Amy Jacobson Ph.D.

Statement

I am deeply committed to using evolutionary anthropology to educate and expand existing perspectives on important issues such as race, sexual orientation, gender identity, medicine and religion with the expectation that public policy and social norms – informed by science and reason – will lead to better outcomes and a more just and productive future for humanity. My research on mate choice, aggression and violence, in both primates and humans, has broad implications for understanding human behavior – from conflict within an individual to war and genocide between ethnic groups. Comprehending behavior as the culmination of interactions between complex evolutionary processes – genetic, environmental, developmental and adaptive – informs our efforts to create both cultural and biological environments that mitigate negative outcomes. Interpreting behavior as evolved adaptations selected to solve specific ecological problems, allows for a depth (through time) and breadth (across cultures) of understanding that is powerful and informative. Teaching students to view the world using evolutionary logic is imperative to increasing tolerance and empathy towards others. I am currently writing a text book for my course on Human Aggression, which offers insight into how best to effectively interpret and apply this knowledge to encourage pro-social, positive sum engagement, between and within individuals and groups. Currently I am involved in several active research projects. I curate and maintain the data for the Jamaican Symmetry Project (JSP) – a 22-year longitudinal study on Fluctuating Asymmetry in rural Jamaica. This includes a massive amount of unanalyzed data that is extremely diverse and offers many opportunities for undergraduate research. The JSP is currently in the process of obtaining DNA from original subjects and will continue to offer laboratory and field experiences for students in Jamaica.