Studying complex social behaviors in sheep using advanced technology
Official title: Towards High-Resolution Neuro-Behavioral Quantification of Sheep in the Field to Study Complex Social Behaviors
Funded at Rice University · NIH-10786956 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how sheep interact with each other, especially between mothers and their lambs, by using special sensors to watch their behavior in the wild, helping us learn more about their social lives in a way that lab studies can't.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rice University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $363,575 |
| NIH project number | 1R34DA059514-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10786956 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research are sheep and their handlers involved in agricultural studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who may not receive benefit from this research include individuals not involved in sheep farming or those with no interest in animal behavior studies.
What this research studies
This research investigates how sheep engage in complex social behaviors in their natural environments. By using high-resolution measurement devices, including head-mounted sensors, the study aims to capture detailed interactions among sheep, particularly between ewes and their lambs. The approach combines field observations with advanced neural recording techniques to understand the underlying neural circuits that drive these behaviors. This innovative methodology seeks to provide insights that traditional laboratory studies cannot achieve.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of social behaviors in animals, which may have implications for animal welfare and management practices.
How similar studies have gone: While this approach is innovative, similar studies in animal behavior have shown promise in understanding social dynamics in other species.
Where this research is happening
-
Rice University
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kemere, Caleb — Rice University
- Study coordinator: Kemere, Caleb
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.