Our Team

Dr. Kay Holekamp

Founder & Co-Director

University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University and founder of the MHP in 1988.

holekamplab.org ↗

Malit Benson Pion

Director of Operations

Oversees day-to-day logistics across both field camps, coordinating staff, supplies, and community relationships.

Dr. Zach Laubach

Co-Director

Studies how early-life social environments influence gene expression, stress physiology, and long-term fitness.

laubach.github.io ↗

Dr. Eli Strauss

Co-Director

Assistant Professor at Michigan State University studying how stable social systems emerge from diverse individuals.

straussed.github.io ↗

Dr. Kenna Lehmann

Co-Director

Studies the evolution and interdependence of sociality, communication, and cooperation in spotted hyenas.

Website ↗

Dr. Tracy Montgomery

Co-Director

Assistant Professor at Michigan State University studying how group-living animals cope with individual, social, and ecological demands in fluctuating environments.

Website ↗

Dr. Lily Johnson-Ulrich

Co-Director

Assistant Professor at Hunter College, CUNY studying the evolution of cognition and behavioral adaptation to urbanization.

Website ↗

Dee White

Data Manager

Manages the long-term relational database spanning over 35 years of individual-level behavioral and demographic data.

Kayla Fowler

Science Communications

Translates MHP research for public audiences and documents field activities through photography and written media.

Field Team

Our Kenyan field team has been the backbone of the MHP for many years. Each person brings dedication and commitment that keeps both camps running smoothly and the project alive in the field.