Nanda Grow

  1. Scholarly Assistant Professor – Career
Email Addressnanda.grow@wsu.edu
LocationCollege Hall 378
Phone509-335-4807

Biography

Education

PhD, Texas A&M

Research Interests

Areas: Biological Anthropology, Behavioral Ecology, Evolutionary Ecology, Primatology

Topics: High altitude adaptation, Bioacoustics, Tarsier evolution, Antipredator strategies, Edge Effects, Sexual Selection, Phenotypic Specialization, Conservation

I am an evolutionary and behavioral ecologist who is broadly interested in how natural selective pressures shape the behavior and biology of primates, especially in the context of marginal and human-modified environments. I am most interested in answering questions about the ecological, morphological, social, and genetic context for primate adaptations. Of particular interest to me is the evolutionary history of tarsiers, a unique group of haplorrhine primates that, compared to monkeys and apes, have not undergone a large amount of diversification; they’ve remained remarkably unchanged for millions of years, and are useful models for exploring early primate evolution. I also study primates that are considered “specialized,” which are a contrast to the “generalist” model for many apes and humans.

My research is primarily based in Indonesia. The bulk of my fieldwork has been Sulawesi; the biogeography of this large island reflects great diversity in plants and animals, including primate populations. One focus of my ongoing research is to understand the behavior and ecology of montane “pygmy” tarsiers (Tarsius pumilus) in Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi. I find this particular species fascinating because it is the only exclusively montane species of tarsier.  How primates adapt to life at higher altitudes is particularly important now that lowland habitat is diminishing, and populations shift their ranges to higher elevations.

Some past topics I have investigated include the function of venom in Javan lorisid primates (a defense mechanism against both predators and parasites); the effects of forest edges on montane tarsier density and distribution (tarsiers have a biased distribution near roads when food density is low); and the function of communicating at ultrasonic vocal frequencies (body size effects and crypsis).

Outside my typical areas of research, I am interested in actively diversifying biological anthropology in both teaching and research, which can help dismantle the racist foundation that our discipline was built upon.

If you are interested in working with me, please email me and we can set up a time to chat!

Current Research

  • High Altitude Ecology and Constraints
  • Population Density and Distribution in Anthropogenically Altered Habitat
  • Evolution of Vocal Frequencies

I am currently researching questions about traits that are considered specialized, including high-frequency vocalizations, using a narrow ecological niche such as mountaintops, and the evolution of secondary sexual characteristics in resource-poor environments.

Courses

  • 101 [DIVR] Introduction to Anthropology 3 Explores what it means to be human through the major subfields of anthropology, including biological anthropology (human evolution and variation), archaeology, sociocultural anthropology, and linguistics.
  • 260 [BSCI] Introduction to Biological Anthropology 4 (3-3) Evidence for human evolution; evolutionary explanations of human variation; techniques of biological anthropology.

Representative Publications