A doctoral student from Stony Brook University has received a notable grant from the Leakey Foundation to study primates in coastal Kenya. Alex Chege, a PhD candidate in the Department of Ecology and Evolution and an associate at the Turkana Basin Institute, was awarded the Dissertation Fieldwork Grant. This funding will primarily be used to purchase GPS collars for tracking female vervet monkeys on Kiwayu Island, part of Kenya’s Lamu Archipelago.
Chege expressed that receiving this grant is "very encouraging and very validating" for his research. Dino Martins, director of the Turkana Basin Institute, stated, "TBI is very proud of Alex winning this grant." He emphasized that understanding primate behavior in challenging environments can provide insights into past survival strategies.
The new grant builds on previous support Chege received, including fellowships from the Safina Center and Leakey Foundation. His research focuses on how vervet monkeys adapt to coastal habitats by using marine resources such as crabs and seaweed. With guidance from advisor Catherine Markham and mentorship from Richard Leakey during initial stages, Chege's work aims to explore primates' spatial ecology.
H. Gregory from the Leakey Foundation remarked that they are "proud to support early-career researchers like Alex," noting his contribution to understanding human origins and evolution.
Chege's study holds significant implications for conservation efforts as it sheds light on poorly studied coastal primate populations facing threats from development. His fieldwork began with challenges but has since become more organized with established routines for observing monkey families on Kiwayu Island.
Despite initial difficulties in habituating the animals, Chege now collects detailed behavioral data using technology like tablets and GPS. He noted that while his wanderlust remains unchanged, his research approach has become more structured over time.