People

Dr Adam L Cronin
Associate Professor

I am interested in the evolution and ecology of social organisms, and how different social systems, and the flexibility inherent in social systems, permits organisms to respond to environmental variation and formulate adaptive responses to life-history trade-offs. To this end I use field and laboratory based studies of hymenopteran model systems (bees, wasps and ants) to examine various questions regarding individual to colony level behavioural strategies in an eco-evolutionary context.

Department of Biological Sciences
Graduate School of Science
Tokyo Metropolitan University
1-1 Minami-Osawa, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
adamcronin[x]gmail.com

Dr Lucas Hearn
Post-doc

My primary research interests are in native bee evolution and utilizing non-model organisms to challenge our understanding of long-held evolutionary theories. I have an interest in using environmental and ecological data to explore social systems in bees. Specifically, I am passionate about theways in which parasites, predators, and climatic factors shape social behaviors in bees. For my PhD I used genomic and ecological data of a non-model Australian native bee species to investigate the evolutionary transition from solitary living to social living in insects. My current research aims to address the effects of climate change on native bees in Japan. I am particularly interested in exploring the role of life-history traits, such as nesting habitat and social behavior, in determining how native bees adapt and respond to the challenges posed by our changing global climate.

Nadhira Afiani Ramadhanty

PhD candidate

I am interested in understanding the mechanism behind collective decision-making in ant colonies. I am focusing on the Pristomyrmex punctatus ant, which is a common queenless ant in Japan. In my master’s, I investigated their individual responses to trail pheromones. Currently, I intend to explore how inter-individual behavioral variability in the ant colony influences collective performance. 

Romain Aulagnier

PhD candidate

I have a great interest in social insects and ants in particular. My previous work allowed me to focus on invasive species. Today, I want to gain a better understanding of their impact on native species and study the plasticity and adaptability of invasive species, which can make them competitive in different environments. I am also interested in the study of island populations and more particularly in the way in which island systems can be a constraint and have an impact on island populations and especially the non native ones. I also want to take advantage of recent modelling methods to gain a better understanding of population movements within the islands. 

Kaito Takenaka

Research assistant

I’m interested in community ecology, especially among insects and plants. I obtained a master’s degree here by studying the native-invasive spp interactions in the pollination community (flowers and pollinators) of Ogasawara Island, Japan. Mainly, I evaluated pollen transport by honeybees (Apis mellifera) using microscopic identification of the pollen species. Currently I am helping fieldwork and other lab stuff, while exploring future PhD opportunities.

Ermae Liprado

Masters candidate

I am interested in studying behavioral ecology, how individuals respond to their environment.

Daisuke Suzuki

Masters candidate

Evolutionary ecology of Green Anoles.

Akiya Sato

Masters candidate

Termite collective behaviour

Asahi Minata

Masters candidate

Ecology of anoles

Fumiko Harakawa

Masters candidate

Behavioural ecology of invasive Cane Toads.

Ryoku Ito

Masters candidate

Collective movements in ants

Jo Funatsu

Masters candidate

Junpei Kurogi

Masters candidate

Tatsuya Motohashi

Masters candidate

Ha Xuan Nam

Masters candidate

Yujiro Kisu

B4 student

I am studying emergent phenomena in collective agents.

Haruma Kishinami

B4 student

Aiko Okubo

B4 student

Hiiro Ito

B4 student

Haruna Ikeda

B4 student