Rob Shumaker

About Rob Shumaker

Dr. Robert W. Shumaker is an evolutionary biologist who specializes in the study of behavior and cognition. He started his career at the Smithsonian National Zoo. During his 20-year tenure there, Dr. Shumaker worked as an animal keeper, curator, biologist, exhibit designer, and scientist. He spent several years at the Great Ape Trust in Des Moines, Iowa as the senior scientist supervising all research with orangutans. In 2010 he moved to the Indianapolis Zoo where he is now the President & CEO. Dr. Shumaker has been a faculty member at George Mason University and Drake University, and an affiliate faculty member at Iowa State University. He is an external research associate at the Krasnow Institute and an adjunct professor at Indiana University. Dr. Shumaker has authored or co-authored numerous scientific publications, books, and articles for the popular press. The third edition of Animal Tool Behavior will be published in November. His work has been featured in National Geographic, NPR, the Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, PBS, Time magazine, and the BBC.Dr. Shumaker serves on the science advisory board of the Balikpapan Orangutan Society (BOS) which is based in Indonesia, in the same capacity for BOS Canada in Toronto, and as a board member of the Orangutan Conservancy, based in the United States. Closer to home, he is a proud board member of Visit Indy. He is internationally recognized as an expert on animal tool behavior, primate behavior, primate cognition, and zoo design.

Experience

1. President & CEO

   Indianapolis Zoo

   Jan 2020 — Present · Indianapolis, IN, US

   Responsible for the management and supervision of the Indianapolis Zoological Society

Education

• George Mason University

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Evolutionary Biology

  2001

• George Mason University

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Biology/Biological Sciences, General

  1991

• George Mason University

  Master of Science - MS, Biology/Biological Sciences, General

  1997