PhD (2020), Cornell University

BS (2011), Virginia Tech

Email: mr868@cornell.edu

Research Interests:

Specific Interests:
I investigate the ecological impacts and neural mechanisms of spatial ability. I’m interested in how spatial ability (i.e., navigation, learning, and memory) affects individual mating tactics, and how neural mechanisms shape spatial ability and inform socio-spatial decision making.

My approach integrates lab and field techniques to answer proximate and ultimate questions concerning the relationship between spatial memory, neuromodulators, mating behavior, and reproductive success. In the lab I can manipulate and assess parameters such as social recognition, spatial memory, affiliation, etc. And in the field I’m able to observe mating tactics and decisions under semi-natural conditions and quantify reproductive success.

Papers (From the lab):

Rice MA, Galindez SM, Garner JT, Ophir AG (in press) Effects of social and environmental contexts on multi-male mating and mixed paternity in socially monogamous female prairie voles. Royal Society Open Science

Rice MA, Wong GH, Ophir AG (2022) Impacts of spatial learning on male prairie vole mating tactics in seminatural field enclosures are context dependent. Animal Behaviour. 191, 57-73.

Rice MA, Sanin G, Ophir AG (2019) Social context alters spatial memory in free living male prairie voles. Royal Society Open Science. 6. 190743.

Rice MA, Restrepo LF, Ophir AG. (2018) When to cheat: Modeling dynamics of paternity and promiscuity in socially monogamous prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2018.00141.

Rice MA, Hobbs LE, Wallace KJ, Ophir AG (2017) Cryptic sexual dimorphism in spatial memory and hippocampal oxytocin receptors in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). Hormones and Behavior. 95, 94-102.

Gavin presenting at CUP 2019
Sydney presenting at ABS, 2017	Marissa presenting at ABS, 2017
Trapping voles in Illinois, 2015	Marissa at SfN, 2013
Lauren presenting her REU project, 2013	Marissa at ABS, 2013
Gloria at ABS, 2013	Gloria presenting her REU project, 2012