Hi there. Thanks for visiting my website.
My name is Raymond Vagell. I am a primatologist and currently a PhD Candidate at Texas State University in the Anthropology Department.
I am also on the Board of Trustees at Primarily Primates, a primate sanctuary in San Antonio, Texas.
I am currently based in Durham, NC and my research site is at Duke Lemur Center.
My broad research interests include primate cognition, welfare, and enrichment.
Also, I love cats. A lot.
Avatar by Ethan Kocak
Education
2020 - PRESENT
Texas State University
PhD Candidate in Applied Anthropology
Committee: Dr. Jill Pruetz (advisor), Dr. Beth Erhart, Dr. Elaine Chu, Dr. Erin Ehmke, & Meg Dye.
Thesis: Mind Games: Using Cognitive Touchscreen To Reduce Boredom And Increase Welfare In Captive Ruffed Lemurs (Varecia spp.)
2017
Hunter College of The City University of New York
MA in Animal Behavior & Conservation (Biopsychology)
Committee: Dr. Andrea L. Baden (advisor) & Dr. James Gordon
2009
Queens College of The City University of New York
BA in Anthropology
Adviser: Dr. Larissa Swedell
Senior Honors Thesis: A Cross-Species Comparative Study: Grooming Patterns in Captive Populations of Hamadryas Baboons and Geladas
2004
LaGuardia Community College of The City University of New York
AA in Liberal Arts