Match tier Listed
Presence Current · Arkansas
Last published 2021
Sources OpenAlex · ORCID
Refreshed 2026-08-20

Laura J. MacDonald

Federal Grant PI

Researcher

Also affiliated: Conway School of Landscape Design (2013–2021)

Unknown Researcher

3 h-index 8 pubs 38 cited

  • Animal Communication
  • Animals
  • Female
  • Lemur
  • Madagascar
  • Male
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Pheromones
  • Scent Glands
  • Multivariate Analysis

Biography and Research Information

OverviewAI-generated summary

Laura J. MacDonald's research has focused on understanding animal communication, particularly the role of chemical signals in lemur social behavior. She has investigated the use of scent glands and pheromones in lemur populations, employing techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze chemical compounds. Her work has examined differences in scent marking and chemical communication between male and female lemurs, utilizing multivariate analysis to interpret complex datasets.

In addition to her biological research, MacDonald is involved in educational initiatives. She received a significant National Science Foundation grant totaling $2,499,998 as PI for a project aimed at expanding the scientific workforce in rural areas through scholarships, belonging, and community investment. This project underscores a commitment to fostering scientific education and opportunity within underserved regions.

MacDonald's scholarship metrics indicate a developing research profile with an h-index of 3 across 8 publications, which have garnered 38 citations. She has collaborated with colleagues at Hendrix College, including William A. Gunderson and Julie Gunderson, on shared publications.

Metrics

  • h-index: 3
  • Publications: 8
  • Citations: 38

Selected Publications

  • Integrating Rubric-Based Metacognitive Reflection to Improve Scientific Research Presentations (2021)
    Journal of Chemical Education 8 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Using the Improvisational “Yes, and…” Approach as a Review Technique in the Student-Centered Biology Classroom (2016)
    Journal of Microbiology and Biology Education 3 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • The Role of Bacteria in Chemical Signals of Elephant Musth: Proximate Causes and Biochemical Pathways (2015)
    8 citations DOI OpenAlex
  • Relatedness communicated in lemur scent (2013)
    Die Naturwissenschaften 19 citations DOI OpenAlex

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Federal Grants 1 $2,499,998 total

Collaboration Network

2 Collaborators 2 Institutions 1 Country

Top Collaborators

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