Official Site of Marquerite Herzog
What I Do
I study the molecular basis of animal behavior.
The involuntary defeat strategy (IDS) suggests that members of the animal kingdom have a genetic-based tactic which is activated when an individual can recognize that defeat in social competition is inevitable. This strategy of losing reduces injury or death and induces submissiveness even in the face of losing valuable resources. Investigating these “loser behaviors” and the consequences complements IDS studies for understanding social behavior within and across species.
Without the study of behavior, fundamental areas of evolution such as adaptation would be difficult if not impossible to understand. I choose to study animal behavior because of the impact my research could make not only in the biological sciences but across other disciplines such as psychology and sociology, environmental science, resource management, and education. Not to mention, studying the genetic components of behavior can bring an integrative and interdisciplinary approach to establishing a good scientific question!
Current Research Projects
The overarching aim of my research is to elucidate the molecular and genetic underpinnings of behavior. My doctoral studies focused on behaviors commonly manifested by the loser of antagonistic interactions. With behavior trials and transcriptome sequencing analysis, the aim was to identify changes in gene expression that correlate with the duration, the related protein synthesis, and the gene regulation of behaviors associated with losing.
The Loser Effect
Across the animal kingdom,
when an individual loses an aggressive conflict, stereotypical loser behaviors such as isolation or submissiveness are often elicited.
These behaviors represent the “loser effect,” the phenomenon that a loser of a single fight will continue to lose subsequent fights. We observed that males enter the loser effect when the first retreat takes place.
Eventually, these losing individuals enter a “loser shutdown” characterized as a complete stop of physical activity unless attacked by another individual.
Cycloheximide Project
We find that losers treated with a protein synthesis inhibitor experience the loser effect but do not adhere to typical loser behaviors. Observations show that the first retreat and loser shutdown is delayed.
Hangry Project
"Behavioral changes when starvation affects aggression: comparing aggression levels of the broad-horned flour beetle, Gnatocerus cornutus"
Will starved individuals increase aggression across time. . .
. . . or would they be too weak to fight?
Under the classic competition hypothesis competitive interactions increase when resource is limited, but the self-assessment strategy offers that a weaker contestant will reach an energy threshold first to accept defeat.
Current Study System
The broad-horned flour beetle,
Gnatocerus cornutus
G.cornutus, is an ideal insect system for behavioral research.
They exhibit behaviors that are typical in systems where male-male contests are frequent. The males use enlarged mandibular horns to fight other males for access to females. And the losers undergo a well-defined loser effect. Following defeat, they retreat, cease normal activities, and remain in a type of malaise for an extended period. Their short development time, low maintenance, and stereotypical aggressive behaviors are perfect for conducting multiple behavior trials.
Prior Research Experiences
October 2015 - July 2016
"The Natural History of Traumatic Brain Injury"
The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC)
Camp Pendleton, CA
February 2014 - April 2015
"Genetic analysis on the California praying mantis, Stagmomantis limbata"
National University College of Letters and Science Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program
San Diego, CA
Jun 2013-Sept 2013
"Coregonid morphometric diversity in Lake Superior"
US Geological Survey (USGS) Great Lakes Science Center
Ashland, WI
Jan 2013-Feb 2013
"California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI) Research Winter Cruise"
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
San Diego, CA
Press Release
Undergraduate Mentee's
The University of Texas at Arlington
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A bit about me
When I was a young child, I enjoyed being outside more than anything else. I had a vivid imagination. There was always an adventure waiting for me to explore. I imagined various scenarios of being stranded and using my knowledge of nature to survive. During my “adventures,” I traveled to distant places, learning about animals and life worldwide and meeting the people who lived there.
I followed through on my life-long dreams of sailing the ocean, seeing the world and becoming a scientist. I served in the US military for ten years as a sonar technician. I lived in Yokosuka, Japan, and San Diego, CA. My travels took me to various places across the Pacific Ocean, such as the Philippines, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Australia, and more. Now I am fulfilling my dream of being a scientist. I get to apply my ideas towards research and ask interesting questions with answers that may one day help others.
Most importantly, as a mom, I now get to explore the world with my little guy. Every moment we spend together hiking or camping or just enjoying the outdoors, I teach him about the ecosystem, the cosmos, and everything in between. These are the best times!
Thank you for visiting my site. Feel free to get in touch with me to say hi or for more information about my work.
Affiliations
Contact Me
Thanks for your interest in my research. Get in touch with any questions or comments regarding my work. I’d love to hear from you.
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