Are You Afraid of the Dark? Uncovering Climate Stressors and Behavioral Patterns in a Nocturnal Habitat

Slow loris and two images of the field site.

As the night heats up and disturbances encroach, can nocturnal species adapt to survive, or will the shadows betray their secrets? 

Project description

As climate change accelerates, its impacts on wildlife are increasingly evident, particularly among nocturnal species, which remain under explored compared to their diurnal counterparts. This project seeks to investigate how climate stressors—such as rising nighttime temperatures, habitat disturbances, and shifting environmental conditions—affect the behavior and ecology of the slow loris (a nocturnal primate in Asia).

Students will work with the PI throughout the spring semester to review existing data, then travel to the field site in Thailand during the summer to collect data (5-6 weeks). 

Project outcome

  • Student Posters
  • Scientific papers
  • Sorted Datasets

    Students are encouraged to, at the very least, present a poster at a UB or regional meeting but can also participate in writing the final manuscript. 

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment Longer than a semester; 6-9 months
Start time Spring (February 2025)
In-person, remote, or hybrid? In-Person Project (Can only function with in-person engagement)
Level of collaboration Small group project (2-3 students)
Benefits

Stipend

Travel

Research Experience

Who is eligible Freshman, Sophomores and Juniors open to traveling and completing field research; familiarity with Microsoft Excel

Core partners

  • Sakaerat Slow Loris Project, Thailand 

Project mentor

Stephanie Poindexter

Assistant Professor

Anthropology

161 Spaulding Quad (Building 6)

Phone: (716) 645-0427

Email: sapoinde@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

  • Reading relevant articles and book chapters- These will be provided by the PI once approved.
  • Complete required training orientation with PI- Arranged by the PI 

Keywords

Field Research, Behavior, Climate Change, Ecology, Anthropology , Environment and Sustainability