Dr. Aaron Sandel

Associate Professor

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Biography

Aaron Sandel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on the scientific study of emotions in non-human primates, particularly chimpanzees and mountain gorillas. He has been working for over twelve years in the wild studying chimpanzees in the Ngogo region of Kibale National Park, Uganda. His expertise extends to the behavioral and physiological aspects of primate life, with a keen interest in conservation and comparative methods. Sandel is also the Co-Director of the Ngogo Chimpanzee Project and directs the Primate Ethology & Endocrinology lab. His innovative research combines physiological metrics with new methods for quantifying behavior using video data and machine learning techniques. Besides his research, he teaches several courses related to primate cognition, biological anthropology, and conservation in various semesters. Sandel is committed to furthering the understanding of social bonds and emotions among chimpanzees and has been featured in the Netflix documentary series 'Chimp Empire'.

Research Interests

Courses

Emotions? Biological Anthropology: Behavior, Genetics, and Variation Primate Conservation Origins of Friend and Foe Methods in Primate Biology Primate Cognition

Requirements for University of Texas at Austin

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
GRE General
TOEFL
Total
Required:79
IELTS
Overall
Required:6.5
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • CV/Resume
Specialization Notes

General requirements for the Graduate School at UT Austin apply to all programs unless otherwise specified.