Faculty & Staff Directory

Jeffrey French, PhD

French

  • Professor and Director, Neuroscience Undergraduate Program
  • 402.554.2558
  • AH 418 E
  • Email: jfrench@unomaha.edu

Teaching

Research Methods, Introductory Lab, Animal Behavior

Research

Reproductive physiology and behavior, vocal communication in primates

Education

PhD: University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (1978-1982).Ph.D. in Psychology (August, 1982); C. T. Snowdon, advisor.

Masters: Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA (1976-1978). M.A. in Animal Behavior; D. K. Candland, advisor.

Undergraduate: St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN (1972-1976). B.A. with Distinction in Psychology

Appointments
  • Varner Professor of Psychology and Biology, 2000 – present
  • Kayser Professor of Psychology, 1992 - 1998
  • Professor, Psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1991- present
  • Adjunct Professor, Biology, UNO, 1991- present
  • Associate Professor, Psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1985-1991
  • Adjunct Associate Professor, Biology Department, UNO, 1985-1991
  • Assistant Professor, Psychology, UNO, 1982 -1985
  • Adjunct Assistant Professor, Biology, UNO, 1983 -1985
  • Visiting Scientist, Centro de Primatologia do Rio de Janeiro, 1990
  • Affiliate Scientist, Physiological Ethology Program, Wisconsin National Primate Center,Madison, WI, 1988 - 2000
  • Affiliate Scientist, Southwest National Primate Center, San Antonio, TX, 2002 – present
  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Zoology, Michigan State University, 2000 – present
  • Adjunct Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, 2009 – present
Funded Grants/Contracts

Current

National Institutes of Health, Institute of Child Health and Human Development, “Parenting, Sibling Support, and Development”, Jeffrey A. French, PI. $1,900,000, 1 July 2002 – 30 June 2015.

National Science Foundation, Ecology Cluster. “Developmental Phenotypic Plasticity in Spotted Hyenas”, Kay Holekamp, Michigan State University, PI, Jeffrey A. French, co-PI, $450,000, September 2008 – August 2012.

National Science Foundation, Social and Behavioral Cluster. “Biological Substrates of Political Behavior”, John R. Hibbing, University of Nebraska, Lincooln, PI, Jeffrey A. French, co-PI. $500,000, October 2008 – 2011.

  • University of Nebraska Foundation. “Enhancements to Endocrine Bioservices and Aquatic Toxicology Laboratories”. Co-PIs Jeffrey A. French and Alan Kolok. $122,000, April 2010 – March 2012.

Past support

  • National Science Foundation, Graduate Research Fellowship. Jeffrey A. French, Sponsor. Awarded to Adam S. Smith, $121,500, 6/1/08 – 5/31/10
  • National Institute of Health, National Center for Research Resources “Baboon Model for Primate Maternal Behavior”, Linda Brent, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research, PI; Jeffrey A. French, co-PI. Cumulative award, $2,250,000. December 1998 – November 2008.
  • Nebraska Game and Parks. Contract for evaluating fecal glucocorticoids in bighorn sheep. Jeffrey A. French, PI. $7,300. 1 January 2008 – 30 June 2008.
  • National Science Foundation, Integrative Organismal Biology, “Early Hormone Effects on Male Parental Care in Voles”, Joseph Lonstein, Michigan State University, PI; Jeffrey A. French, co-PI. $300,000, 1 July 2005 – 30 June 2008.
  • National Science Foundation, Integrative Biology and Neuroscience, “Socioendocrinology of Cooperative Offspring Care”, Jeffrey A. French, PI. $400,000, 15 March 2001 – 14 March 2006.
  • National Science Foundation, “Mammalian Sibling Rivalry”, Kay Holekamp, Michigan State University, PI: Jeffrey A. French, co-PI, Steve Glickman, University of California, Berkeley, co-PI, Laura Smale, Michigan State University, co-PI. Cumulative award, $610,000, September 1999 to March 2006.
  • National Science Foundation, Physical Anthropology, “Demographic Change and Reproductive Skew in Cooperative Breeding Primates” J. M. Dietz, University of Maryland, PI; Jeffrey A. French, co-PI, A. Baker, Philadelphia Zoo, co-PI. Cumulative award $420,000, 15 July 2002 – 30 June 2005.
  • National Science Foundation, “Family Stability in Cooperatively Breeding Primates”, J. A. French co-PI (with James Dietz, University of University of Maryland, College Park and Andrew Baker, Philadelphia Zoo), Total award $235,000, Jan 1998 –Dec 2000.
  • National Science Foundation, Integrative Biology and Neuroscience, “Socioendocrinology of Cooperative Breeding”, Jeffrey A. French, PI, $180,000, August 1997 - February 2001.
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney Corporation, “Establishment of an Enzyme Immunoassay Laboratory”, $39,000, May 1998 –May 1999.
  • NEXT Nutrition, Whey Protein Extracts and Athletic Training, (subcontract to J. A. French), September 1997 to June 1998, $23,745.
  • National Science Foundation, EPSCoR, " Adaptation/Mechanism Interface in Behavioral Biology". $2,950,000, July 1993 to June 1998. Alan C. Kamil, Jeffrey A. French, and 5 other PIs.
  • National Science Foundation, Integrative Biology and Neuroscience, "Socioendocrinology of Behavior", Jeffrey A. French, PI, $100,000, September 1992 to December 1994
  • National Science Foundation, Conservation and Restoration Biology, "Socioendocrinology of Reproductive Behavior", Jeffrey A. French, PI, $50,000, August 1990 to December 1992.
  • National Science Foundation, "Research Enhancement for Undergraduates Supplemental Award”, $3,480, June 1991 to May 1992.
  • National Science Foundation, ILI Equipment Grant, "Microcomputer‑Based Experimental Psychology Laboratory", $29,000, May 1991 to May 1993.
  • J. M. Cattell Foundation, "Comparative Endocrinology and Behavior of Lion Tamarins", $17,000, January 1990 to December 1990.
  • National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Development, "Social Regulation of Reproductive Development", Jeffrey A. French, PI, $68,144, September 1987 to August 1989.
  • University of Nebraska Foundation, "Micro‑analytical and Immunological Assay Laboratory Equipment", $47,000, April 1987 to March 1988.
Honors and Awards
  • 1984, Distinguished Service to the University of Nebraska, awarded by Board of Regents
  • 1985, NSF Travel Stipend to attend International Ethological Conference in Toulouse, France; one of 20 stipends awarded.
  • 1986, NSF Travel Stipend to attend International Primatological Society meeting in Gottingen, FRG; one of 17 stipends awarded.
  • 1992-98, Named Chair, Frederick Kayser Professor of Psychology, University of Nebraska at Omaha.
  • 1996, received Award for Distinguished Research/Creative Activity from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, one award per year.
  • 1990 – 1996, Treasurer and member of Board of Directors of American Society of Primatologists.
  • 2000 – 2006 President-elect, President, and Past-President of American Society of Primatologists.
  • 2002, Received Outstanding Research/Creative Activity Award, University of Nebraska (one award in natural sciences per year for entire NU system (UNMC, UNL, UNOmaha, UNK)
  • 2001 – 2007, Named Chair, D.B. and Paula Varner Professor of Psychology and Biology
  • 2007 – 2013, Renewal of Named Chair, Varner Professor of Psychology
  • 2010, Best Peer-reviewer Award, Editorial Board, Hormones and Behavior

  • Invited Talks at National/International Conferences and Major Invited Colloquia

  • French, J.A. Sex steriods throughout the lifespan in male marmosets. Presented at Invited Symposium on "Private Models of Reproduction" American Society of primatologists, Austin TX, Sepember 2011.
  • French, J. A. Neurobiological substrates of family life in marmoset monkeys. Presented at Neuroscience Colloquium Series, Macalester College, St. Paul, MN, April 2011. French, J. A. Family life in marmosets. Presented at Midwest Family Systems Conference, Kansas City MO. February 2011.
  • French, J. A. Social buffering and stress reactivity. Presented at Midwest Family Systems Conference, Kansas City MO. February 2011.
  • French, J. A. Stress reactivity in marmosets: stability, social buffering, and the origins of individual differences. Presented at University of Nebraska, Lincoln Psychology Department Collowuium, Sept, 2010
  • French, J. A. Social mediation of stress responses in marmosets. Presented at University of South Dakota School of Medicine, December 2009.
  • French, J. A. Regulation of parental care in marmosets: genes, hormones, and experience. Presented at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, April, 2008.
  • French, J. A. The choreography of parental care in cooperatively breeding primates. Presented at Neuroscience Seminar Series, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, April 2008.
  • French, J. A. Causes and consequences of variation in offspring care. Presented at Anthropology Research Series, University of Calgary, March 2008.
  • French, J. A. Beautiful-hair monkeys: Twenty-five years at the adaptation:mechanism interface. Invited Keynote Address at American Society of Primatologists, Winston-Salem NC, June 2007.
  • French, J. A. Parental care in marmosets: stories of steroids and chronicles of chimerism. Presented at UC Davis Animal Behavior Lecture Series, April 2007.
  • French, J. A. The study of family systems using primate models. Presented at Grand Rounds, Department of Psychiatry, Creighton University Medical Center, March 2005
  • French, J. A. Hormones and parental care in marmosets. Presented at McGill University, Montreal Canada, May 2005
  • French, J. A. Individual differences in marmoset vocalizations: Origin and function. Presented at Neuroscience Colloqiuim Series, Departments of Psychology and Zoology, Michigan State University, East Lansing MI., April 2005
  • French, J. A. Signature systems in marmoset vocalizations. Presented at School of Biological Sciences Colloquium Series, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, September 2005.
  • French, J. A. Sex and Stress: Coming of Age in Male and Female Marmosets, J. A. Invited to present at the annual meeting of the Sociedade Brasileria de Primatologia (Brazilian Primatological Society), Belo Horizonte, Brasil, July 2004.
  • French, J. A. Using Biological Markers in Research on Social Development. Invited presentation at Midwestern Social Development Consortium, Omaha NE, May 2004.
  • French, J. A. Patterns of infant care in marmoset families. Presented at Evolutionary Studies and Psychobiology Colloquium, Binghamton University, Binghamton NY, November 2003.
  • French, J. A. Biparental Care in Marmosets: Endocrinology and Energetics. Invited Plenary Address at Human Behavior and Evolution Society, Lincoln NE, June 2003.
  • French, J. A. Noninvasive endocrine monitoring: the new behavioral endocrinology. Presented at Congresso de Integração em Biologia da Reprodução. Riberao Preto, Brazil, April 2003.
  • French, J. A. The choreography of cooperative offspring care in marmosets. Presented at Brain and Behavior Colloquium, Michigan State University, September 2002.
  • French, J. A. Research and conservation of New World primates. Presented at Environmental Sciences Training Program, Wayne State University, October 2002.
  • French, J. A. Who’s watching the babies and why? The endocrine and behavioral dynamics of biparental care. Presented at Colloquium on Mind and Behavior, University of Chicago, April 2001.
  • French, J. A. Cooperation and conflict within marmoset families. Presented at the Center for Family Health, Kansas City, MO, March 2001.
  • French, J. A. Family structure in human and nonhuman primates. Presented at Clinical Retreat, Georgetown Family Center, Georgetown, D.C., March 2001.
  • French, J. A. Reproduction and behavior in marmosets and tamarins. Presented at First International Symposium on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) for the Conservation and Genetic Management of Wildlife. Omaha NE, January 2001
  • French, J. A. Hormone-behavior interactions in primates. Invited keynote address at Brasilian Society of Zoology Caxambu, Brasil, August 1998.
  • French, J. A. Socioendocrinology of cooperative breeding in marmosets. Invited address at Society of Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, Atlanta GA, June 1998
  • French, J. A. Development, dominance and domestic life: analysis of social effects on male reproductive function in black tufted-ear marmosets. Invited address at VII Congress of the Brasilian Primatological Society, Joao Pessoa, Paraíba, Brasil, August 1997.
  • French, J. A. Female reproductive endocrinology in Leontopithecus. Presented at the Population and Habitat Viability Assesment Workshop, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil, May 1997.
  • French, J. A. Stress and captivity: what do we know. Invited Colloquium at College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, October 1996.
  • French, J. A., Smith, T. E., & Schaffner, C. M. Sources of variation in the contexts and mechanisms of reproductive suppression in callitrichid primates. Presented at International Primatological Society, Madison WI, August 1996.
  • French, J. A. Socioendocrine factors in reproduction: the case of cooperatively breeding mammals. Invited address at Southwest Psychological Association Meeting, San Antonio Texas, April 1995.
  • French, J. A. Reproduction in callitrichid primates: lessons from the lab. Presented as Keynote Address at National Conference of the American Association of Zookeepers, Omaha Nebraska, October 1994.
  • French, J. A. The intruder studies in captive callitrichid primates: Are they models of intergroup encounters or immigration encounters. Presented at Symposium: The Intruder Study in Primatology. XIVth Congress of the International Primatological Society, Strasbourg, France, August 1992.
  • French, J. A. The behavioral endocrinology of captive breeding in Leontopithecus and Callithrix. Presented at Symposium: Biology and Conservation of the Primates of Brazil's Mata Atlantica. XIVth Congress of the International Primatological Society, Strasbourg, France, August 1992.
  • French, J. A. The regulation of reproductive function in nonbreeding group members in cooperatively breeding mammals. Presented at Symposium: Cooperative Breeding in Mammals, Animal Behavior Society, Kingston, Ontario, June 1992.
  • French, J. A. Social behavior and reproductive biology in marmosets and tamarins. Presented at Psychology Department Colloquium, University of Kansas. Lawrence, KA, March 1992.
  • French, J. A. Socioendocrinology of reproduction in callitrichid primates. Presented at Behavioral Endocrinology Seminar Series, University of California, Davis. Davis, CA, February 1992.
  • French, J. A. Physiological and behavioral manifestations of rank and reproduction in female callitrichid primates. Presented at American Society of Primatologists, Davis, CA, July, 1990.
  • French, J. A. Reproduction in captive golden lion tamarins. Presented at Leontopithecus Population Viability Workshop, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil, June, 1990.
  • French, J. A. Social regulation of reproduction in monogamous primates. Presented at International Academy of Sex Research, Minneapolis, MN,August, 1988.
  • French, J. A. Female‑female reproductive competition and its manifestations in callitrichid primates. Presented at International Primatological Society, Brasilia, Brasil, July, 1988.
  • French, J. A. Comparative aspects of ovarian function in Callitrichidae: Leontopithecus and Saguinus. Presented at International Primatological Society, Gottingen, FRG, July 1986.
  • French, J. A. Encounters with unfamiliar conspecifics in the laboratory: What do species and context differences reveal about callitrichid social structure? Presented at International Primatological Society, Gottingen, FRG, July, 1986.
  • French, J. A. Social regulation of fertility: Causes and consequence. Paper presented at Special Invited Session on Psychobiology of Sex and Parenting, Midwest Psychological Association, Chicago, IL, May, 1986.
  • French, J. A. Social regulation of fertility: Causes and consequences. Presented at International Ethological Conference, Toulouse, France,August, 1985.
  • Snowdon, C. T. & French, J. A. Breeding endangered callitrichids in captivity. Presented at Congress of the Brasilian Society of Primatology, Belo Horizonte, Brasil, December, 1983.
  • Snowdon, C. T., French, J. A., & Cleveland, J. Ontogeny of primate vocalizations: Models from bird song and human speech. Presented at International Primatological Society, Atlanta, GA, August, 1982.
  • French, J. A. & Snowdon, C. T. Endocrine and behavioral correlates of reproductive competence in Saguinus oedipus. Presented at the International Primatological Society, Atlanta, GA, August, 1982.
  • French, J. A. & Candland, D. K. The genesis of object‑play in Macaca fuscata. Presented at Animal Behavior Society, University Park, PA, June, 1977.

Contributed Papers at National/International Conferences

  • Over 250 contributed presentations at conferences with students and colleagues

Professional Activities

  • President, American Society of Primatologists, 2002 – 2004
  • Editorial Board Member, Hormones and Behavior, 1998 – present.
  • Editorial Board Member, American Journal of Primatology, 1996 – 2004.
  • Editorial Board Member, Journal of Comparative Psychology, 1996 – 2003.
  • Board of Directors, Member, American Society of Primatologists, 1990 to 1996; 2000 to 2006.
  • Treasurer, American Society of Primatologists, 1990 to 1996.
  • Chair, Membership/Finance Committee, American Society of Primatologists, 1990 to 1996.
  • Chair, Evaluation Team for NSF Travel Grant to XIIth International Primatological Society, Brasil, 1988.
  • Conservation Committee, Member, American Society of Primatologists, 1984 to 1988.
  • Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Member, University of Nebraska, 1985 - present.
  • Animal Welfare Committee, Chair, University of Nebraska at Omaha. 1997 - present
  • Advisor, Neotropical Primate Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), 1995 – present
  • Chartered Member, Initial Review Group at National Institutes of Health (Neuroendocrinology, Neuroimmunology and Behavior, 2001- 2006)
  • Grant Review Panel for National Science Foundation, Integrative Biology and Neuroscience, 1998-2001; 2002 – 2005)
  • Chair, Behavioral Neuroscience Fellowship Panel (F02A), National Institutes of Health, June 2006 – 2011.

Ad Hoc Reviewer

  • American Journal of Primatology
  • American Journal of Physical Anthropology
  • Animal Behaviour
  • Behavioral and Brain Sciences
  • Behavioral Neuroscience
  • Behaviour
  • Hormones and Behavior
  • International Journal of Primatology
  • Journal of Chemical Ecology
  • Journal of Comparative Psychology
  • Physiology and Behavior
  • Zoo Biology
  • Grants for National Science Foundation
    • ·Animal Behavior Program
    • ·Physical Anthropology Program
    • ·Oceanography Program
    • ·Social, Economic, and Behavioral Sciences Program
  • Grants for NATO International Science programs
  • Grants for L. S. B. Leakey Foundation

Professional Affiliations

  • AAAS
  • American Society of Primatologists
  • Animal Behavior Society
  • American Zoological Association
  • Captive Breeding Specialist Group
  • International Primatological Society
  • Sigma Xi
  • Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology
  • Taxon Advisory Group (TAG), Neotropical Primates
  • Society for Neuroscience