Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology
Domestication Lab
Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences
University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna
Dörfles 48
2115 Ernstbrunn

E-Mail an Jim McGetrick

ResearchGate; Mendeley
 

Research

My research began in the field of reproductive biology. I focused primarily on understanding the influence of mammalian female reproductive tract glycans on mammalian sperm motility, migration, and storage. In addition to understanding these basic biological processes, I was interested in the potential pharmacological and technological applications of these interactions. My interests were also more general, biologically, and extended to the potential relevance of such interactions to evolution, sexual selection, sperm competition, and cryptic female choice.

My research focus has since shifted from reproductive biology to cognition and behaviour in non-human animals. In particular, social cognition and behaviour interests me and currently I am investigating the psychological processes and factors that drive cooperation and inequity aversion, using domestic dogs as a model species.

Research Interests

• Social cognition
• Social behaviour
• Cooperation
• Sperm motility and migration
• Reproductive strategies and sexual selection

Current Projects

“Investigating the proximate mechanisms underlying reciprocity in dogs.” Funded by an Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) DOC fellowship and the Austrian science fund (FWF) as part of the Doctoral College “CogCom2: Cognition and Communication”. Supervisor: Ass.-Prof. Priv.-Doz. Friederike Range. PhD committee: Ass.-Prof. Priv.-Doz. Friederike Range, Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Thomas Bugnyar, and Prof. Dr. Leonida Fusani.

Teaching

I previously taught as an assistant on a Biochemistry module and a Problem-Based Learning module for undergraduate students of veterinary medicine in University College Dublin.

More recently, I taught classes on Cooperation, Social Systems, and Genes & Behaviour on the module “Introduction to Animal Behaviour”, and moderated discussion groups on the module “Introduction to Animal Cognition”, for Master’s students on the IMHAI programme at the Messerli Research Institute.

I co-supervise IMHAI Master’s students on research projects as part of the module “Into Science”, as well as Master’s and Bachelor’s students on their main research projects.

Public Outreach

I have given talks, on my research with domestic dogs, to primary school children (also as part of the KinderUni OÖ) to promote their interest in biological sciences. I also regularly assist in guided tours of the Clever Dog Lab which includes photoshoots for newspaper articles and demonstrations and interviews for television programmes.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

2017-present	PhD student at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
2016	MSc., Reproductive Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Supervisor: Dr. Colm Reid
2012	BSc., Pharmacology, School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Supervisor: Dr. Colm Reid Thesis title: Characterisation and Profiling of Sialic Acid-Binding Ig-like Lectins (Siglecs) on Mammalian Sperm

 Positions and Research Experience

2016	Research Assistant, Clever Dog Lab, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, and University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
2016	Research Internship, Clever Dog Lab, Messerli Research Institute, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Medical University of Vienna, and University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
2012	Research Assistant, Mucin Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

Prizes and awards

2018	Best Talk; 5th European Student Conference on Behaviour and Cognition, 6th-7th September 2018, Vienna, Austria
2018	Best Poster (presenter and co-author with Martina Lazzaroni); European Conference on Behavioural Biology, 9th-12th August 2018, Liverpool, UK

Publications

Publications