Research
Honor’s College Thesis: The Effects of Age on Mate Choice Across Primate Species and its Correlation to Mating Systems
Abstract: Age can be an important factor in mate choice as it affects experience, access to resources and reproductive value. The hypothesis of this thesis is that in species with long-term mating bonds, males will prefer to mate with younger females whereas in species that mate promiscuously, male will prefer to mate older females. Tackling this question of effect age has on mate choice will help contribute to knowledge on mating behavior and mate choice in primates. The methods for this thesis included gathering evidence from the scientific literature on mate patterns and mate choice in humans (Homo sapiens), chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas), and savannah baboons. Due to the large variation in human behavior across the globe, a cross-cultural analysis is used to draw conclusions regarding how men tend to perceive attractiveness in terms of age and how they choose potential reproductive partners. Similarities and difference in mating patterns and perception of attractiveness in primate are examined. Cross-cultural analysis concluded men generally find youthfulness attractive. Preferences for younger female mates is observed in species that exhibit long-term reproductive pair bonds (humans and hamadryas baboons), whereas preference for older females is observed in species that mate promiscuously (chimpanzees and savannah baboons). Females across all species prefer to mate in way that increase the survival of their offspring. For species with long term pair bonds, this means a preferences for males of high social status, independent of what age. In species that don’t experience long-term pair bonds, this means mating with many males in order to confuse paternity and reduce the risk of infanticide. However, in most primate species (those other than humans), it can be challenging to determine female mate preferences are because of the suppression of female choice through sexual coercion and male-male competition.
Effects of Age and Gender on Risk Perception: COVID-19 as a study model
Abstract: Disease epidemics have historically been used to study risk perception in humans. Yet, there is still limited information on how different groups of people (e.g. age and gender) differ in their risk perception. This study took advantage of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic to study risk perception in a convenience sample. We hypothesized that older individuals and females have higher risk perception compared to younger individuals and males. We developed an anonymous online survey that consisted of 21 questions measuring risk perception in two domains: compliance and fear. The survey was distributed through social media and connections at the University of Minnesota (e.g. class and student groups) between November 9th and November 30th, 2020. A total of 858 completed survey responses were received (Mean age = 25.46 years; 75.29% females). Analyses were performed using JMP version 15. Younger individuals’ self- reported compliance with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines were significantly lower than older individuals (t-test: t858 = 4.91, P < 0.0001). There was no significant difference in fear of the pandemic between sexes (t-test: t858 = 1.32, P = 0.1887). Females self-reported compliance (ANOVA: F2,858 = 5.7811, P = 0.0032) and fear of the pandemic (ANOVA: F2,858 = 31.6580, P <0.0001) were significantly higher than males. Strong predictors of both compliance and fear were subjects’ previous history of COVID-19 (compliance ANOVA: F1,858 = 178.7928, P > 0.0001 ; fear ANOVA: F1,858 = 35.6842, P > 0.0001) and whether or not they believed masks were effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 (compliance ANOVA: F2,858 = 35.6843, P > 0.0001; fear ANOVA: F2,858 = 27.0480, P > 0.0001). In conclusion, age and gender affect risk perception. Additional factors may also affect risk perception during a pandemic, however additional studies are warranted to determine the strength of the associations found in this study.
Typography
I spent an entire semester studying typography. During this period, I created three projects presented in poster form. They were
Science Fair Projects
I preformed science projects all through out middle school and high school. Two projects that I preformed particularly well in, and even qualified for the international science competition (ISEF) were (1) creating a risk calculator (which could be accessed via a website) in order to predict need of a knee replacement revisions and (2) predicting risk of ACL injuries. Both of these studies were centered around statistics analysis. The papers can be found below.