Kelly Stiver

Behavioral ecologist who focuses on the evolution of cooperation, typically by examining cooperative alliances between reproductive competitors. My primary research program focuses on a cooperative but highly competitive wild-living fish (Symphodus ocellatus - the ocellated wrasse). This work is in collaboration with Dr. Suzanne Alonzo at University of California, Santa Cruz, and Dr. Jennifer Hellmann at The Ohio State University. We study various aspects of this species, including personal, environmental, and social factors underlying variation in cooperation, cognitive traits, parental care, and risk taking; the physiological mechanisms of reproductive behavior; spatial navigation; sperm competition; and sexual conflict. We are also conducting comparative analysis among species in the Symphodus group, examining variation among species in reproductive behaviors, physiology, gene expression, and sperm competition. I am also examining kin- and in-group biases in assessment of outcomes of competitive sports, and factors influencing pro- and anti-social behavior in gaming (in collaboration with Dr. Gayle Bessenoff, Psychology Department). B.Sc.(Biology and Psychology major, 1997-2001) McMaster University PhD (Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour: Animal Behaviour, 2001-2006) McMaster University Postdoctoral Associate/Fellow (2007-2011) Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University< Associate Research Scientist (2011-2012) Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University