Eyes in the Dark: Amanda Rowe’s Research Earns Prestigious Recognition
Amanda Rowe, a recent PhD graduate from Stony Brook University’s Interdepartmental Doctoral Program in Anthropological Sciences (IDPAS), has been honored as a finalist for the Chancellor’s Distinguished Dissertation Award.
Reflecting on this recognition, Rowe expressed her surprise and gratitude: “It’s a crazy feeling and an honor. So many people have done amazing work, and to be recognized at the top means people appreciate my work.”
Rowe’s academic journey is filled with diverse experiences. Her undergraduate studies focused on entomology, where she worked extensively with insect collections. However, she’s had a longstanding dream to study primates. This aspiration led her to pursue a master’s degree in primate behavior at Central Washington University.
Following her studies on primate behavior, she worked in China with large monkeys, which further solidified her interest in primatology. Combining her knowledge of insects and primates, Rowe decided to focus her graduate research on primates with insect-rich diets. At Stony Brook, she focused on lemurs, looking to understand their dietary habits and their environments.
Rowe had planned to begin her dissertation research just before the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced a 1.5-year delay. Once in the field, she had to establish a brand new research camp in Zombitse-Vohibasia National Park (ZVNP), Madagascar. This research presented some unique challenges: Because of the nocturnal nature of her study subjects, she spent every night looking for and studying these lemurs. All while managing a team of 30 individuals, including local community members and international scientists.
Reflecting on her time in ZVNP, Rowe noted the different aspects of what she liked and disliked: “There were phases of how much you loved it. Integrating with the community was sometimes difficult, but also rewarding.” She immersed herself in the local culture, staying with host families in the community and camping in the forest. These experiences provided her with invaluable insights into local practices and the region’s biodiversity.
One memorable incident during her research involved a close encounter with a lemur: “I was in my tent between shifts when a lemur fell through my tarp, stared at me for a few minutes, and then ran away.” These kinds of unique moments made the tough days a bit easier to push through for Rowe.
After over eight months in the ZVNP, transitioning back to the U.S. presented its own set of challenges. Adjusting to the rhythm of daily life, from sleeping in tents outdoors to then everything being indoors, was a significant change. Rowe experienced counter-culture shock, noting differences such as the frequency of showers and the types of food consumed. She also appreciated not having to lead a team constantly, finding peace in the relative ease of daily life back home.
After completing her dissertation, her advisors suggested nominating her for the President’s Award at Stony Brook. “Amanda conducted research of exceptional merit, research that bridges anthropology, evolutionary biology, ecology, molecular biology, and conservation,” shared her advisor, Andreas Koenig, professor in the Department of Anthropology and associate dean for finance and strategic planning in the College of Arts and Sciences. “In addition to her excellent track record, performing significant and exciting work, she is a role model for her students and collaborators and is committed to service to the university, the discipline, and the community. She truly deserves this honor.”
Following the department’s nomination, she compiled a proposal package, including her CV, abstract, dissertation, and recommendations. The university then nominated her for the SUNY award, prompting her to prepare another application.
Rowe’s research is pioneering in its application of genetic methods to understand lemur diets. She authored a paper that has garnered numerous citations, highlighting the efficiency of genetic approaches over traditional observational methods. Her work has advanced science but it’s also opening avenues for other researchers and local scientists to study and learn about the environment in ZVNP.
Currently, Rowe is a postdoctoral associate at the University of Colorado Boulder, collaborating with the Museum of Natural History. She will continue her work in Madagascar, looking to build a comprehensive ecological network and perform simulation experiments to understand how removing species affects the system of organisms. She is also working with local leaders to see where their goals are for conservation of the land. Her future aspirations include becoming a curator for a museum or zoo or becoming a professor.
To current graduate students seeking recognition or aiming to conduct impactful research, Rowe advises: “Do what you love. Be ethically conscious — do your best! Getting a PhD or conducting difficult research isn’t all about being smart; it’s more about perseverance and not giving up — be stubborn. Know you’ll get there eventually; you might have to switch paths. It doesn’t have to be perfect — a PhD is a PhD.”
Amanda Rowe’s journey exemplifies dedication and a passion for discovery, serving as an inspiration for aspiring researchers in all fields.