Winkler has already taken two groups of students to Nicaragua and needed funds to further develop the course. Course development will include reconnaissance, capture, marking, and release of free-ranging howling monkey groups. The marking of individual primates will facilitate recognition of them for field projects and assist in establishing group demography. The course teaches students how to do field work exposing them to the adventure and rigors of primate studies in the wild. While developing and implementing field projects, students learn how to write a research proposal and to implement and modify it.
Students have to grapple with a number of research issues.
In addition to enhancing her students understanding of field ecology, the course will immerse them in the cultural diversity of Nicaragua, where they will experience everything from its third-world poverty to the friendship of its people. Winkler s interests include primate conservation, primate behavior and genetic variability, and cultural diversity. She has taught at Pitt for 12 years. All Rights Reserved.