Professor & School of Social Sciences Associate Dean
University of California, Davis, Ph.D., 2002
University of California, Davis, M.A. Anthropology, 1997
University of California, San Diego, B.A. Anthropology, 1994
I am a biological anthropologist with research interests in applied animal behavior and primate behavior and ecology. I have over 20 years of experience studying primate behavior, and have conducted research in Kenya, Grenada, at the San Francisco Zoo, Safari West Wildlife Preserve, and at CRES (Center for Reproduction of Endangered Species) at the San Diego Zoo. I was a Research Associate at Oakland Zoo from July 2015 to January 2022. Most recently, I have been involved in behavioral enrichment research involving ring-tailed lemurs, chimpanzees, and sun bears, as well as a study of the social network of hamadryas baboons.
Biological anthropology, primate behavior and ecology, applied animal behavior, evolution of human and primate behavior
I have been a faculty member in the Anthropology Department at Sonoma State University since August 2002. A dedicated teacher-scholar, I have won several teaching, scholarship, and mentoring awards during my time at SSU, including the SSU Excellence in Teaching Award (2009), an Educational Experience Enhancement Award (2015), and the President’s Excellence in Scholarship Award (2016). In addition to teaching anthropology courses in primate behavioral ecology, evolution of human behavior, human behavioral ecology, and anthropological theory, I was an adjunct faculty member in the Biology Department from 2003 through 2020. I was the coordinator of the Human Development Program from November 2014-May 2020 and the coordinator of the Liberal Studies-Ukiah Program from January 2018-July 2019. I currently serve as the School of Social Sciences Associate Dean.
To view a complete list of all publications and presentations, or download PDFs, please go to my ResearchGate Profile, Academia Profile, or Fresca Profile.
Ghavamian, Y.*, Minier, D.E., & Jaffe, K.E. (2023) Effects of complex feeding enrichment on the behavior of captive Malayan sun bears (Helarctos malayanus). Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. 26 (4): 670-684. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2021.2023874
Jaffe, K.E. (2023) Primate Ecology and Behavior. In: Explorations: An Open Invitation to Biological Anthropology, 2nd Edition. (B. Shook, L. Braff, K. Nelson, and K. Aguilera, eds.). American Anthropological Association, Arlington, VA. (ebook ISBN: 978-1-931303-82-8).
Molinaro, H.G.*, Minier, D.E., & Jaffe, K.E. (2022) Using social network analysis to inform the process of one-male-unit formation of hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) in captivity. Zoo Biology. 41(2):108-121. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21663
Radosevich, L.*, Jaffe, K.E., & Minier, D.E. (2021) The utility of social network analysis for informing zoo management: Changing network dynamics of a group of captive hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) following an introduction of two young males. Zoo Biology. 40(6): 503-516. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21630
Jaffe, K.E. (2016) Malbrouck monkey, Chlorocebus cynosuros. In: All the World’s Primates. (N. Rowe and M. Myers, eds.). Pogonias Press, Charlestown, RI. pp. 472-473.
Jaffe, K.E. & Isbell, L.A. (2010) Changes in ranging and agonistic behavior of vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops) after predator-induced group fusion. American Journal of Primatology. 72: 634-644. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20821
Isbell, L.A., Young, T.P., Jaffe, K.E., Carlson, A.A., & Chancellor, R.L. (2009) Demography and life histories of sympatric patas monkeys, Erythrocebus patas, and vervets, Cercopithecus aethiops, in Laikipia, Kenya. International Journal of Primatology. 30: 103-124. DOI: 10.1007/s10764-009-9332-7
Jaffe, K.E. & Isbell, L.A. (2009) After the fire: Benefits of reduced ground cover for vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops). American Journal of Primatology. 71: 252-260. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20644
Parker, S.T. & Jaffe, K.E. (2008) Darwin’s Legacy: Scenarios in Human Evolution. AltaMira Press, NY. (Named a 2009 CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title)
* graduate student collaborator