Background
Dr. Janet Mann is a Professor of Biology and Psychology at Georgetown University and formerly served as Vice Provost for Research (2013-2017). Originally from Long Island, Dr. Mann earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Brown University. While at Brown, she joined the Primate Lab and gained experience as a research assistant studying baboons in Kenya. Dr. Mann later obtained her Ph.D. in Psychobiology at the University of Michigan, where she first became involved in dolphin research—a field in which she remains active to this day.
Involvement in Research
Currently, Dr. Mann’s research bridges the fields of marine biology and psychology through the Shark Bay Dolphin Project in Western Australia and her Potomac-Chesapeake Dolphin Project. At Shark Bay, Dr. Mann and her team study the social and biological characteristics of bottlenose dolphins. Notably, their findings from the Shark Bay project comprise the majority of current knowledge on bottlenose dolphins. Recent findings from the Shark Bay team’s research include the discovery that bottlenose dolphins possess lifelong social traits and updated family tree maps of the dolphin population at Shark Bay. Dr. Mann’s Potomac-Chesapeake Dolphin Project, on the other hand, has a stronger focus on conservation. One of the team’s most important findings is that people are often more likely to make conservation efforts for a species if they are first introduced to individual animals of that species, such as the bottlenose dolphin.
Inspiration
Dr. Mann feels privileged to study another species and better understand their biological and social worlds. While inspired by Jane Goodall as a child, Dr. Mann now finds inspiration in the field of marine biology. In her work, Dr. Mann strives to understand animals not as a generalized species but “as individuals” with families and unique identities, explaining that it is “exciting to understand a complex species.” This perspective fuels Dr. Mann’s research and passion for teaching, as she also encourages students to explore the personalities of dolphins and other marine mammals.
Reflection
Dr. Mann is grateful for the transformative experiences her research has provided for both herself and her students over the years. She credits much of her success in psychobiological research to the constant support she has received from Georgetown University and the National Science Foundation. Moving forward, Dr. Mann remains dedicated to advancing our understanding of dolphins on an individual level and working to protect the threatened bottlenose dolphin population in the Potomac.
Advice for Students
Dr. Mann urges students to take full advantage of the expertise of faculty members at Georgetown, emphasizing the importance of engaging with experienced faculty and exploring research opportunities beyond the classroom. While the top-tier education at Georgetown is invaluable, she also believes that the “people are what make the place,” and getting involved in faculty research will be key to making the most of the Georgetown experience.