The Human Behavior and Origins (HBO) Lab is committed to fostering a warm and inclusive environment, where all students can thrive in learning and research whilst feeling valued and heard. This commitment is deeply personal to me. As a first-generation, low-income student, I understand firsthand the importance of creating a supportive academic space that values and embraces diversity.

Penn undergraduates interested in research on cooperation, competition, culture, and human evolution can learn more about current research opportunities in the Human Behavior and Origins Lab through CURF. Students may also consult CURF for information about undergraduate research funding and application opportunities.

Coren Apicella, Principal Investigator Associate Professor of Psychology

Email: capicella@psych.upenn.edu

Shelby Weathers, Graduate Student

Interests: empathy, altruism, perspective-taking, self-efficacy

Email: seweath@sas.upenn.edu

Daniel Gurevith, Undergraduate Researcher

Interests: cross-cultural differences, perspective-taking

Email: sdgure@sas.upenn.edu

 

Former Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Scholars

Helena Saven, Undergraduate Researcher

Interests: clinical psychology, perspective-taking, moral decision-making, antisocial behavior

Email: hqsaven@sas.upenn.edu

Dr. Duncan-Stibbard Hawkes, Former Postdoctoral Scholar

Current: Assistant Professor Durham University

Interests: Hadza, egalitarianism, food sharing, subsistence ecology

Email: duncan.stibbard-hawkes@durham.ac.uk

Dr. Kristopher Smith, Former Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Researcher

Current: Postdoctoral Scholar, Washington State University

Interests: Hadza, Kiswahili fisherman, cooperation, social relationships, moral decision-making

Email: kristopher.m.smith@wsu.edu

Dr. Keana Richards, Former Graduate Student

Current: Quantitative User Experience Researcher, Google

Interests: gender differences, risk, person-perception

Email: richards.keana@gmail.com

.

Dr. Megan Williams, Former Graduate Student

Current: Postdoctoral Researcher, Karolinska Institutet

Interests: olfaction, mate choice, body odor

Email: megawill8787@gmail.com