dynamics of primate heat resilience
- The role of sociality in diversification
- Biogeographic history of the African savannah biome
- Using non-human primates to unravel ancient biocultural exchange networks
Curriculum Vitae
- Since 2025 Research Scientist, Dept. Ecology of Animal Societies, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour
- Since 2024 ZENiT Fellow, Zukunftskolleg & Dept. of Biology/University of Konstanz
- 2024 (spring term) Harris Distinguished Visiting Professor, Anthropology Department/Dartmouth College
- 2018-2025 Research Fellow, Zukunftskolleg & Dept. of Biology/University of Konstanz, and Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour
- 2016-2018 Postdoc, University of Konstanz and Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Radolfzell
- 2010-2015 PhD in Biodiversity and Ecology, German Primate Center and University of Göttingen
- 2004-2010 Diploma in Biology, University of Göttingen
- 2004-2010 Research assistant, Cognitive Ethology Laboratory, German Primate Center, Göttingen
- 2003/2004
Research assistant, Department of Primatology, Max Planck Institute for
Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig