Students, Trainees & Members of the Engaged Research in Bioacoustics Lab
Cornell: Undergraduate students
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Gus Dupin, Animal Sciences (Anthropology minor), class of 2026
I started working with Wendy in Fall 2023 by writing a literature review on passive acoustic monitoring of primates. Since then, I have worked on a variety of projects. Currently, I am using machine learning to create an automatic detector for orangutan long calls. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in primatology, studying orangutans. In my free time I enjoy hiking, playing soccer, running, and playing Pokémon and board games. |
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Claire Wu, Interdisciplinary Studies (Education Technology), class of 2027
Hello! I am an RA who has been a part of the Nusantara project since Spring 2024. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I led the creation of a children's book in collaboration with our Indonesian community partners and graduate students across the globe. As a Rawlings Scholar, I look forward to developing an interactive database of biocultural knowledge and creating more educational materials with our Indonesian partners (stay tuned!). |
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Kate Rodger, Cognitive Science, class of 2027
Hi! I'm a research assistant and Laidlaw Scholar who joined the Nusantara team in the summer of 2024. Currently, I am working on the development of community-centered outputs related to the biocultural heritage of the Nusantara area. In my free time, you can find me paddling, making art, and listening to music. |
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Jaden Salett, Environmental Science & Biological Sciences, class of 2027
Hello! I am an undergraduate Research Assistant interested in avian bioacoustics and population trends in bio-culturally significant species. I am currently working on a project monitoring the presence of bio-culturally significant species across Indonesian Borneo. In the future, I hope to work on projects involving evolution of vocal repertoire in response to habitat loss or increased human population in Borneo. Outside of research, I really love birdwatching, photography and audio recording, van-living, volleyball, and reading. |
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Carver Hauptman, Environment & Sustainability, class of 2027
Hi, I'm an undergraduate research assistant focusing on annotating bioacoustic data surrounding bioculturally significant species in and around Nusantara, as well as working through a literature review of the impacts of noise and air pollution on animal species due to the construction of Nusantara. Outside of class and work, you can find me birdwatching, foraging (especially for fruits and berries), hiking, and taking care of my plants. |
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Bruce (Zichen) Wei, Environment & Sustainability, class of 2028
Hi! I am an undergraduate research assistant broadly interested in the mechanisms of ecosystems and how they respond to anthropogenic changes, merging scientific insights for conservation applications through the emerging tools of bioacoustics. My current work with Wendy entails probing BirdNET’s performance in detecting pittas and broadbills in the soundscapes of Borneo, which could further develop into an investigation of how these taxa respond to anthropogenic changes on temporal and spatial scales. In my free time, I love birdwatching and playing soccer! |
Cornell: Visiting researchers
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Junaydy Michael Angelo Ginting, Payne Fellow 2024-2025
I first encountered bioacoustics while working as the Biodiversity and Monitoring Coordinator at Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari in early 2022, and I’ve been captivated by this challenging field ever since. After graduating in biology from USU, I spent 6 years as an Orangutan Adaptation Trainer and Field Database Manager at the Sumatran Orangutan Reintroduction Center in Jambi. As a Payne Fellow, I’ve been able to deepen my knowledge of bioacoustics and build valuable connections. I also have a photographic memory, particularly for identifying Sumatran amphibians and recognizing orangutan faces. In addition, I am a writer, creating science fiction novels on plant consciousness. |
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Esther Adinda, Payne Fellow 2024-2025
Hi! I am a Senior Research Assistant at the Little Fireface Project and part of Yayasan Konservasi Satwa Nokturnal Nusantara. Being a night owl pairs perfectly with my work observing the Javan slow loris :) I am very honored to be the first cohort of Payne Fellowship! My journey into bioacoustics started around 2022 when we used Echo Meter Touch 2 during night observation to identify ultrasonic calls from the Javan slow loris. I found bioacoustics fascinating, as there is still limited information about nocturnal primate vocalizations. During this fellowship, I plan to develop detectors for the Javan slow loris call and also expand my knowledge in captive research and husbandry. |
Beyond Cornell: Graduate students
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Kristen Morrow, Ph.D. candidate, Integrative Conservation & Anthropology, U Georgia
My research brings together natural and social science approaches to find pragmatic and equitable solutions for primate conservation in Indonesia. In collaboration with Universitas Gadjah Mada and Borneo Nature Foundation, my dissertation focuses on human and nonhuman communities in Central Kalimantan's Rungan River Landscape. Combining ethnographic engagement, passive acoustic monitoring, and forest surveys, I aim to understand how both people and primates respond to ongoing, rapid landscape change. The goal of this work is to better understand how community forestry initiatives may support local livelihoods while providing habitat protection for threatened primate species. In addition to research, I enjoy youth science outreach, gardening, hiking with my family, and chasing my toddler. |
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Ali Owens, Ph.D. student, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter
My research applies bioacoustics and AI to study spatial ecology of endangered species in Borneo. This builds on previous methodological research to answer novel ecological questions and facilitate tropical forest wildlife conservation. I look forward to engaging with local expertise in bioacoustics in Central Kalimantan, enabling collaborative and integrative research projects. Whenever I have a free weekend, I’ll be freediving, hiking or camping… and listening to music! |
Beyond Cornell: Mungku Baru Bioacoustics Team
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Indah Sartika Sari, Bioacoustics Coordinator 2023-2024, Mungku Baru
I am the former Bioacoustics Coordinator in Education & Research Forest along with Universitas Muhammadiyah Palangkaraya, also leading the sound library initiative in Central Kalimantan. I have a master's degree in conservation and biodiversity from the University of Exeter and bachelor of Forestry from Universitas Tanjungpura. I am passionate about wildlife conservation, where my biggest hope is to contribute to make wildlife and humans live side by side in peace, through research, community awareness, and education. When I am not in the forest, I enjoy outdoor activities and sports, especially mixed martial arts, but enjoy cooking and Netflix too. Oh I also love taking photos of wildlife! |
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Ebrry Dwi Putra, Bioacoustics Coordinator 2024-2025, Mungku Baru
I am the Bioacoustics Coordinator at Mungku Baru Education & Research Forest and started working with Dr. Wendy in July 2024. Since joining the team, I am very excited to learn and explore bioacoustics. I have a dream to contribute to bioacoustics research, build bioacoustics relationships and share my knowledge and experience with local schools and universities as well as local communities, especially in Central Kalimantan. In addition, I also hope to know all the sound produced by wild animals, especially in the Mungku Baru KHDTK area. In my spare time, I enjoy badminton, futsal and learning about photography. |
Former Trainees & Alumni
2025 Nigel Williams, B.S. (Environment & Sustainability), investigating the impacts of noise pollution on wildlife in Nusantara, Cornell University
2024 Fredie Poznansky, Ph.D. thesis in Environmental Intelligence, University of Exeter
2024 Jacob Berman, B.S. (Environment & Sustainability), developing an automated detector for male gibbon songs, Cornell University
2024 Avhan Misra, B.S. (Computer Science & Operations Research), developing an automated detector for Bornean orangutan long calls, Cornell University
2024 Alasdair Owens, MRes thesis in Biosciences, University of Exeter: "The application of passive acoustic monitoring to study a population of white-bearded gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) in a heterogeneous mosaic forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia"
2023 Kaylin Barefoot, B.S. (Animal Sciences), passive acoustic monitoring in primates, Cornell University
2023 Haley Kazenacki, postgrad internship, Borneo Nature Foundation: "Vocal complexity in the long calls of Bornean orangutans"
2023 Whitney Ross, postgrad internship, Borneo Nature Foundation: "Vocal complexity in the long calls of Bornean orangutans"
2022 Jessica Lecorchick, B.S. student research, wildfire smoke affects orangutan long calls, Rawlings Presidential Research Scholar, Cornell University
2020 Amrit Hingorani, B.S. student research, propagation loss and detection distances of the long-distance calls of Borneo's apes
2020 Hannah Green, MSc. thesis in Zoo Conservation Biology, Plymouth University, "Using Bioacoustics to assess bird species richness across different habitat conditions in a Bornean Rainforest"
2020 Ashley Lauria, MSc. thesis in Primate Conservation, Oxford Brookes University: "Acoustic characteristics of long calls by wild flanged male Bornean orangutans"
2020 Dea Volcanjk, B.S. Einaudi student internship, Cornell University: "Megacity migration: Indonesian capital relocation media analysis"
2020 Emily McGrath, B.S. Einaudi student internship, Cornell University: "Social science based soundscape research"
2018 Asy Falah, B.S. thesis in Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada: "Prevalence of Entamoeba sp., Dientamoeba sp., and Iodamoeba sp. based on age of Kalimantan orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) at the Tuanan Orangutan Research Station"
2018 Putri Dwi, B.S. thesis in Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada: "Prevalence of Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium sp. based on age of Kalimantan orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) at the Tuanan Orangutan Research Station"
2018 Rahmadila Rahardiani, B.S. thesis in Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada: "Prevalence of Balantidium coli, Endolimax nana and Isospora sp. based on age of Kalimantan orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) at the Tuanan Orangutan Research Station"
2016 Larissa Salaki, M.S. thesis in Biology, Universitas Indonesia: "Vocal communication of maroon langurs Presbytis rubicunda in Sabangau forest Central Kalimantan"
2016 Emily Martines, B.S. thesis in Anthropology, Rutgers University: "Environmental and Social Influences on Flanged Male Orangutan Long Calling Behavior at the Tuanan Orangutan Research Station in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia"
2010 Sybil Baby, M.S. internship in Applied Mathematics and Statistics: "Relationship of Environmental/Physical Variables to Dawn Calling Behavior in Simakobu Monkeys"
2025 Nigel Williams, B.S. (Environment & Sustainability), investigating the impacts of noise pollution on wildlife in Nusantara, Cornell University
2024 Fredie Poznansky, Ph.D. thesis in Environmental Intelligence, University of Exeter
2024 Jacob Berman, B.S. (Environment & Sustainability), developing an automated detector for male gibbon songs, Cornell University
2024 Avhan Misra, B.S. (Computer Science & Operations Research), developing an automated detector for Bornean orangutan long calls, Cornell University
2024 Alasdair Owens, MRes thesis in Biosciences, University of Exeter: "The application of passive acoustic monitoring to study a population of white-bearded gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) in a heterogeneous mosaic forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia"
2023 Kaylin Barefoot, B.S. (Animal Sciences), passive acoustic monitoring in primates, Cornell University
2023 Haley Kazenacki, postgrad internship, Borneo Nature Foundation: "Vocal complexity in the long calls of Bornean orangutans"
2023 Whitney Ross, postgrad internship, Borneo Nature Foundation: "Vocal complexity in the long calls of Bornean orangutans"
2022 Jessica Lecorchick, B.S. student research, wildfire smoke affects orangutan long calls, Rawlings Presidential Research Scholar, Cornell University
2020 Amrit Hingorani, B.S. student research, propagation loss and detection distances of the long-distance calls of Borneo's apes
2020 Hannah Green, MSc. thesis in Zoo Conservation Biology, Plymouth University, "Using Bioacoustics to assess bird species richness across different habitat conditions in a Bornean Rainforest"
2020 Ashley Lauria, MSc. thesis in Primate Conservation, Oxford Brookes University: "Acoustic characteristics of long calls by wild flanged male Bornean orangutans"
2020 Dea Volcanjk, B.S. Einaudi student internship, Cornell University: "Megacity migration: Indonesian capital relocation media analysis"
2020 Emily McGrath, B.S. Einaudi student internship, Cornell University: "Social science based soundscape research"
2018 Asy Falah, B.S. thesis in Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada: "Prevalence of Entamoeba sp., Dientamoeba sp., and Iodamoeba sp. based on age of Kalimantan orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) at the Tuanan Orangutan Research Station"
2018 Putri Dwi, B.S. thesis in Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada: "Prevalence of Giardia intestinalis and Cryptosporidium sp. based on age of Kalimantan orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) at the Tuanan Orangutan Research Station"
2018 Rahmadila Rahardiani, B.S. thesis in Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada: "Prevalence of Balantidium coli, Endolimax nana and Isospora sp. based on age of Kalimantan orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) at the Tuanan Orangutan Research Station"
2016 Larissa Salaki, M.S. thesis in Biology, Universitas Indonesia: "Vocal communication of maroon langurs Presbytis rubicunda in Sabangau forest Central Kalimantan"
2016 Emily Martines, B.S. thesis in Anthropology, Rutgers University: "Environmental and Social Influences on Flanged Male Orangutan Long Calling Behavior at the Tuanan Orangutan Research Station in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia"
2010 Sybil Baby, M.S. internship in Applied Mathematics and Statistics: "Relationship of Environmental/Physical Variables to Dawn Calling Behavior in Simakobu Monkeys"
