Dr. Corinna Ross (Faculty)

There is something about marmosets—the pint-sized, furry, marshmallow treat-eating monkey that Assistant Professor of Biology Corinna Ross, Ph.D. cannot seem to get enough of. When she isn’t studying the behaviors of her adorable subjects, she often yearns to hear the friendly and recognizable high-pitched screeches they vocalize when they notice her. She has an undeniable passion and respect for marmosets, which are one of the smallest monkeys in the world.

Although Dr. Ross enjoys regular interactions with hundreds of monkeys, her research is not like a day at the zoo. Many of her highly-active study subjects live at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio in an area that closely mirrors their natural habitat. The marmosets live active lives while they cohabitate, socialize and eat nutritious foods.

Dr. Ross travels to the off-campus research site at least twice a week. There, she studies the aging and activity of marmosets. It is believed that primates age similarly to humans, which is one of the reasons why she and other animal scientists monitor their lives so closely.

One facet of her primate research is studying the use and effects of the FDA-approved pharmaceutical drug, Rapamycin, which was found to extend the lifespans of mice. If research shows the drug is safe and effective in primates, it may be used to expand the lives of canines and potentially humans. Dr. Ross has published several findings on the effects of Rapamycin on marmosets, and continues her research today.

At Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Dr. Ross teaches animal physiology, mammalogy, primatology and animal behavior. Her radiant passion for her work sparks the interest of students who often wish to work alongside her. A select few A&M-San Antonio student volunteers are actually able to perform research at the UT Health Science Center studying marmoset behaviors. She is proud that several of her former student workers have graduated and begun working in primate research.

Dr. Ross is the textbook definition of an animal lover. Her childhood dream was to move to a secluded area and live with primates—a Jane of the Jungle, if you will. Although she ultimately chose living in a home rather than in the trees, she is still proud that she lives out a part of her dream every day by working with lovable monkeys.