Danielle J. Whittaker: Phone: Fax: Email: Djwhitta@msu - Edu

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Danielle J.

Whittaker
Managing Director
BEACON Center for the Study of Evolution in Action
1441 Biomedical and Physical Sciences Building
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
phone: (517) 884-2561
fax: (517) 353-7248
email: djwhitta@msu.edu
web: http://www.burroughs-whittaker.com/danielle

Education
2006-2010: Postdoctoral training in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Indiana
University, Bloomington, IN. Advisor: Ellen Ketterson.
1998-2005: Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology, City University of New
York Graduate Center, New York, NY. Advisor: John F. Oates; Co-
advisor: Juan Carlos Morales, Columbia University.
1992-1996: B.A. in Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

Professional Appointments
2010-present: Managing Director, BEACON Center for the Study of
Evolution in Action, Michigan State University.
2010-present: Adjunct Faculty, Department of Biology, Indiana University.
2010: Citizen Science Faculty, Bard College.
2010: Assistant Research Scientist, Department of Biology, Indiana
University.
2006-2010: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Biology, Indiana
University.
2006: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences,
Barnard College.
2005-2006: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology,
Lehman College, City University of New York.
2005-2006: Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology,
Queens College, City University of New York.

Danielle J. Whittaker CV, 1


2003-2005: Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Anthropology, Lehman College,
City University of New York.
2000-2005: Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Anthropology, Hunter College,
City University of New York.

Honors and Awards


Graduate Fellow, New York Consortium in Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP),
1998-2005.
Robert E. Gilleece Fellowship, City University of New York, 1998-2005.
Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship, 2000.
National Merit Scholar, Emory University, 1992-1996.
Phi Beta Kappa, 1996.

Grants
Indiana Academy of Science, November 2009
$3,000
Hormonal regulation of chemical signals in songbirds.
Indiana University Faculty Research Support Program, June 2008
$74,975
MHC-based mate choice in songbirds: mechanisms, hormonal correlates, and
population patterns. Official PIs: Ellen Ketterson, Milos Novotny, and Helena
Soini; project developed and written by Danielle Whittaker. June 2008.
American Philosophical Society Franklin Research Grant, March 2008
$4,000
MHC, odor, and mate choice in a passerine bird.
Indiana Academy of Science, April 2007
$3,000
MHC and mate choice in an isolated songbird population.
Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation, May 2004
$10,580
Using patterns of genetic diversity in Kloss's gibbons to conserve nature and
culture in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia.
NSF Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant, January 2004
$12,000
Evolutionary genetics of Kloss’s gibbons: Grant BCS-0335949. PI: J. C.
Morales.
Primate Conservation, Inc., December 2002
$3,000

Danielle J. Whittaker CV, 2


Conservation biology of Kloss’s gibbons.
Primate Conservation, Inc., December 2000
$3,000
Conservation genetics of Kloss’s gibbons: pilot study.
Conservation International, November 2000
$3,720
Conservation genetics of Kloss’s gibbons in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia.

Publications
Forthcoming Articles
Whittaker, D. J., K. M. Richmond, A. K. Miller, R. Kiley, C. Bergeon Burns, J.
W. Atwell, and E. D. Ketterson. In review. Intraspecific preen oil odor
preferences in dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis). Behavioral Ecology.
Atwell, J. W., G. C. Cardoso, D. J. Whittaker, T. D. Price, and E. D. Ketterson.
Submitted. Testosterone mediates rapid adaptation to a novel climatic
regime in a passerine bird. Science.
Whittaker, D. J., A. L. Dapper, M. P. Peterson, J. W. Atwell, and E. D.
Ketterson. In revision. MHC diversity in a recently diverged songbird
population: evidence for selection mediated by a novel environment, with
notes on the structure of passerine MHC. Genetica.
Atwell, J. W., K. W. Robertson, S. J. Campbell-Nelson, D. J. Whittaker, G. C.
Cardoso, E. D. Ketterson. In revision. Evidence for rapid evolution of
exploratory boldness behaviour following colonisation of a novel urban
environment. Animal Behaviour.

Peer-reviewed Articles
Whittaker, D. J., H. A. Soini, J. W. Atwell, C. Hollars, M. V. Novotny, and E. D.
Ketterson. 2010. Songbird chemosignals: Preen oil volatile compounds
vary among individuals, sexes, and populations. Behavioral Ecology 21:
608-614.
McGlothlin, J. W., D. J. Whittaker, S. E. Schrock, N. M. Gerlach, J. M. Jawor,
E. A. Snajdr, E. D. Ketterson. 2010. Natural selection on testosterone
production in a wild songbird population. The American Naturalist 175:
687-701.
Whittaker, D. J., D. G. Reichard, A. L. Dapper, E. D. Ketterson. 2009.
Behavioral responses of nesting female dark-eyed juncos Junco hyemalis
to hetero- and conspecific passerine preen oils. Journal of Avian Biology
40: 579-583.

Danielle J. Whittaker CV, 3


Whittaker, D. J., J. C. Morales, D. J. Melnick. 2007. Resolution of the
Hylobates phylogeny: Congruence of mitochondrial D-loop sequences with
molecular, behavioral, and morphological datasets. Molecular
Phylogenetics and Evolution 45(2): 620-628.
Whittaker, D. J. 2006. Conservation action plan for the Mentawai primates.
Primate Conservation 20: 95-106.
Whittaker, D. J., N. Ting, D. J. Melnick. 2006. Molecular phylogenetic
affinities of the simakobu monkey (Simias concolor). Molecular
Phylogenetics and Evolution 39: 887-892.
Whittaker, D. J. 2005. New population estimates for the endemic Kloss’s
gibbon Hylobates klossii on the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia. Oryx 39(4):
458-461.

Edited Volume
Lappan, S. and D. J. Whittaker, eds. 2009. The Gibbons: New Perspectives
on Small Ape Socioecology and Population Biology. New York: Springer.

Book Chapters
Whittaker, D. J. 2009. Phylogeography of Kloss’s gibbon (Hylobates klossii)
populations and implications for conservation planning in the Mentawai
Islands. In The Gibbons: New Perspectives on Small Ape Socioecology and
Population Biology, ed. S. Lappan and D. J. Whittaker. New York: Springer,
pp. 73-89.
Whittaker, D. J. and S. Lappan. 2009. The diversity of small apes and the
importance of population-level studies. In The Gibbons: New Perspectives
on Small Ape Socioecology and Population Biology, ed. S. Lappan and D. J.
Whittaker. New York: Springer, pp. 3-10.
Whittaker, D. J. 2009. Saving the small apes: Conservation assessment of
gibbon species at the 2006 Asian Primate Red List Workshop. In The
Gibbons: New Perspectives on Small Ape Socioecology and Population
Biology, ed. S. Lappan and D. J. Whittaker. New York: Springer, pp. 497-
499.
Whittaker, D. J. 2011. Kloss’s gibbon, Hylobates klossii. In All the World’s
Primates, ed. Noel Rowe. Charlestown: Pogonias Press.

Selected Conference Presentations


Whittaker, D. J. Chemical communication without a vomeronasal organ:
parallel evolution in primates and birds? (Poster to be presented at the

Danielle J. Whittaker CV, 4


American Association of Physical Anthropologists annual meeting,
Minneapolis, MN, April 2011.)
Whittaker, D. J., H. A. Soini, N. M. Gerlach, A. L. Posto, M. V. Novotny, and
E. D. Ketterson. The role of steroid hormones in chemosignal production in
songbirds. (Talk presented at the Animal Behavior Society annual
meeting, Williamsburg, VA, July 2010.)
Whittaker, D. J., H. A. Soini, J. W. Atwell, A. Miller, A. L. Posto, M. V.
Novotny, and E. D. Ketterson. 2010. Songbird chemosignaling:
differentiation and detection of volatile compounds by dark-eyed juncos.
(Poster presented at the Association for Chemoreception Sciences annual
meeting, St. Petersburg, FL, April 2010)
Whittaker, D. J., H. A. Soini, J. W. Atwell, M. V. Novotny, and E. D.
Ketterson. 2009. Evidence for chemosignaling in songbirds. (Talk
presented at American Ornithologists' Union annual meeting, Philadelphia,
PA, August 2009)
Soini, H. A., C. A. Hollars, D. J. Whittaker, J. W. Atwell, E. D. Ketterson, and
M. V. Novotny. 2009. Investigations of chemical communication in birds:
comparisons of preen oil volatile compound compositions in different
songbirds by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. (Poster presented
at the International Symposium on Capillary Chromatography and
Electrophoresis, Portland, OR, May 2009)
Whittaker, D. J., D. G. Reichard, and E. D. Ketterson. 2008. Birds smell:
behavioral responses of nesting females to avian odors. (Talk presented
at Indiana Academy of Sciences annual meeting, Evansville, IN, October
2008)
Whittaker, D. J., J. W. Atwell, G. Cardoso, T. Price, and E. D. Ketterson.
2008. Flexibility in mate choice for MHC: a comparison of two ecologically
distinct populations of Dark-eyed Juncos. (Poster presented at
International Society for Behavioral Ecology meeting, Ithaca, NY, August
2008)
Whittaker, D. J. and H. Dooley. 2008. Kloss’s gibbon biology and
conservation. (Talk presented at International Primatological Society
Congress, Edinburgh, Scotland, August 2008)
Whittaker, D. J., J. W. Atwell, G. Cardoso, T. Price, and E. D. Ketterson.
2007. Do Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) choose mates on the basis of
MHC genotype? (Talk presented at Animal Behavior Society annual
meeting, Burlington, VT, July 2007)
Whittaker, D. J. 2007. Evolution of gibbons: resolving the Hylobates
phylogeny with multiple datasets. (Talk presented at Society for
Integrative and Comparative Biology annual meeting, Phoenix, AZ,
January 2007)

Danielle J. Whittaker CV, 5


Whittaker, D. J. 2006. A DNA barcode for the gibbons (Family Hylobatidae).
(Poster presented at Molecular Primatology: Progress and Promise, New
York, NY, March 2006)
Whittaker, D. J., J. C. Morales, D. J. Melnick. 2004. Phylogeographic
structure of Kloss's gibbon (Hylobates klossii) populations. Folia
Primatologica 75(S1): 113. [Abstract] (Talk presented at International
Primatological Society Congress, Torino, Italy, August 2004)
Lappan, S., D. J. Whittaker. 2004. Wild gibbons as members of populations:
new perspectives on small ape socioecology, phylogeography, and
conservation. Folia Primatologica 75(S1): 107. [Abstract] (Symposium
organized for IPS Congress, Torino, Italy, August 2004)

Invited Talks
“Chemical communication and evolution in songbirds.” York College, City
University of New York, New York, NY. 26 April 2010.
“Chemical communication and evolution in songbirds.” University of
Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO. 22 March 2010.
“The junco transcriptome: a genomic approach to songbird evolution,
ecology, and behavior.” Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics
Roundtable, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. 11 March 2010.
“Chemical communication and evolution in songbirds.” New College of
Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, Arizona State University, Glendale, AZ.
1 March 2010.
“Sex, Smells, and Speciation in Songbirds.” Indiana University Kokomo, IN.
24 February 2010.
“Chemical communication in dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis): Do birds use
pheromones?” Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior,
Indiana University, Bloomington, IN. 30 November 2009.
“Chemical communication and reproduction in dark-eyed juncos: do birds
use pheromones?” Mountain Lake Biological Station, Pembroke, VA. 2 July
2009.
“Past, present, and future: Using genetics to understand evolution, behavior,
and conservation of species.” Suffolk University, Boston, MA. 29 January
2009.
“Sex in the city: Inbreeding avoidance, MHC and pheromones in a songbird.”
Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN. 11 November 2008.
“Creating a conservation action plan from primate data: the Mentawai
Islands of Indonesia.” Queens College Anthropology Society, Flushing, NY.
28 November 2005.

Danielle J. Whittaker CV, 6


“Male and female reproductive strategies.” Barnard College, New York, NY.
30 September 2005.
“Identifying and conserving the genetic diversity of the Kloss’s gibbon while
balancing the nature of the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia with the culture
of its people.” The Charles A. and Anne Lindbergh Foundation, New York,
NY. May 2004.
“Conservation biology of Kloss’s gibbons.” As-Syafi’iyah Islamic University
Rafflesia Biology Students Club, Jakarta, Indonesia. 14 January 2004.
“Conservation biology of Kloss’s gibbons.” Jakarta International School,
Jakarta, Indonesia. 15 January 2004.

Press Coverage
Indiana University press release, March 23, 2010: “Could smell play a role in
the origin of new bird species?” Reprinted elsewhere.
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/13820.html
Science Daily, March 24, 2010: “Could smell play a role in the origin of new
bird species?”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100323111555.htm
LiveScience, April 21, 2010: “Songbirds hold secrets of attracting mates.”
http://www.livescience.com/culture/pheromone-songbird-mating-sl-
whittaker-100421.html
Indiana University press release, May 4, 2010. “Natural selection for
moderation in testosterone surprises scientists.” Reprinted elsewhere.
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/14348.html
Science Daily, May 4, 2010. “Natural selection for moderation in testosterone
surprises scientists.”
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100504102126.htm

Science Journalism
Whittaker, D. J. October 29, 2010: “Digital organisms shed light on mystery
of altruism.” http://www.livescience.com/technology/altruism-evolution-
computer-science-bts-101029.html

Teaching Experience
Undergraduate courses taught:
Citizen Science
Introduction to Human Evolution
Introduction to Human Variation

Danielle J. Whittaker CV, 7


Contemporary Issues in Biology
Human Genetics
Animal Behavior
Primate Behavior and Ecology
Graduate courses taught:
Techniques in Reproductive Diversity (co-instructor: taught sections on
field methods, DNA sequencing, and hormone assays)
Professional Ethics for the Bio-behavioral Sciences (co-instructor)

Undergraduate Research Mentoring


Kaitlin Richmond, Hanover College Academic Internship, 2010.
Meelyn Pandit, Indiana University Intensive Freshman Learning Experience
(IFLE) program, 2009.
Allison Miller, Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), 2009.
Rebecca Rice, Indiana University Intensive Freshman Learning Experience
(IFLE) program, 2008.
Elizabeth Schultz, Indiana University Science, Technology, and Research
Scholars (STARS) program, 2006-2008.

Professional Service and Development


Participant in “Science: Becoming the Messenger” workshop, National
Science Foundation, November 2010.
Judge for Women in Science Research Conference, Indiana University, 2008
and 2010.
Responsible Conduct of Research workshop, Fall 2008.
Member of search committee for IU CISAB Core Laboratory manager, Fall
2007.
Judge for South Central Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair,
March 2007, Bloomington, Indiana.
IUCN Red List Assessor at the 2006 Asian Primate Red List Workshop, Phnom
Penh, Cambodia.
Represented NYCEP at 2005 NSF IGERT Project Meeting; presented two
posters, “Conservation biology of Kloss’s gibbons (Hylobates klossii)” and
“Phylogenetic position of the simakobu monkey (Simias concolor).”
"Wild gibbons as members of populations": Symposium organized at the XX
Congress of the International Primatological Society, Torino, Italy, August
2004. (With Susan Lappan)

Danielle J. Whittaker CV, 8


Assisted with the organization and logistics of the Society for Conservation
Biology annual meeting held at Columbia University, New York, NY, July
2004.

Reviewing
Ad hoc reviewer for journals:
American Journal of Primatology
American Naturalist
Animal Cognition
Auk
Biology Letters
Biotropica
BMC Evolutionary Biology
Canadian Journal of Zoology
Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology
Ethology
Evolutionary Bioinformatics
Ibis
Journal of Avian Biology
Journal of the Royal Society Interface
Molecular Biology and Evolution
Molecular Ecology Resources
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution
Naturwissenschaften
Proceedings of the Royal Society B
Reviewer for grants:
Sigma Delta Epsilon/Graduate Women in Science
Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation
National Science Foundation

Membership in Professional Organizations


American Ornithologists' Union
Animal Behavior Society
Indiana Academy of Science
Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology

Languages
English (Native speaker)
Indonesian (Proficient)

Danielle J. Whittaker CV, 9


Spanish (Conversational)

Danielle J. Whittaker CV, 10

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