Prof. Lee Koren

I study animal behaviour, hormones that are linked with social behaviours, and the evolutionary outcomes associated with hormones and with behaviours. In my research, I explore ‘non-traditional’ steroids, such as androgens in females and corticosterone in cortisol-dominant mammals, in the frameworks of behavioural ecology and comparative endocrinology.  I am interested in the life history of wild vertebrates in their natural environment, especially in mate choice, reproductive success, parenting and risk-taking behaviours and consequences. I also study the effects of endogenous, social, and anthropogenic stressors on individuals, groups, and populations.

Fields of interest:

Wildlife hormones and social behaviour

 - Parental behaviour

 - Testosterone, risk-taking, aggressive behaviour, and fitness

 - Female mating behavior and sex differences in hormone dependence

 - Steroid hair- and feather-testing in wildlife

 - Comparative endocrinology

Behavioural Ecology

 - Life history traits and trade-offs

 - Courtship and mating

 - Operational sex ratios

 - Social organization

 - Acoustic communication

 - Sperm competition

Conservation

 - Human impact on wildlife

 - Acoustic pollution

 - Interactions between domesticated or introduced animals and wildlife

 - Endocrine disrupting chemicals