"The RTG [Research Training Grant] has made it simple for me to work in other labs to pursue interests related to my current research. I have been able to use laboratory space and equipment that would be inaccessible at other university."

"Traditionally this [an integrative approach] is discouraged, in effect, by the need to concentrate on one area in order to get ahead.... integrated means understanding different approaches to your research, and utilizing these approaches where possible.... the point made (by John Phillips in Behavioral Ecology class) is pertinent: good research is done that's not integrative, but being integrative allows one much more flexibility in adapting to future career opportunities.... I have two co-advisors and participate in the activities of both labs. In the Ketterson/Nolan lab I have learned a behavioral ecological approach; in the West/King lab, a developmental approach. Both approaches and their accompanying tools and techniques compliment my research experiences, and are allowing me to study birdsong in ways that have rarely been possible."

"The Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior has been instrumental in my progress towards completion of this project. In addition to funding, they have also provided equipment and an outlet for presentation and discussion of my results. As a result of my interaction with CISAB I will graduate from Indiana University with a more diverse research "tool box" including behavioral observation techniques in the laboratory and in the field, visual neurophysiology, and biological modeling using a non-human based visual color space model. This interdisciplinary training will equip me to carry out future investigations of the mechanisms underlying important evolutionary processes."

"This year I have spent some time in the laboratory of Dr. Dale Sengelaub learning histological techniques for the analysis of avian brains and gonads. This type of training is particularly useful in that it provides additional insight into physiological limitations of behavior, and in doing so, provides realistic expectations for naturally occurring behavioral phenotypes."

"I am very grateful to CISAB and its members for guiding my research at IU. When developing ideas for my thesis research, I sought out a number of RTG faculty and students who were very willing to help me -- to remind me of previous research related to my ideas, to work through problems of methodology, and to even review manuscripts for me. I appreciate the support CISAB and its members have given me. And, I wish the program continued success in the future."

"We are genuinely grateful for the research and fellowship support the RTG has awarded us, and for the excellent training we have received from the professors involved in this program. By training us to study animal behavior through an integrative approach, you have inspired us to pursue exciting, novel and valuable research."

"My experience in the Biology Department at IU has been extremely fulfilling intellectually and this is in large part due to the RTG."

"Once a person has an idea of how they want to pursue a question, the next step is tot talk to faculty members in order to fine tune ideas into a research experiment-- ... the most important reason for the wide forum of ideas and disciplines that CISAB provides. Investigations in behavior rarely cover only one scientific discipline, and many times require multiple branches of research to properly address the ... question. At many universities, different departments keep mostly to themselves, [limiting] communication for scientists with similar interests... working in different areas.... [CISAB provides a] dialogue among the biology, medical, psychology, and neuroscience departments..."

"The Animal Behavior Program was a major contributing factor to my choice of graduate programs. Now, after four years, the amount that the program has helped me -- academically, intellectually, and financially -- is immeasurable."

"The REU [Research Experience for Undergraduates] program is a tremendous asset -- I think the interns learn a great deal and being a mentor has been very rewarding for me, and has helped me develop as an instructor."

"The Animal Behavior Program is unique - a truly collaborative effort which generates innovative research and sharing of ideas. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of CISAB."

"It's been wonderful and has definitely allowed me to be more integrative in my research approach."

"I would like to see more fields brought in to the definition of "integrative". There seems to be a huge focus on behavior-neuroscience. Yet there are many perspectives out there. For example, the research I am working on crosses between behavior and molecular biology / genetics."

"Indiana University's Program in Animal Behavior (and the funding that has been available through this program) have not only been essential in allowing me to carry out my dissertation work, but the Program has also had a strong hand in shaping my research into an integrated study of the behavior, morphology, physiology, development, and evolution of background matching in larval two-lined salamanders. Without the support of this Program in Animal Behavior, my research would not have been possible or had the same scope of study."

"In addition to stimulating my research goals, these people [visiting speakers] were a resource for advice and discussion on science and the graduate student."

"The speakers were most useful in that they broadened my perspective, and help me understand how my research might be approached through different ways."

"The [speaker] series showed wonderfully the power of an integrative approach to the study of behavior, from ecological demands on animals to the physiological manner in which solutions to ecological problems are solved."

"Because of the well chosen range of seminar topics I think the different seminar series as a whole helped broaden my perspectives on Animal Behavior. It was wonderful to be kept abreast of current issues in the various areas by bringing in leading researchers in each field. It is good to have a broad range of knowledge in the field of Animal Behavior; even if the information cannot be directly applied to one's research at the time, it is quite possible that at some later time the information learned might be directly applicable.... My research was stimulated by a number of the invited speakers and I enjoyed having the opportunity to meet [individually] with a number of them... I benefited from these interactions by learning more about their work and I further benefited as the speakers often had enlightening suggestions about facets of my research, leading me to consider new perspectives and possiblities."

"The seminar series on Parental Behavior and Ontogenetic Transitions was most relevant to my research and most helpful to me. I met with virtually every seminar speaker and often received helpful input regarding my project."

"I learned a great deal from the many excellent speakers who visited the Neuroethology seminar course (Fall 1993). Although the focus was not in my area of research, I learned a lot."

"During the Parental Behavior and Ontogenetic Transitions seminar (one academic year) I probably met with 90% of the speakers.... To some extent each one of the visiting speakers affected my research directions.... at the beginning of my graduate career I was fairly naive and what I needed was exposure to diversity in the field of animal behavior. Having such a survey [speaker series] allows students to identify areas of interest and disinterest that they had not yet encountered in their previous experience."

"The A501 guest speaker series are such a great way to keep in touch with the field. Keep them coming! Also, I really enjoyed serving on the steering committee this past year; it gave me a new outlook on the program."

"The [program required] courses... have opened my range of interpretation and analysis."

"Evolution, Sex Seminar, and Hormones and Behavior [seminars] have greatly included my research. Specifically, I have added a level of histology to my current research as a result of taking the Hormones and Behavior class.... the seminar on sex broadened my perspective on Animal Behavior. It made me realize the level of integration that goes into behaviors. Previously, I was just interested in the behavioral product; however, the seminar expanded my knowledge and interest in the mechanisms behind behaviors."

"Developmental Psychobiology [seminar]: One important change was in my way of thinking about life histories. At different periods in their lives, individuals occupy different niches and can essentially be thought of as different organisms. This view allows one to remain open to different interpretations of the function of specific behaviors, which may differ depending on the stage in which they are observed."

"I recently sat in on the Hormones and Behavior class which I found very rewarding. I have been considering a post-doctoral position in neural science, and decided to take this class to gain hands on experience in the field and see if I really enjoyed this type of work. I also have considered using RIA [radioimmunoassay] in one of my current experiments, so this class was particularly applicable to my current interests. I thought the class was wonderful because it offered hands-on experience which I believe is the best way to learn about other fields and understand how another field can be applied to your own work. This experience provided by the RTG has truly reached one of the goals of the program... to inspire an integrative approach."

"I am convinced that meeting with invited speakers through RTG seminars much have helped me refine my project.... the flexibility of most of the courses allowed me to pursue aspects related to my research in the frame-work of the courses' discipline."

"Behavioral Ecology [was] a very useful course for considering ultimate explanations of behavior. Developmental Psychobiology ... was influential in the development of my research ideas concerning ontogeny of behavior, as well as proximate bases of behavior."

"Through these courses I have come to appreciate research that attempts to explain phenomena at more than one level. Indeed it is difficult for me to think about research in my field, mate choice, without thinking about questions concerning the underlying mechanisms that may be responsible for a given effects. I am positive I would not have thought about research this way had it not been for the RTG and the seminar courses offered by it."
"The special symposium at ABS [the Animal Behavior Society meetings] on Behavioral Neuroendocrinology turned out to be my favorite session from any meeting I have attended, and I'm sure I would have avoided it had I not been exposed to this type of research through the RTG."

"Course requirements ... provide a strong foundation of information in a number of different areas. Courses such as 'Ethics' allow young researchers to discuss issues that they would otherwise not have the time to pursue; topics such as possible effects research might have on society, current issues like cloning, and ethical concerns about animal testing. However, ... the greatest benefit afforded by these classes is the use of the broad base of information provided in course work, allowing a researcher to consider a question from the viewpoint of a psychologist, or a neurophysiologist, or an ethologist, and then proceed with an investigation in the most effective approach...."

"RTG funding has been very important to obtaining supplies, deferring field expenses, and hiring assistants. My two semesters of fellowship [stipend] allowed me to make great advances in my research and examine the system I study during a very important period (early spring). Several crucial findings about song use come from this period."

"[Funding has] made it much easier to work in multiple labs. I am able to add new techniques and use expertise from different labs."

"The RTG has had a major effect on the courses and research of many of the people in my incoming class of graduate students (now in our second year). We have never been without it and depend upon it for many of the facilities, courses, and funding opportunities that drive our work."

"The funding certainly facilitates research because the recipient does not have the responsibility of teaching when they receive an RTG assistantship and therefore can devote much more time to research."

"RTG funding and an RTG Research Assistantship have been crucial to my research. They have provided me with a stipend for the 1993-1994 academic year, an opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico for research in the field with Leo Fleishman, and much of my laboratory equipment."

"[Money I received ] in research support... was used to purchase equipment and supplies without which I could not have performed my research thus far. In fact, the relative availability of this type of support was a major factor in choosing IU for graduate study. In addition, the RTG has financially assisted my attendance at several [professional] meetings, all of which offered a chance to interact with other graduate students and professors in my field."

"I have received both fellowship support (3 semesters) and research support (7 semesters) from the RTG.... this support... has been the major reason for my ability to finish my thesis research in 3 and 1/2 years."

"As a post-doctoral researcher, I am grateful for the support from CISAB in the form of an RTG Assistantship. This support has made it financially feasible for me to learn new molecular techniques that will allow me to determine gene flow in populations of endangered birds. The use of mtDNA analysis will allow me to detect behavior and its constraints on evolution using a new mode of discovery."

"The RTG / CISAB has been extremely supportive of my work and has enabled me to explore avenues of research which would have been difficult to attempt without the financial support and, most importantly, the research assistantship positions I have received as a member. In particular, this semester I will be able to visit my field site during the height of the frog breeding season due to my current research assistantship. Since the season peaks during spring semester, this field work over an extended period of time is not possible while I teach. My project has become increasingly complex as I have delved deeper into the study system I am focused on. Without the support of the RTG, I might possibly have switched from this project to another due to the unforeseen complexity but the support of the RTG has been responsible for my ability to continue work on this intriguing project given the time constraints of my degree."

"Funding through the RTG has allowed me to travel to conferences and interact with other scientists. On a local level, it has provided for broader interaction with other scientific programs on campus."

"I received a research support award from the RTG to fund my 1998 field season. This grant money was used to pay for my room and board while at Mountain Lake Biological Station (MLBS), in Virginia, and covered the purchase of some research equipment. The RTG award enabled me to conduct an extremely productive field season, which has provided me with data for at least three chapters of my dissertation. I was also able to execute several pilot studies that have helped me to design my current research program. In addition, I received a fellowship... which enabled me to analyze most of my data from my 1998 summer field season, and begin to get my data into publishable form. I also received travel money from the RTG program that allowed me to present some of my work at the Evolution meetings in Vancouver, Canada this past summer (June 1998). I was able to make many useful contacts during these meetings. I would not have been able to afford to go without the help of the CISAB Program's RTG Funding. These awards have greatly enhanced my research program and allowed me to accomplish more than I thought possible during my graduate career here at Indiana University."

"I would like to thank the RTG for its generous and continued support of its members. Both the RTG and the Center are two valuable assets to students like me. The support has allowed me to conduct quality research and without the constraints of teaching... an absolute treasure. Thank you!"

"Thank you very much for awarding me a summer fellowship. The fellowship will allow me to focus entirely on research this summer -- the best season to study threespine stickleback! I appreciate the fantastic support I've received from the Research Training Group in Animal Behavior. And, I appreciate the effort you've spent reviewing and evaluating my research proposals."

"I think students get the most out of available funds for research fellowships, and money to bring speakers in to talk.... Also, I know several students who really have relied on RTG fellowship and Travel awards - those are very much needed."

"... money CISAB provides is beneficial for both short and long term goals, because the money can immediately be applied to research currently underway, and it also gives PhD candidates practice in writing grant proposals for resources that will only become more and more competitive as their career progress."

"I frequently use the computers, the video equipment, hold meetings at CISAB, and have an office there. The Center is an ideal place to get work done because it contains so much analysis equipment and is an extremely quiet place to think and write."

"I am currently writing a manuscript and using a desk at the Center as my quiet area to focus on this writing. I think it is wonderful to have a place like this where I can work ... with none of the distractions that surround my desk and office space in Jordan Hall. The computer facilities at the house [CISAB] are extremely nice, and it's great to have a consultant right on hand if you need help. I really think the Center provides a great setting to get some serious work done."

"I have really enjoyed being associated with CISAB. I have particularly enjoyed the courses, such as Dr. Albert's kinship series, and find the speakers very stimulating and informative. The whole atmosphere of the RTG house [Center] is conducive to learning and discussion. I wish I had joined the RTG earlier."