Olfactory communication is an important mediator of social interactions in mammals. Odors provide information about an individual’s identity and current social, reproductive, and health status.
Alice C. Poirier
About me
I am a behavioral ecologist with an extensive interest in primate sensory ecology.
I am interested in how animals, in particular primates, use their sense of smell in social interactions and foraging activities. My research integrates diverse fields including animal behavior, biochemistry and evolution.
I am currently a postdoctoral scholar in
Dr Amanda Melin’s lab in the Dept of Anthropology and Archaeology at the University of Calgary.
Curriculum Vitae Publications
Current projects
DEVELOPPING PORTABLE METHODS FOR CHEMICAL ANALYSES IN FIELD CONDITIONS
Since 2017 I have been helping to develop a methodology for the use of the PerkinElmer Torion® portable gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) in the field. This miniaturized GC-MS instrument was originally developed for screening specific volatiles in the fields of environmental science, food manufacturing and chemical warfare, but could prove useful to examine in situ wild animal scents.
Our applications have so far included:
- Differentiating volatile organic compounds from scent-gland secretions of wild callitrichids
- Investigating chemical cues of estrous in female mouse urine
- Exploring changes in tropical fruit odor in relation to their coloration and ripeness, and their use as primate food resource
PHD PROJECT: SCENT-MARKING BEHAVIOR AND SEMIOCHEMISTRY IN NEOTROPICAL PRIMATES
In 2019, I was awarded my PhD from the School of Life Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK, entitled "Scent-marking behaviour and semiochemistry in the Callitrichidae".
Callitrichids (marmosets and tamarins) constitute a good model for the study of olfactory communication, as they make use of a range of odour signals. Callitrichids conspicuously deposit odorous secretions, produced by specialized scent-glands, on branches in their environment, a behaviour called scent-marking. I investigated how environmental, social, and reproductive aspects influence patterns of scent-marking behavior in callitrichids, as well as the chemical composition of scent-gland secretions and urine used to convey chemosignals. My results suggest that chemosignaling plays an important role in the advertisement of identity, reproductive status and dominance in this taxon. My study provides knowledge of mammalian olfactory communication systems, applicable to captive husbandry practices, including conservation breeding programs of rare species.
Download PhD thesis ARU Behavioural Ecology Research GroupField work & courses
FIELD WORK IN THE PERUVIAN AMAZON
I enjoy field work a lot. Searching for traces of the animals' presence in the lush wildforest; following a troop of monkeys for so long that you can differentiate each animal's own personality and start thinking of yourself as a kind of family friend. Packing your backpack in the morning, wondering what new surprises the day will bring you and hoping you are not forgetting anything essential such as your snack or the extra bag of batteries for your GPS! Solving all sorts of technical difficulties as they come, with the means at hands. Making new friends from all over the World and sharing adventures. Field work is challenging, but immensely rewording.
I have spent five years conducting field work and coordinating research assistants at remote field sites in the Peruvian Amazon, collaborating with several great organizations:
Field Projects International 
"Our mission is to protect and study wildlife using hands-on education and innovations in conservation technology"
Amazon Conservation Association & Asociación para la Conservación de la Cuenca Amazónica
"Uniting science, innovation and people to protect the Western Amazon"
Fauna Forever
"Implementing nature conservation strategies, contributing to sustainable livelihoods, and improving our understanding of Neotropical ecosystems"
WWF & San Diego Zoo Global Peru
"Our mission is to save species worldwide by uniting our expertise in animal and plant care and conservation science with our dedication to inspiring passion for nature"
FIELD COURSES
I am a field course instructor in tropical biology and primatology. I enjoy sharing my passion for wildlife with students from all over the world.
Contact
You can send me an email, or contact me via ResearchGate. Thank you!
Find me on ResearchGate